About stray dogs in Athens

Athens is a city known for its history and culture, but it also faces an ongoing challenge with stray dogs. It is estimated that over 20,000–30,000 stray dogs live in the wider Athens area, roaming streets, parks, and neighbourhoods without regular access to food, shelter, or medical care. Across Greece as a whole, the number is even more alarming, with more than 100,000 stray dogs nationwide, many of them concentrated in large urban centres such as Athens. Although these animals are often overlooked, stray dogs are part of everyday life in the city and deserve care and protection. This website aims to raise awareness about their situation, share information about the causes of the problem, and encourage people to get involved in helping them.

Many of these dogs struggle to survive due to abandonment, lack of veterinary care, and harsh living conditions, especially during extreme heat in summer or cold and rain in winter. One of the main roots of the problem is pet abandonment, with thousands of dogs left behind each year when owners are no longer able or willing to care for them. In many cases, pets are adopted without fully understanding the long-term responsibility involved, which can last 10–15 years or more. When dogs grow older or when families’ circumstances change, animals are often abandoned and forced to survive on the streets. Another major factor is the lack of spaying and neutering, which leads to uncontrolled breeding; a single unsterilised female dog can give birth to two litters per year, resulting in dozens of puppies over a few years, many of whom end up homeless. Economic difficulties also contribute significantly, as some families cannot afford food, veterinary treatment, or shelter for their pets, particularly during periods of financial crisis. Finally, limited awareness and education about responsible pet ownership continue to fuel the cycle, as many people underestimate the time, cost, and commitment required to care for a dog. Together, these factors create an ongoing problem that continues to increase the number of stray dogs in Athens—making awareness, action, and support more important than ever.