If you’re visiting Greece soon, there’s one thing you’ll likely notice right away: there are cats everywhere. They are one of the country’s trademarks and one of the best parts about going to Greece, especially if you’re a cat lover.

But why are there so many cats throughout the country? Unfortunately, most of the cats you’ll see in Greece are feral and spend all of their time on the streets. Read on to get the low-down on the cats in Greece situation.

Why Are There So Many Cats in Greece?

As mentioned above, most cats you’ll see on your vacation to Greece are stray or feral. Before Greece became part of the European Union in the 1980s, little attention was paid to the steadily increasing stray and feral cat population. At the time, neutering was seen as an unnatural procedure, so most people who owned pet cats didn’t bother to have them neutered, further adding to the steadily growing population of cats on the street.

Unfortunately, these animals were not seen as valuable; instead, they were treated as vermin, often being neglected, abused, and even killed.

How Do the Cats Get Treated Now?

Thankfully, the strays in Greece are treated much better now than they were in the 1980s. When Greece became part of the European Union (EU), the government was pressured to follow the Union’s animal welfare laws. Simultaneously, the way the citizens of the country viewed cats began to shift to be more compassionate toward the animals.

Though the government officials didn’t do much to reduce the stray population, the country’s people began creating shelters and setting up feeding stations, essentially unofficially adopting them as a community. It isn’t uncommon to see outdoor areas with food and water bowls placed out to help support these unhoused kitties. Even restaurant and store owners will buy cat food and leave it out for them. It’s truly a group effort to provide these animals with life necessities.

Does Greece Have Organizations to Help These Cats?

In the United States and Canada, we have humane societies and other non-profit organizations that work to eliminate animal cruelty, end suffering, and reduce pet populations. Greece has its own animal welfare organizations in place to reduce the stray cat population.

Nine Lives, founded in 2006, is a network of volunteers dedicated to reducing the number of strays through a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program in Athens. The organization neuters and spays over 1,700 strays annually and improves the lives of 500 street cats with their feeding programs and by providing them with veterinary care.

There are even organizations outside of Greece dedicated to bettering the lives of the cats in the country. Take the Greek Cat Welfare Society, for example. Since 1992, this UK-based organization has been promoting the care and welfare of Greek cats. They mainly focus on neutering colonies to reduce breeding via TNR programs; however, they also arrange for regular feedings and provide veterinary care for sick or injured cats.

What to Do if a Cat Approaches You in Greece

What is a traveler to do if approached by a cat on their vacation in Greece? Well, it depends.

If you encounter a litter of young kittens, do not move or pick them up. Their mother is likely nearby and has not abandoned them.

If you are, for some reason, concerned about the litter, please get in touch with a local animal welfare group. The Greek Cat Welfare Society has a comprehensive list on its website organized by area. While these groups may not be able to help immediately, they can often offer advice and support.

If you come across a sick or injured cat, you can take it to the nearest veterinarian. Again, the list linked above will help put you in contact with a veterinarian close to you.

Ask your travel rep or the locals in your area whether it is acceptable to feed the strays and where you can safely do so. Some businesses, especially restaurants and taverns, do not welcome cats and will be unhappy if you feed them nearby.

The best way to help the cats in Greece is by buying dry cat food and donating it to the local cat welfare group.

Can I Adopt a Greek Street Cat?

According to animal welfare laws in Greece, all street animals are under the municipality’s care. You’ll need permission from the city before taking a cat off the street, as it may be seen as an offense otherwise.

If you get permission, your next step is to take the cat to a local veterinarian to ensure he has no microchip, as he may already have a home if he is chipped. The vet can also inform you of the local stray program and whether an animal welfare organization is already caring for this cat.

Before removing a cat from the country, you must pay for vaccinations and microchipping. A pet passport will likely also need to be issued.

Another consideration is whether your adoption is doing this cat a service. You may think that you’re saving this animal’s life from the hardships of street living, but you need to remember that this is the only thing he has ever known, and other problems can arise from bringing home a street cat.

Final Thoughts

The seemingly infinite number of cats in Greece makes it a cat lover’s dream destination. If you’ll be traveling to the country soon, don’t be surprised if you’re greeted at every destination by a friendly, well-fed, and happy street cat. Though these strays were once considered vermin, they’re generally well taken care of by the various animal welfare organizations nationwide.

• See also: Why Are There So Many Cats In Istanbul?

Featured Image Credit: dinosmichail, Shutterstock