After three years of intensive work across the Greek islands of Paros and Antiparos, the Community Cat Care Project has reached an important milestone.
Animal Action Greece were incredibly grateful for the funding they received from Battersea which helped them deliver the project in collaboration with the local animal welfare groups of the islands, local municipalities, veterinary clinics, volunteers and residents, the project aimed to create long-term, sustainable improvements for the islands’ community cats through humane population management, veterinary care, education and community engagement.
Since launching in April 2023, the project became the largest and most comprehensive community cat care initiative ever carried out in Greece.
Over the course of the three-year project, the team achieved:
- 7,070 cat sterilisations
- 7,067 microchips implanted
- 6,641 quadruple vaccinations administered
- 4,199 rabies vaccinations administered
- 7,109 deworming treatments provided
- 1,435 additional veterinary treatments carried out
The additional veterinary treatments included care for injuries, various diseases, infections, wounds, eye conditions, abscesses, skin conditions and other health concerns identified during trapping and treatment.
Collaboration was at the heart of the project’s success.
This effort, together with local animal welfare groups Paroscat, Paros Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Cats of Antiparos and FEP Animal Welfare Paros; vets Veterinary Center of PAROS,Veterinary Corner and FEP Vet Clinic alongside the Municipality of Antiparos and Municipality of Paros, demonstrates the true power of teamwork. Many independent caregivers, volunteers and residents also played a vital role in identifying colonies, trapping cats and monitoring local populations throughout the project.
The project also focused heavily on community engagement, helping local residents better understand the importance of sterilisation, identification, vaccination and long-term colony management.
Changing attitudes towards community cats
Alongside direct veterinary interventions, the project sought to improve public understanding of animal welfare and responsible community cat management.
To measure this impact, Animal Action Greece commissioned QED Market Research to conduct two comparable surveys on Paros and Antiparos. A total of 300 residents were interviewed in March 2025, followed by a further 301 residents in February 2026, providing valuable insight into changing public attitudes and awareness.
The results showed significant positive shifts in knowledge, understanding and support for animal welfare initiatives.
Concern about stray animals at neighbourhood level increased from 62% of respondents in 2025 to 75% in 2026, suggesting that the welfare of community cats had become a more visible and important issue for local residents.
Understanding of cat neutering also improved considerably. The proportion of respondents who reported having a good understanding of neutering rose from 57% in 2025 to 88% in 2026, while support for neutering as the most effective way to manage stray animal populations increased from 52% to 71%.
Awareness of municipal responsibilities towards stray animals also increased significantly. More residents understood that municipalities have legal responsibilities relating to neutering, healthcare and the management of stray animals, while the proportion of people unable to identify any municipal responsibilities fell from 7% to just 1%.
These findings demonstrate that the project not only improved the welfare of thousands of community cats but also helped create lasting changes in public awareness, understanding and support for humane population management across both islands.
Long-term impact
The impact of the programme extends far beyond the numbers.
By significantly increasing sterilisation coverage across Paros and Antiparos, the project has helped stabilise and reduce community cat populations in many areas while also improving overall health and welfare standards.
Routine vaccinations, parasite control and identification have improved disease prevention and responsible colony management, while local engagement has helped create stronger support networks for community cats across both islands.
The project also demonstrated the importance of collaboration between local authorities, veterinary professionals, animal welfare organisations and residents in creating sustainable animal welfare solutions.
Looking ahead
Although the Battersea-funded programme has now concluded, Animal Action Greece remains committed to improving the welfare of community cats on Paros and Antiparos.
Building on the strong partnerships established over the past three years, AAG is currently exploring a new programme model that will continue to support the islands in a different way. While future activities will necessarily operate on a smaller scale, the aim is to maximise impact by combining targeted sterilisation with mapping and monitoring activities. This approach will enable resources to be directed towards the areas of greatest need and ensure that future interventions continue to deliver measurable, long-term improvements in cat welfare.
The continued collaboration of local animal welfare groups, municipalities, veterinary clinics, volunteers and residents will remain central to this next phase. The success of the project has demonstrated that lasting improvements in animal welfare can only be achieved through partnership, shared responsibility and evidence-based decision-making.
Thank you
Animal Action Greece would like to thank Battersea for funding and supporting this ambitious three-year initiative.
We would also like to thank every local partner, volunteer, caregiver, veterinarian and resident who contributed to the project over the past three years.
The legacy of the Paros and Antiparos Community Cat Care Project will continue through the partnerships, knowledge and support networks established across both islands. With continued community support, increased awareness and ongoing fundraising, Animal Action Greece hopes to build on these foundations, further improving the welfare of community cats on Paros and Antiparos while expanding this successful model to other areas of Greece in the future.