Animal Clinic Opens in Athens, Offers Free Medical Care for Pets and Strays

Photo source: Athens Municipality/ Vassilis Lambiris.

The first municipal veterinary clinic in Athens opened its doors earlier this month, offering free medical care for stray animals and pets with guardians that are part of the vulnerable population.

Located at the intersection of Mesogeion Avenue and Trikala Street in Ambelokipi, the clinic is fully equipped with an operating and a diagnostic room, and areas for short-term hospitalization.

The clinic will be open during weekdays from 9am to 5pm and provide basic medical services, including neutering, vaccination and other preventive care.

“For all of us in Athens, protecting animals means that you are actively civilized,” said Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

The municipal veterinary clinic follows the launch of the municipal stray shelter a few years ago.

“This confirms the municipality as a pioneer in the care of our four-legged companions,” he added.

According to Serafina Avramidou, the Athens Municipal Counselor for Stray Animals, the new clinic will also help control the number of stray animals in the Greek capital.

Pets with guardians who are part of vulnerable groups (people with disabilities, the unemployed, large families with three or more children, single-parent families and social assistance beneficiaries) will get charge-free care at the new municipal animal clinic.

The clinic is currently staffed with two veterinarians and is expected to be open 24 hours a day in the next few months, with the recruitment of more vets and pet healthcare assistants.