A cafe on the island of Lesvos at the Mytilene port has become a safe haven for stray dogs as the winter well and truly sets in.
A photograph of dogs laying across the cafe’s seating went viral last month, after University of the Aegean’s assistant professor of sociology, Eustratios Papanis, posted the image on Facebook.
“[Greece] has strict laws about animal protection, but culture and knowledge are the key factors for changing long-standing indifference, negligence or maltreatment,” wrote the assistant professor.
He went on to say that while on the island, the solidarity toward humans and animals that he witnessed “was remarkable”, attributing the shared island mentality to the influx of refugees from Syria and other Middle Eastern countries over the past year.
The owner of the cafe, Hott Spot, opens its doors to the local dogs each day at 3.00 am, allowing them to sit along the couches and sleep comfortably.
“In the city there are many dogs. When the bar closes each night, the dogs come and sleep here. We don’t have a problem,” a waiter told The Independent.
“From July, every night there is a dog on the couch,” they said,stating that customers don’t mind sharing the space.
Source: Buzz Feed