As dozens of daily earthquakes continue to rattle the Cycladic island of Santorini, more than 11,000 people have fled their homes, leaving parts of the island deserted. However, concerns are growing over the welfare of the island’s animals, including the world-renowned Santorini donkeys.

Local Animal Welfare Efforts

Despite the ongoing tremors, two dedicated animal welfare organizations, Stray Paws and the Santorini Animal Welfare Association (SAWA), remain on the island to care for its animals.

SAWA, active since 1992, shelters a variety of animals, including dogs, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, mules, and birds. The organization has reassured the public that their facilities are secure, consisting of lightweight structures such as containers and wooden stables with no heavy obstacles nearby. To prepare for a worst-case scenario, they have begun reinforcing certain areas to ensure all animals can be safely housed indoors.

(ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΤΖΟΥΜΑΣ/EUROKINISSI)

Stray Paws, a smaller organization currently operated by a single person, focuses on rescuing, vaccinating, neutering, feeding stray dogs as well as facilitating adoptions and foster placements. In their Facebook announcement the organization explains:

“The earthquakes continue to worry us every day. Over 11,000 people have left the island and more people are still leaving..

But we do not intend to leave. We are always standby and in addition to the 53 dogs at the shelter, we also take care of feeding every day, the stray animals living on the streets.

Along with us, other people have also stayed on the island who volunteer to help feed the strays, and this is very important.

The need for dry food never stops. The need for adoptions too.”

How You Can Help

Speaking with To Vima International Edition, Myrto Bougiouka, who runs Stray Paws, stated that while there are strays on the island, there has not been a noticeable increase in abandoned animals due to the earthquakes. However, she emphasized the need for adoptions and donations for dog food to support their work.

SAWA, in a recent statement, affirmed their commitment to staying on the island, as relocating larger animals—including elderly, injured donkeys, mules, horses, pigs, goats, birds, and fearful dogs—is not an option. However, they urgently need to free up space in their shelter to accommodate any newly abandoned animals. To this end, they are actively seeking adopters and foster homes for their dogs.

Snapshot from the shelter for stray and abused animals of the Santorini Animal Welfare Association (SAWA), Thursday, February 6, 2025. (ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΤΖΟΥΜΑΣ/EUROKINISSI)

Snapshot from the Santorini Animal Welfare Association (SAWA) shelter, February 6, 2025. (Kostas Tzoumas/EUROKINISSI)

Snapshot from the Santorini Animal Welfare Association (SAWA) shelter, February 6, 2025. Credit: Kostas Tzoumas/Eurokinissi

Wider Support from Animal Welfare Groups

The Panhellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation has sent an urgent letter to the Ministries of Interior and Rural Development & Food, as well as the Municipality of Santorini, calling for immediate inspections across the island. Their request includes ensuring that all animals have access to food, water, shelter, and safe open spaces.

Meanwhile, the Athens-based organization Dogs’ Voice, which has over 70,000 supporters, has already sent dog and cat food to Santorini. They have also offered additional assistance, including crates and volunteers if needed. Their public statement urged residents to remain calm and not abandon their pets under any circumstances.

Their announcement also included:

“We were greatly relieved to speak with people who remain calm, have taken all necessary preventive and preparedness measures, and have a clear plan to protect the animals in their care if needed. They assured us that, like most permanent residents, they will stay on the island and continue caring for the animals as they always have.

On the island, there are wild, fearful stray dogs living in rocky areas that cannot be captured despite numerous rescue attempts. There are also dogs residing in the two shelters, as well as those abandoned during the winter, which are taken in by the two local animal welfare organizations. Based on the information we have received, there are currently no reports of mass abandonments of companion animals.”

For those who wish to adopt, foster, donate, or assist in any way, contact details for the local animal welfare associations can be found on their official websites.