Are Cats In Greece Safe? In addition, poisoning, hurting or neglecting stray animals, be that cats or dogs, is against the law in Greece. If you see abuse happening, call the police!

Does Greece have a cat problem? In contrast with Northern Europe and the United States, where cats are expected to belong to someone or they are often considered a nuisance, stray cats are regarded as a natural co-habitant in Greece. They truly are community cats! The temperate climate and abundance of food makes it easy for them to survive.

Do cats have rabies in Greece? There is no record of rabies in cats in Greece since the 1970s.

What happens to the cats in Greece? Greece and the Greek islands are inundated with stray, abandoned and feral cats. The majority of them are born in the spring and survive through the kindness of tourists who feed them. At the end of the summer season the tourists leave, and some cats survive through the kindness of local Greeks.





Why do cats roam free in Greece?

Since there are no harsh winters in Greece, this makes it easy for the cat to survive. In certain parts of Greece, they are able to easily find food, shelter, and water, and they are often helped by the kindness of humans.

Is Greece overrun with cats?

Cats of Greece – cats are commonplace in Greece. They are well taken care of by the community and very friendly. You can even pet them if you wish!

How can I avoid cats in Greece?

Cats are everywhere in Greece and people make the mistake off squinting their eyes when cats are around , its like saying to a cat “Hello pleased to meet you” . Just ignore them and don’t make eye contact and they will go away.

Can I take a cat home from Greece?

If you take a shine to a specific cat that you’d like to bring back from Greece then it might be a little tricky. Stray cats come under the authority of local municipalities, and you would need their permission to adopt a stray from the street.

How did cats get to Greece?

We cannot of course forget the fact that the Minoans, Mycenaeans, Etruscans and Tarentines had already obtained the domestic cat from the Egyptians through their trade, giving the animal, even though still rare, a foothold in both Greece, its surrounding islands and Italy.

How much are cat vaccinations in Greece?

The cost is usually around 100-150 euros for the cat’s ‘ticket’ to travel. And the anti-rabies vaccine and microchip cost from 50 euros upwards, depending on the vet’s price list.

Are there big cats in Greece?

According to historians, by the year 70 the giant cats were restricted to northern Greece, in the area between the rivers Aliakmon and Nestus. By the year 100 they became extinct in Eastern Europe as well.

Why are there so many strays in Greece?

Animal charities say there are now more than a million strays in Greece because people are simply abandoning pets they can no longer afford to keep. There are fears it could lead to the spread of disease if the problem is not tackled soon, as Emilia Papadopoulos reports.

How many stray cats are in Greece?

The cat population in Greece was measured at approximately 600 thousand in 2020.

What happens to street cats?

Stray cats may be reunited with their families or adopted into new homes, but feral cats will find it difficult or impossible to adapt to living as pets in close contact with people.

Which countries have stray cats?

China (53 million) China is home to around 53 million cats. China, having the third largest pet industry in the world, definitely has a substantial pet cat population. However, besides pet cats, the stray and feral cat population of the country is also skyrocketing, with Beijing alone having thousands of stray cats.

Are there stray cats in Athens Greece?

The country has one of the largest stray feline and canine populations in the world, with the problem becoming ever more acute during the country’s prolonged debt crisis. Animal rights activists estimate that Athens alone may have as many as 2 million street cats and dogs.

Why are there so many cats in Turkey?

The rise of cats in Istanbul dates back to the people who settled the city, the Ottomans. The mighty Ottomans worshipped cats based on their cleanliness and their ability to hunt. As a result of their long history with cats, felines have become an essential part of Turkish culture and the city of Istanbul.

Can I adopt a Greek cat?

It is the most unusual yet the most significant memento a traveler can bring home from his holidays: a pet. The rise in the number of visitors that adopt a cat during their vacation in Greece has been noticed in the past couple of years.

Where can I see cats in Greece?

Some of the best places to see the cats in Greece are Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Crete.

Can you pet stray cats in Greece?

If you see a cat that looks very ill or injured, don’t hesitate to contact the nearest vet or animal welfare group. In addition, poisoning, hurting or neglecting stray animals, be that cats or dogs, is against the law in Greece.

Is Greece pet friendly?

The most important thing you should know when you travel with your dog in Greece, is that pets are allowed on the beach, but always on a leash. On free (not organized) beaches, the animal can stay or walk but must always be accompanied and tied with a leash – pets in Greece can’t run freely when they are on a beach.

Are there any poisonous animals in Greece?

The Ohia snake is the most dangerous animal in Greece because, not only is their venomous and potentially fatal, but they are very common in Greece. You are more likely to encounter this creature than a shark or a brown bear, which makes the risk of an attack unsurprisingly higher.