In early March, we learned of the horrific conditions in a municipal shelter located in Sparta and the atrocities happening there. On 21st February, Save a Greek Stray filed a lawsuit against the local authority which led to the Deputy Mayor and two shelter managers being arrested for animal cruelty. They remained in custody until they paid bail and are currently awaiting trial. The padlocks of the shelter were unlocked for rescuers to intervene and what they found is something no animal should ever experience – dead, dying, starving and sick dogs living in filthy conditions, with no space, or access to food or water. Many of the dogs were just skeletons, and most of the areas they lived in did not have a concrete floor, but just soil that was mostly covered with faeces and urine which turned into mud when it rained.

 

Organisations all over Greece have come together to provide supplies, transport dogs to vets, and clean the shelter. 44 of the sickest dogs who required urgent attention were transported to Athens and are being treated at veterinary clinics, sadly two have passed away. Animal welfare groups Zero Stray Pawject, Strays Sparta Greece and local volunteers have spent weeks helping with the huge clean up project. Zero Stray Pawject sent their Director, Stamatina Stamatakou, to lead the project, providing veterinary care (sterilisation, vaccinations, deworming etc) and improving the shelter conditions, with the help of vet, Nefeli-Sotiria Sinou, and two veterinary nurses. On Friday 4th our Animal Welfare Programmes Manager, Serafina, travelled to the shelter in a hired van filled with supplies, including €1,200 Bravecto tablets to treat the dogs for parasites such as fleas and ticks.