Animal Welfare Rhodes

🐾 We Love Animals – But We’re Not a Rescue Organization

We’re often contacted by kind-hearted people who’ve encountered injured or stray animals on Rhodes – and that’s wonderful! Your compassion inspires us, and we share it wholeheartedly. ❤️

However, please understand that we are not a direct rescue service and cannot physically respond to such situations. Instead, we focus on supporting and promoting highly dedicated local organizations. So if you find an animal in distress, we kindly ask that you reach out directly to one of the groups below or contact a local veterinarian. You’ll be acting compassionately and effectively.

We are not just bystanders – we actively support these animal welfare organisations ourselves by helping raise awareness and collecting donations for them. Every contribution helps improve the lives of animals on Rhodes and supports the dedicated people who care for them every day.

🐶 Meet the Local Heroes on Rhodes

PAW HEROES e.V.

A German-registered association working closely with shelters on Rhodes. Their goal is to give dogs living on the streets, in poor care, or in overcrowded shelters a better life and a chance at adoption.
🔗 Visit Paw Heroes

Rhodos Pfoten e.V.

A non-profit dedicated to minimising animal suffering on Rhodes. Their motto: “Animal welfare knows no borders!”

• 486+ adoptions
• 145+ stray cats neutered
• Ongoing feeding and medical programs

🔗 Visit Rhodos Pfoten

Lucky Paws Animal Rescue Rhodes

Founded in 2012, this group of committed volunteers is dedicated to rescuing stray animals, preventing cruelty, and promoting fair treatment and sterilisation programs.
🔗 Instagram
🔗 Facebook

Inselpfoten Rhodos e.V.

Created by a group of women who adopted or fostered dogs from Rhodes, this organisation supports adoptions, fostering, and flight sponsorships in close cooperation with local partners like Lucky Paws. They aim to offer authentic, transparent animal welfare.
🔗 Visit Inselpfoten

🚨 What to Do in an Emergency

1. Take Immediate Action

If you find an injured animal, please act immediately:

• Bring the animal to a local vet (see list below)
• If no carrier is available, ask a supermarket for a sturdy cardboard box with a lid

2. Contact a Rescue Group – but Be Realistic

All groups are run by volunteers and cannot respond to every case immediately. If it’s urgent, contact a vet directly first.

If you believe a rescue group can help:

• Send the exact location and a photo of the animal
• Do this without delay – stray animals rarely stay in one place

⚠️ Please do not wait until after your holiday to report a sighting. It’s rarely possible to locate the animal later.

Additional Tip: Use Social Media

You can also raise awareness by posting in Facebook groups, especially local animal welfare communities on Rhodes. One very active group is:

🔗 ΣΥΛΛΟΓΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΖΩΙΚΗΣ ΡΟΔΟΥ – RHODES ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY (public, 36,000+ members)

The more people see your post, the higher the chances someone nearby can help quickly.

3. If Possible, Meet the Rescue Volunteer

If a group agrees to help, please offer to meet them directly. This increases the chances of a successful rescue.

4. Help Cover the Costs

Vet visits, transport, and care cost time and money – usually covered privately by the volunteers. If you can, please contribute or donate to the organisation helping.

5. Understand the Limits

None of these groups are officially responsible for the stray animals. They help out of compassion – but they are not publicly funded and operate with very limited resources.

If you witness an animal in neglect (e.g. no water, no shade, visibly poor condition), contact the local police and document the situation with photos or video. 📞 +30 2241 023849

⚠️ Important: Greek animal welfare laws differ from those in other countries. For example, keeping a dog on a chain may be legal, even if it’s distressing to see.

🚫 Please do not enter private property or take action on privately owned land, even with the best intentions. Doing so can result in legal consequences for trespassing or interfering with property rights.

Instead, always report the case to the proper authorities or a local rescue group and let them handle the situation through the appropriate legal channels.

6. Want to Adopt?

Taking a stray animal home with you on short notice is generally not possible. But if you’re seriously considering adoption, please reach out. Rescue groups can help organise:

• Medical care and documents
• Temporary accommodation
• Transport arrangements

Please note that all costs must be covered by the adopter, including a flat fee for food and care during the transition period.