5 years ago

The “Garbage Dogs” of Loutraki, Greece

Greece is a very well-known tourist destination due to its natural beauty, archaeological sites, and beautiful landscape. However, many tourists do not realize that, behind this beautiful facade, there are around 3.4 million stray dogs. Local Greek Volunteers try their best to alleviate this tragic suffering. This is the story of the “Garbage” Dogs and how it began.

Over the past few years, the Loutraki landfill has become the place for people to discard their rubbish as well as their pets. Now, there around 130 dogs living amidst the tons of garbage. These dogs often live tragic, painful lives full of illness and disease. Because many of them are not spayed or neutered, their numbers are increasing, making the issue even worse. However, in 2018, a kind woman named Afrodith moved near the Loutraki landfill, and seeing the horrendous conditions was a life-changing experience for her. She saw packs of dogs and puppies with broken bones and sores all over their bodies. Forced to drink from dirty puddles and scavenge in the trash, many were starving and thirsty, and sadly, some were dead. Countless puppies were born and died helplessly in there without a chance to live a full life. It was an endless cemetery of animals.

Afrodith began trying to take care of all the dogs she could find without much help from local authorities or the government. All they provide are four sacks of dry food per week. With the help of a few volunteers, Afrodith has been doing incredible work for years and dedicated her life to caring for these dogs. She has captured, vaccinated, neutered, and treated as many dogs as she could. Right now, she has no more space for the dogs left at the plot of land that she rents. So, if a sick dog needs treatment, she has no alternative but to try and capture the dog and give them treatment in a crate. If a dog is very sick, it is taken to the vet’s for treatment then released back to the landfill.

Afrodith’s dream would be to take all the dogs out of the landfill and give them the life they deserve, with a loving family. However, to make her dream come true she needs a larger plot of land with shelter, to give as many dogs as possible a chance of a happy and healthy life. With more room, she could provide the dogs a chance at getting fostered and adopted!

In 2018, Afrodith created her Facebook page so that people could see the work she does for these poor dogs and offer Support in the form of food, medicine, fostering, adopting, and donations. She has since garnered much attention and one charity has even started sending over dry food. To help Afrodith continue to provide for these dogs and give them a chance at a better life, you can Donate to her PayPal: loutrakilandfilldogs@gmail.com