Emergency Contacts & Legal Information
As a small team of volunteers, Animal Welfare Karpathos is, unfortunately, not able to assist with all the emergencies. We receive a large number of requests daily, as the island has more than 3000 stray cats. Kitten season is between March to September every year, and during that time you will notice many kittens around the island.
For this reason, if you find an injured animal we kindly ask that you contact the veterinarians first (listed below). Please capture the animal safely if possible and transport it to one of the two local vets. Please note, that during the summer months, when all the volunteers work, our small team may not be able to assist with the transport of animals to the vet. AWK is able to cover expenses for the medical treatment of animals through donations. It is important that once you take the animal to the vet the local vets call one of our board members while you are there for cost approval. If you send us messages via email or Facebook please make sure to include photos (always) and the exact location of where the animal was found.
If you witness animal abuse/neglect cases please contact the police department first. Following that, you can also send images to our email (info@AnimalWelfareKarpathos.com) or Facebook page. For successful reporting of an animal abuse case, it is important that you note the exact location of the animal and that you have evidence (photos and videos). Reporting an animal abuse case is free of charge and it can be done directly at the police station in Pigadia. By law, the police are obligated to investigate the matter immediately, remove the animal from the abusive environment and take appropriate legal actions against the owner. Reports can be filed anonymously or you can give your information. The animal welfare law in Greece is strict, so please take action if you see any abuse.
Police Department of Karpathos
Tel.: +30 22450 22222
Fax: +30 22450 22223
Commander, Tel.: 22450 22223
Officer in charge, Tel.: 22450 22224
Location: Pigadia city, next to the Vardaoulis pharmacy.
Google Maps location: https://goo.gl/maps/sDt3D27DkA4NUEVKA
Veterinarian Elias Pochos
Veterinarian Elias Pochos is a graduate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and keeps an animal clinic in Pigadia, Karpathos. He offers high-quality services with professionalism, responsibility, and above all love for your pet.
Mobile Phone Number: +30 6984288815
Work Phone Number: +30 22450- 29001
Website: http://www.veterinarycenterkarpathos.gr/index.php?l=en
Email: iliaspochos@hotmail.com
Location: Pigadia city, Neohori area - across from the elementary school.
Google Maps Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FhsBq8sGVYEjoGDe7
Veterinarian Dina Lahanas
Veterinarian Dina Lahanas is a graduate of the University of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences in Romania and keeps an animal clinic in Pigadia, Karpathos.
Her office is located near Hair by Nia.
Mobile Phone Number: +30 6979266755
Work Phone Number: +30 22450-23050
Email: dlahana89@gmail.com
Greek Laws: Strays & Animal Abuse
Important articles of the law 4039/12 that you need to be aware of
REPORTING ANIMAL ABUSE: According to Greek laws 4039/2012 article 16, animal abuse and neglect are criminal actions punishable by law with up to 5 years jail time and fines up to 30,000 Euros (in some cases fines are higher). If you witness animal abuse you should notify the police immediately and mention the law. There is no fee to report animal abuse as animal cruelty is considered an ex officio prosecuted crime. Police are required by law to investigate any and all reports of animal abuse. Examples of animal abuse: food poisonings, leaving animals tied in open fields, terraces, or other outdoor areas for extended periods of time, hanging, dog fights, intentional injury of animals, intentional killing of animals.
FEEDING OF STRAY ANIMALS: Under the same law (4039/2012, article 9 section 10), citizens and visitors are allowed to feed and care for strays as long as they follow hygiene protocols. The law protects you from any action while you are caring for animals in need. If anyone threatens or harasses you, please report the incident to the police immediately by mentioning the law (number 4039/2012, article 9). Please provide the police with detailed information and request a hard copy-proof that your report has been officially recorded.
Σημαντικά άρθρα του Νόμου 4039/12 για την προστασία των αδέσποτων και δεσποζόμενων ζώων
ΣΙΤΙΣΗ ΑΔΕΣΠΟΤΩΝ: Με βάση το ν. 4039/12 (άρθρο 9), οι εθελοντές που ταΐζουν και μεριμνούν για τα αδέσποτα του νησιού μας δεν θα πρέπει να ενοχλούνται από κανέναν δημότη ή επισκέπτη. Εάν κάποιος δημότης δέχεται απειλές ενώ φροντίζει αδέσποτα μπορεί να καταγγείλει το περιστατικό στην αστυνομία μαζί με τα στοιχεία του ατόμου που τον/την απειλεί και αναφέροντας το νόμο 4039/12.
ΚΑΚΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΖΩΩΝ: Βάση του ν. 4039/2012 (άρθρο 16) η κακοποίηση των ζώων αποτελεί αυτεπάγγελτα διωκόμενο έγκλημα που διώκεται με τη διαδικασία του αυτοφώρου. Το διοικητικό πρόστιμο για την κακοποίηση κάθε ζώου μπορεί να αγγίξει τις 30.000€ ενώ προβλέπεται και ποινή φυλάκισης έως και 3 έτη. Σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις τα πρόστιμα και οι ποινές είναι υψηλότερα. Εάν είστε μάρτυρες συμβάντος κακοποίησης ζώου μπορείτε να καταγγείλετε το περιστατικό στην αστυνομία και να καταθέσετε και αποδεικτικά στοιχεία (βίντεο, φωτογραφίες, δείγμα φόλας κ.α). Παραδείγματα κακοποίησης ζώων: τοποθέτηση δηλητηριασμένου φαγητού (φόλες), μόνιμη αλυσόδεση σκύλου σε αυλή, δέντρα, μόνιμη εγκατάλειψη σε χωράφια, μπαλκόνια ή ταράτσες, υποσιτισμός, χτυπήματα, θανάτωση, απαγχονισμοί κ.α.
More Information about Strays & Animal Abuse
Strays
Animal Abuse
Under the Greek law (Article 16, Law 4039/2012 & Article 1, Law 1197/1981) any of the following acts is considered animal abuse:
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A registered non-for-profit in Karpathos, Greece