Veterinarians across Greece will launch a 24-hour strike Wednesday, January 17, over the pet law they described as “stupid” and “inapplicable” and does not solve the issue of stray animals in the country. The Panhellenic Association of Veterinarians calls its members on strike in protest of the new pet sterilization law in effect as of January 21, 2024.
The Panhellenic Veterinary Association opposes the mandatory sterilization of companion animals because it poses risks to their health. They also oppose the mandatory DNA test of companion animals and the fine of 150-euro to owners as well as the fact that veterinarians will no longer be allowed to treat animals that are not registered and have been supplied with microchip.
Note: for the DNA testa nd registration, the owner has to pay to the state a fee of 135 euros for each animal, 15 euros to the vet for obtaining genetic material plus the cost of sending the sample to the DNA bank, an additional expense, the law says it cannot be over 10 euros.
According to the PVA, such ‘measures’ do not eliminate the problem of stray animals -as the purpose of the additional legislation was claimed – but in contrary they make the situation worse.
They also demand “recognition of the health book as an official health certificate of companion animals, alongside the electronic book and passport.
Furthermore, they also ask for the staffing and funding of municipal veterinary clinics and shelters which are the only measure of care for strays.
In a statement, the Panhellenic Veterinary Association explained that it opposes the receiving and sending of genetic material from companion animals, demanding that no fines be imposed on them in the exercise of their medical duties.
This law moves in the wrong direction overall, the PVA stressed and noted:
• It is not going to contribute to the reduction of stray animals, while universal sterilization is a measure that goes against modern scientific data and can, as a practice, even be dangerous for a certain number of animals and cause the deterioration of their well-being.
• The ‘gray area’ resulting from the treatment of unmarked animals by veterinarians is unacceptable both for the health and welfare of the animals and for the working conditions in the veterinary clinics with the “boom” of interpretation of the law and the imposition of fines.
• The basis of keeping genetic material is a practically impractical measure and without any substantial utility in solving the problem of stray animals. Its aim is, on the one hand, the “photographic” disposal of public money and the tax collection treatment of pet owners.
• The new pet registry with e-passbook, as proposed to be implemented, adds unnecessary red tape and wastes examination time, making the vet the secretary of state.
Among others, the vets demand also a Value Added Tax for vaccines and medicine lower than 24%, pointing out that the high cost affects the animal’s and the public health due to the high cost for the owners.
Calling the law “stupid” the managing committee of the PVA stressed that “the law was drawn up by the most incompetent technocrats (officials of the Interior Ministry), unrelated to veterinary science who ignored most of the proposals of the PVA.” They spoke of a law “with a number of unscientific articles and “inapplicable” provisions that should be implemented.
It should be recalled that the Ministry of Agriculture had established a registry for companion animals already in 2015. But the clever Greek government had to start it a new and from the beginning and -why not? it’s the usual practice – give contracts and jobs to the ruling party friends.
PS Seriously?
Kitties rescued from the wild fires in Greece in 2018 and 2021
Vets can no longer treat rescue strays cats and dogs because they are not microchiped?
Have these ninkanpoops nothing better to do that implement what is tantamount to more fines on people (who love pets) and in so doing probably causie owners to abandon their pets because on the finances involved.
I am totally behind the vets on this one and hope they can get this nightmare thrown out.!
What next ? Veterinary police and fines for stray animals ? Stupid is the only word for this idea.
This is the thin end of a very large and very malevolent wedge.
So if I understand this correctly. People who are already suffering under brutal price rises and taxes are expected to sacrifice even more.
Up to 100 Euros for vaccinations and microchip. 100 Euros per animal for neutering. 150 Euros for DNA. Do these idiots think people will pay this when they can barely afford to feed their families. More likely they will leave the animals on the streets.
If a person has 100 goats and spends all day with them are they considered companion animals? Or even chickens if they are kept on private property?
goats, chicken, cows etc are not ‘companion animals’
I was being sarcastic but the stupidity of politicians should never be underestimated
is there an actual Greek Law that can be cited to prove that or is it just assumption?
that’ the law
So the answer is it’s just accepted, not an actual quotable Law.
jeesus, they refer to THE LAW!
When I heard the wonderful local vets were on strike today I knew it must be serious. So I searched to see what was happening.
Unbelievable what is being proposed for all the caring animal lovers who already spend much time and money looking after their own pets and helping strays.
I am unable to see how this will help stray animals in any positive way.
Usually I have little interest in strike action but on this occasion I fully support the vets. Thank you for taking a stand on behalf of all our furry friends
Full support for the vets action!! Many of them already does a huge voluntary work with the spade/nutre-programs! This “law” will not help with the stray animal problem, it will increase the number of strays instead…….Totally wrong!
This law is beyond stupid it is CRUEL, basically …vets can not treat a stray animal that doesn’t have a microchip, so dose this mean an injured animal ( say a car hit it) must suffer for days maybe before it dyes when it could have been saved. The tourists are not going to be happy, as many of them find strays and take them to a vet !!
What about neutering and treatment of animals by charities does this stop.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that – certainly most vets I know are still human beings – I expect many to comply with their hearts and ethical standpoints versus this latest particular perverse edict.
At the risk of repeating myself , Greece has an ongoing ecological disaster occurring right now , stray and unsupervised domestic non indidunous animals are destroying the natural habitat of Greece and the indidunous animals that live within that environment.
All the animal lovers are in effect only dog and cat lovers, they don’t care how cruel the attack on a wild bird or a hedgehog by a cat or a dog is, and for some inexpiable reason it doesn’t register or count in there minds. Probably because most own a cat or a dog, which munches it’s way through thousands of wild animals a year.
Time to wake up Greece because nobody above has a solution, do you.