China News Service, April 21. According to the Greek "China Greek Times" report on the 20th, the Athens government of Greece soon began to operate the first modern standardized stray animal sanctuary.

According to the announcement, this shelter will have the capacity to accommodate up to 90 stray dogs.

The infrastructure will include spacious courtyards and recreational facilities to enable staff to house stray animals under decent and safe conditions.

In addition, a few days ago, the Greek Prime Minister adopted a stray dog ​​as the first "Prime Minister's pet dog" in the Prime Minister's Office, and the President also adopted a cat last year.

Data map: A cat strolling on an empty commercial street in Athens, Greece.

Athens takes a series of measures to rescue stray animals

　　According to reports, the shelter that will start operations was named "Socrates Refuge" by the Athens government to commemorate one of the most popular stray dogs who lived in the center of Athens but died in an unfortunate accident.

The Urban Act team and artists organized "Colorful Life" and created exquisite graffiti in the shelter.

　　According to reports, the shelter will be equipped with 24-hour security guards, and five staff will work with volunteer trainers and citizen volunteers who take care of animals to clean and feed the dogs every day.

　　The shelter will also include a room with household furniture, which will help stray dogs become familiar with the family's living environment as soon as possible after being adopted.

　　The city of Athens will have a number of measures to rescue and support stray animals, including the launch of a brand-new website, in the hope that Internet users can obtain adoption procedures and related information through social media in a timely manner.

　　Staff from the Animal Welfare Department and dozens of volunteers work in various parts of the city every day to disinfect and care for stray animals.

So far, they have adopted 420 dogs and 70 cats, and neutered 1,160 animals. Among them, 614 dogs and 1,400 cats have received medical treatment.

　　Regarding the question of recruiting volunteers, so far, 600 volunteer applications have been received on the volunteer registration platform of the Athens government.

　　In addition, the municipality is implementing a large-scale plan to install small cat houses in the cat district near Athens.

At present, 16 huts for stray cats have been installed in various areas of the city, as well as 60 feeders and water bowls for raising stray animals.

Stray dogs adopted by the Prime Minister of Greece and cats adopted by the President of Greece.

Image source: screenshots of social media sites.

The President Raises Cats The Premier Raises Dogs

　　On the other hand, a few days ago, the Prime Minister of Greece adopted a stray dog ​​as the first "Prime Minister's pet dog" in the Prime Minister's Office.

　　Greek Prime Minister Mizotakis announced on social platforms on April 18 that he adopted a stray dog ​​and named it "Peanuts."

Mizotakis posted pictures and texts on social platforms and wrote: "Peanuts have come into our lives! Two weeks ago on International Stray Animals Day, when we visited the Animal Welfare Association in Iliopoli, it chose Up to us."

　　Mizotakis also called on the public to "open your arms and save the wanderers (animals)!"

　　Before the Greek Prime Minister adopted "Peanuts", Greek President Sacraropoulou adopted the first cat "Calypso" in 2020.

When Sacraropoulou visited Karpathos Island on October 4, 2020, during a visit to the local animal protection organization, she fell in love with a kitten at first sight and later adopted it.

　　According to reports, during the worst period of the epidemic, the Greek government did not forget to help these stray animals who depend on humans for their survival.

Greece, which formally implemented a national blockade on March 22, issued a government announcement four days later: The Federation of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDE) published an application form for feeding stray animals on its website and social media pages to provide them with It is used by people who want to leave home to feed stray animals.

KEDE said that the form needs to be signed by the local government where the feeder lives, and it must be carried with the feeder when feeding the animal.

　　Later, in order to prevent cruelty to animals, the authorities established an "Animal Police Protection" organization, and imposed heavy fines and imprisonment on those who abused animals.