If you’ve travelled to Greece, you’ll remember catching a glimpse of a stray cat or dog in an alleyway. You may have even stopped to take a photo of one against a whitewashed wall during your island holiday. But the reality of life for these street animals is far from idyllic. Even if they survive the scorching heat of summer and the severe drop in temperatures during winter, they still have to contend with their biggest threat of all – people.
“Looking into animal welfare issues in Greece is not for the meek,” says Chrisanthy Efstathiou, one of the organisers of the Penny Marathon, a 42-kilometre run held every year in Athens to raise awareness of the plight of stray cats and dogs.
“Trying to help these animals is a harrowing experience. You often feel alone and desperate and there is a huge sense of despair because there is no support and no light at the end of the tunnel.”
In addition to the casual Greek practice of dumping a cat or dog onto the street when the owner has a change of heart, Chrisanthy says it is just as common to come across stories of abuse and neglect, with animals chained up to a post in the middle of nowhere without food, water or shelter or left on an apartment balcony for an entire lifetime.
But there’s also the relaxed attitude that many Greeks have towards poisoning, shooting and torturing these animals. “It’s not fiction,” adds Chrisanthy. “These people then post their photos on Facebook as a way to document their trophy killing. It is sickening and disturbing but this is the reality.”
There are strict laws that exist in Greece for animal abuse violations. “I think this is one of the avenues we can use to create some change,” says Marilia Karamani, one of the founders of Filozoiki Oikonomiki Voitheia, a group run by (and for) Greek animal welfare volunteers.
“The laws are there, we just now need to convince the authorities and the community that this abuse is a crime that needs to be punished. The system needs to be used as a legitimate way to get justice, however long it takes,” she explains.
In addition to promoting legal recourse, Marilia believes there needs to be a greater emphasis on promoting what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour towards companion animals. “When it comes to neutering or spaying an animal, a Greek will fight you tooth and nail that it is against nature, and then they’ll dump their pet once a litter is on its way. This can mean 20 new pups or kittens on the street just from this one animal in one year.”
As is the case with many animal shelters around the world, Greek shelters (many of which are set up by volunteers and self-funded) are filled to the brim with animals looking to find a home. “Greeks are more likely to buy a so-called full-breed from a puppy mill. We need to promote the benefits of stray adoption and to understand that we have a moral responsibility to give these unwanted animals a chance at life,” notes Marilia.
Chrisanthy and Marilia are among hundreds of animal welfare volunteers across Greece who fill the void that is government incompetence and community indifference. These volunteers sacrifice their time, energy and their small income to help. The Penny Marathon, which will take place on 14 July this year in both Athens and Sydney, is a way to acknowledge their struggle and contribution and raise awareness of the issues faced by Greece’s stray, abused and neglected cats and dogs.
For more information and to make a donation, log onto ‘The Penny Marathon 2012’ on Facebook. The marathon is proudly supported by KAE International Euromovers, Lea’s World Travel and Neos Kosmos.