Greek Animals
Animal abuse is widespread in greece and includes starvation, neglect, cruelty and poisoning. Poisoning of both strays and pet animal happens every day; documents reports are abundant and have been show on greek television. Poisoning is indiseriminate, and can affect children, adults and animals alike. Offenders must be prosecuted and fined for this illegal activity. Given the current frequency of poisoning cases, it is also a concern that the number will increase as the country prepares to host the olympics 2004 and the presence of stray animals on the street is unwanted. It is also common practice in Greece to abandon uwanted pets and hundreds of thousands of such animals roam parks, streets and forests all over Greece. The majority of these animal are not spayed or neutered due to widespread unawareness of the benefits of sterilization.
The answer is not to place these animals in shelters. Welfare conditions in existiong municipal shelters are oppalling and rather than solve the problem they simply perpetuate the suffering of these unfortunate animals. Furthermore adoption figures are low resulting in overerowded shelters with enormous running costs. Municipalities must set up neutering centers now and re-release the neutered, Vaccinated animals to the animals can follow up and feed them. Tourists are horrified at the suffering they see whilst on holiday in Greece, Many vowing never to return. Many Greeks are also concerned and are working hard to improve the situation but with little or no support from the autorities.