A praiseworthy initiative for the adoption of stray animals by the Municipality of Pylaia-Hortiatis in Thessaloniki, northern Greece: Residents who adopt a stray cat or dog from the municipal strays management program will have a discount of 10% in municipality fees.
The financial incentive to citizens aims to combat the uncontrollable increase of stray animals in the municipality.
Specifically, the municipality will provide a 10% discount on municipal fees to citizens – residents of the Municipality who adopt a dog or cat, through the municipal stray animal management program.
“We are putting into practice another of our pre-election commitments, the reduction of municipal fees to the maximum percentage allowed by the new Law,” said Mayor Ignation Kaitezidis announcing the program.
“Our Municipality is once again a pioneer nationwide, actively recognizing the social sensitivity of those who open the door of their home to God’s creatures,” the Mayor added.
“Encouraging citizens to adopt a companion animal directly contributes to addressing the problem, in a sustainable and humane way. The reduction of municipal fees reflects the principle of reciprocity. The citizen who actively contributes to solving a social issue is also entitled to a corresponding relief, a thank you. Modern animal-friendly management requires the cooperation of the Municipality and citizens,” the Mayor stressed.
“The citizen who takes care of an animal that was living on the street contributes substantially by relieving the Municipality’s services of part of the cost and responsibility. Tackling the issue of stray animals requires social participation and incentives that reinforce positive behaviors with the primary focus on the well-being of companion animals,” said the Deputy Mayor for Cleanliness, Environment & Recycling of the Municipal Council of Chortiatis and Responsible for the Management of Stray Pets, Vivian Lioliou.
The official adoption of strays requires also a sterilization of the animals which is a necessity to decrease the number of abandoned animals in the streets across Greece
