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Is there still tonnes of cats in Greece

35 replies

Plump82 · 03/04/2026 17:17

It's our 10 year anniversary in a few years and I'd like to think of a ball park figure we might need to save as it we will be making this a special (extremely) delayed honeymoon. Getting married in lockdown meant we couldn't go anywhere. Plus I just love researching holidays.

Airports stress me out so we want to go somewhere that's a direct flight and that's why we're considering Greece. I've been a few times years ago and at the time there were cats on every corner. I'm a huge cat lover so the thought of lots of cats around in itself doesn't bother me. But, I'm concerned that the welfare of the cats will upset me or we come across an unwell cat etc. It might seem ridiculous but it really does put me off. However I'm wondering if things have improved since I was last there - probably nearly 20 years ago. We have seen a huge difference in Lanzarote since the first time we visited and then the most recent in the amount of cats there but I know they actively trap, neuter and release so the population definitely has reduced.

OP posts:
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MariaMagdalenaa · 10/04/2026 07:03

I also don’t holiday in Greece and certain other countries as stray cats liking ill just upsets me too much.

countdowntonap · 10/04/2026 07:11

Which island are you thinking of, @Plump82?
Could help us to give more precise feedback on the cats/airports.
For example, on Koufinisia, there is a charity that looks after the cats and does a tour of the island to feed them every morning and evening, 365 days of the year. The cats there are well cared for and if you find one that needs help you can simply message the charity. I always donate generously after my visits.

LazyCatLtd · 10/04/2026 07:49

It really upsets me too. Two things I would suggest is take a bag of dry food out with you and leave some for cats that seem like they need it. (Most of them) , along with water. Also make a donation to a charity which is neutering and rescuing them in the local area.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/04/2026 08:10

LazyCatLtd · 10/04/2026 07:49

It really upsets me too. Two things I would suggest is take a bag of dry food out with you and leave some for cats that seem like they need it. (Most of them) , along with water. Also make a donation to a charity which is neutering and rescuing them in the local area.

Edited

Good idea. I’ll do this if I go there this summer.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/04/2026 08:11

Does anyone know situation in Cyprus as my male friend is maybe going there soon?

KidsAndDogsGalore · 10/04/2026 08:12

Just a little curve ball. We went to Istanbul / Turkey a few weeks ago. Plenty of stray cats but most were in good condition. No sick or injured animals, they seem to get looked after well by the locals & tourists alike. We saw a stray cat sitting on someone's lap when getting off the coach- then meeting in the same spot said cat clearly found another lap! This one definitely knew how to charm people.

This is one of the guardians of Ephesus- the place is inhabited by stray dogs & cats...

Is there still tonnes of cats in Greece
Eleos · 10/04/2026 08:18

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/04/2026 08:10

Good idea. I’ll do this if I go there this summer.

😂 Dry cat food is widely available all over Greece.

LazyCatLtd · 10/04/2026 08:28

Eleos · 10/04/2026 08:18

😂 Dry cat food is widely available all over Greece.

Yes or you could buy it there

Quella · 10/04/2026 09:05

Don’t miss out on a trip to Greece or the Islands @Plump82, it’s a lovely place and I’ve usually found the cats to be well cared for and often some of the shops or restaurants will have a collection tin for the TNR charities. Previous posters have referred to the clipped ear, which denotes the cat has been neutered. This explains the process: https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/why-do-some-cats-have-ear-tip-missing

And you can buy Dreamies in Greece!

Cat ear tip missing | Blog

Removing the tip of a feral cat's ear is an internationally-recognised sign that they have been neutered.

https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/why-do-some-cats-have-ear-tip-missing

Fatiguedwithlife · 10/04/2026 09:15

Freysimo · 03/04/2026 17:32

I don't think you're overly anxious OP. I'm not an anxious person and I feel the same as you. I couldn't bear to holiday in Morocco for example because of how animals are treated. I don't know about Greece, but I've been pleasantly surprised at how the Canary Islands are dealing with the stray cat population. Absolutely nothing wrong with caring about animals.

i was in Marrakech in October and adored seeing all the city cats. Every evening the locals put tins of sardines and cat food out for them. Didn’t witness any mistreatment

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