After an acrimonious public consultation, the bill on animal welfare that will be put to a vote in Parliament this week provides incentives for owners to neuter their pets but does not make it mandatory as stated in the original draft.
ANIMAL PROTECTION
A visitor reads a panel on the protected Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) at the public information center of the Alonissos Marine Park on the northwestern Aegean island, on Saturday.
![[Giannis Vergos]](https://www.ekathimerini.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/storks_karla_web-320x200.jpg)
As part of the effort to protect white storks, which are an endangered species in Greece, 39 chicks from the area of Lake Karla were ringed this week.
Despite the admittedly hefty fines for animal abuse, reaching up to 30,000 euros, most culprits are still, reportedly, avoiding punishment, according to activists.
The contentious draft bill concerning pet welfare is expected to be voted on in the Greek Parliament this week but there may be changes to certain articles as suggested by the Interior Ministry following strong reactions.
Greek police on Tuesday arrested a man in the city of Volos, Magnesia, for allegedly killing a cat.
Thousands of wild animals have been left without food and water after a fire in a nature conservation area west of Athens, environmentalists say.
![[Yorgos Karahalis/AP]](https://www.ekathimerini.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Dogs-320x200.png)
Several hundred dog owners and their pets gathered Sunday outside Greece’s Parliament in protest against a draft law that will make sterilization of household pets — especially cats and dogs — mandatory.
The debate continued this week on a new bill on pets and the rights of stray animals that was put to public consultation last week.
New legislation on pet ownership and the rights of stray animals that has been put to public consultation seeks to make animal abuse a felony and to introduce a more comprehensive supervisory framework.
A Greek conservation NGO has called on the Environment Ministry to take measures to end the illegal hunting of turtle doves in springtime.
![A specialist collects a swab sample from a rabbit at a laboratory of the Federal centre for animal health during the development of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease for animals, in Vladimir, Russia, in December. [Reuters]](https://www.ekathimerini.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rabbit_reuters-320x200.jpg)
Russia has registered the world’s first vaccine for animals against Covid-19, its agricultural regulator said on Wednesday, after tests showed it generated antibodies against the virus in dogs, cats, foxes and mink.
Elephants have a keen nose. They have more smell receptors than any mammal – including dogs – and can sniff out food that is several miles away. A new study tests their ability to distinguish between similar smelling plants.
The Greek government is in the process of drafting a new framework for the care and protection of pets and strays and if its legislators are looking for some inspiration, Syros may be a good place to start.
It's feeding time at Greece's only zoo, and a capuchin monkey grabs as many mandarins as it can — even tucking one into his long, supple tail. It might be wise to stock up.
As part of the bid by the Athens municipality to provide care for stray animals, a digital platform has been activated, www.animalscityofathens.gr, where members of the public can state where and how they wish to offer voluntary assistance.
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