Responding to the wildfires: How your support is saving lives
This summer, Greece has faced one of the most devastating wildfire seasons in recent history. Since June, more than 1 million hectares have burned across the EU, the highest total since records began, with Greece among the hardest hit. Thousands of people have been evacuated, vast areas of land destroyed, and countless animals have been […]
Providing equine care on Paralion Astros
In August 18, 2025, following a request from the welfare group Arcadia Animal Welfare, the veterinarian and Equine Care Programme Coordinator Elisa Geskou, along with equine dental technician Alkis Gkeskos, visited Paralion Astros to provide veterinary and dental care to the shelter’s equines. Farrier Vaios Bakratsas had provided farriery services a few weeks earlier, on […]
Our annual equine outreach to Evoia 2025
Between the 1st and 3rd of August 2025, our outreach team visited the island of Evoia to provide essential veterinary, dentistry and farriery services. Traveling long distances, veterinarian Kostas Okkas, equine dental technician Alkis Gkeskos and farrier Vaios Bakratsas reached 8 villages across four different areas of Evoia, treating 38 equines (25 horses, 5 donkeys […]
Empowering the future of equine welfare in Greece
It was 1992 when UK-based veterinarian Janet Eley travelled alone to Greece. What she saw stayed with her: donkeys, horses, and mules that formed the backbone of island life, yet many suffered in silence from painful dental problems, overgrown hooves, and untreated wounds. The issue wasn’t neglect, but a lack of training, equipment, and access […]
Greece’s wildfires have begun – Animals need us urgently
Wildfires have begun erupting across Greece following days of extreme heat and strong winds. These fires are already tearing through towns, forests and countryside, forcing families to evacuate and leaving widespread devastation in their path. While the damage to homes and land is visible, the suffering of animals caught in these fires is often hidden […]
How One Woman’s Determination Sparked a National Movement for Greece’s Working Equines
More than 30 years ago, on the sun-baked Greek islands of Chalki and Symi, a single visit by a UK vet planted the seeds for a movement that would change the lives of thousands of Greece’s working equines. It was 1992 when Janet Eley, a UK-based veterinarian, travelled alone to Greece. She was struck by […]
Huge wins for Animal Welfare in Europe
Written by Serafina Avramidou, Animal Action Greece, Animal Welfare Manager. Last week brought two major breakthroughs for animals across the EU – and we’re thrilled to celebrate alongside our partners and supporters! 1. A turning point in the fight against animal testing On 16th June, EU lawmakers finalised the One Substance, One Assessment (OSOA) framework […]
Don’t be an ass: our bold new campaign
WHY “DON’T BE AN ASS”? We’ve called this campaign Don’t Be an Ass, because while the title might raise an eyebrow, the message is serious: Greece’s working equines deserve better. All around Greece, especially in rural areas, thousands of horses, donkeys and mules spend their lives working, many times relentlessly – long hours, over rugged […]
Providing equine care on Amorgos
In June 13th and 14th, 2025, the Animal Action Greece equine care team completed their 12th annual visit to Amorgos, providing essential veterinary, dental, and farriery care to the island’s working equines. Veterinarian Kostas, equine dental technician Alkis and farrier Tasos offered their services to 44 equines (31 donkeys, 7 mules, and 6 horses) that […]
Refugee Camps Project Phase 1 – a Resounding Success
After months of planning, Phase 1 of the Refugee Camps Project came to life between April 29 and May 7, 2025 — delivering remarkable results and demonstrating the power of global teamwork. This collaborative initiative was made possible thanks to the vision of Iris Kalfopoulou, Associate to the General Secretary for Asylum Seekers at the […]