Less than half of the country’s 332 municipalities have applied for funding to build a shelter for accommodation for pets. At the same time, few of the existing municipal shelters they have a license to operate. New Joint Ministerial Decision (JMA) which was released last week, defines the requirements for the establishment and operation of shelters by municipalities, individuals or animal welfare organizations.

All over Greece there are many small shelters run by volunteers that accept abandoned dogs and cats in need of care, which are a substitute for state care and which of course do not meet the necessary criteria, since they rely on the self-sacrifice of some and do not have funding. The regulation and tightening of work rules has alarmed volunteers who fear they will have to close their premises at night.

RS. Marianti DimopoulouSpecial Secretary for Pet Welfare, Ministry of the Interior, talking to “K” emphasizes that “under no circumstances will we open the door of the place where animals are kept and leave them on the street. Under no circumstances will host animals be relocated. The site may be sealed off because it is unusable, but that means it will not be able to accept new animals. Those who are already placed will be tried to be given up for adoption or they will continue to stay in the area.”

The Special Secretary leaves open the possibility that, in the future, animal welfare organizations will be given funding to set up shelters. “We thought about it, but first the register of animal protection organizations operating in the country should be filled in, and there should be a complete picture. Once registered, efforts will be made to support the work of animal lovers,” he clarifies.

As part of the Philodimos program for municipalities, each municipality with a population of more than 3,000 has been given funding to build a pet shelter. The program is closed (ss and there are no plans to open a new one in the near future) and about half of the country’s municipalities have applied for funding, while the rest have not shown interest. The total approved amount (until December 5) reaches 8,156,000 euros, but the consideration of applications continues. It is noted that municipalities can either build a shelter themselves, or cooperate with a private individual or an animal welfare association.

Based on the results of the checks carried out so far, the municipalities of Larissa, Heraklion, Veria and Alexandroupolis have received licenses to accommodate pets.

As Ms. Dimopoulou points out, shelters that want to adopt abroad must, in addition to obtaining a license, also be approved by the state so that the animals are taken out following specific and legal procedures.

Based on what is provided in the new KYA, the establishment of a shelter requires prior authorization, which is issued by decision of the competent veterinary authority of the relevant region/regional unit within which the shelter will be established. The creation and operation of shelters is allowed outside the boundaries of residential development. However, they must be located at a distance of up to five kilometers from the edge of the settlement and have a convenient access. In order to be approved for establishment, the municipality’s application must be accompanied by a technical report that will accurately describe the areas to be created (infrastructure/buildings), the type and number of animals that will live in the shelter, and a description of the equipment for feeding, water supply, and also a way to collect wastewater. The KYA also determines penalties for violations and at the same time determines how shelters will be monitored.