Greek municipalities advance stray animal welfare initiatives

Greek municipalities are implementing various initiatives to manage and protect stray animals. In Kozani, Mayor Giannis Kokkalias addressed the Municipal Council regarding the resignation of special collaborator Kelly Stefanidou. While the resignation was attributed to personal reasons, the Mayor emphasized that the stray animal management program, which includes an independent office established in November 2023, will continue without interruption. He noted that previous budget allocations focused on increasing sterilization efforts and enhancing services.

In Drama, the Municipality organized a large-scale awareness event at Agia Varvara to promote animal welfare and responsible ownership. The event featured speeches from legal experts and veterinarians, animal training demonstrations, and adoption presentations. Nikolaos Chrysakis, Special Secretary of the Ministry of Interior for the Protection of Companion Animals, attended the event and highlighted the importance of such awareness campaigns. The initiative also included a three-day mass sterilization program aimed at reducing the overpopulation of stray animals.