King Pie, special for dogs, enjoyed today by the guests at “Refuge of Socrates”, i.e. the shelter for stray four-legged animals established at the beginning of 2021 by the Municipality of Athens.

The shelter is named after him dog “Socrates” who frequented Ermou, participated in marches and always on the side of the demonstrators.

Every Sunday the shelter is open without appointmentso that anyone who wishes to adopt an animal, who is waiting anxiously, can get to know it up close.

Today, one surprise awaited both the visitors and the four-legged inhabitants of the sanctuary. The workers and volunteers of the shelter, in his presence of the mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannisthey cut the 2023 king pie, for the people, and treated all the dogs to their individual cupcake.

“Wishes for fewer strays, more love and respect for animals and fellow human beings” was his message mayor of Athens, who, while staying at the shelter, discussed with the workers the upgrading projects being carried out in the area and the next interventions. “We are constantly trying to improve the infrastructure. We are grateful to the shelter workers and volunteers, the Athenians who choose to open their home to a stray animal and offer it love and care. But until that happens, for the animals that are under our responsibility, we are doing our best so that they live in the right conditions”, Costas Bakoyannis told APE-MPE.

The “Refuge of Socrates” is located at the junction of the streets St. Polykarpou 69 & Hartergaton in Botaniko. On weekdays it opens its doors to visitors by appointment at 2103239202, but every Sunday the entrance is free from 12:00 to 14:30 at noon.

Visitors can reach it by bus lines 813 and 815 and by metro line 3, “Elaionas” stop. It is a space temporary accommodation of animals until they are adopted, where they receive medical care, have toys at their disposal, are allowed to run freely in the yard of the shelter at least 2 times a day, and for the summer months there is also a special shallow pool for them to cool off. On the website www.animalscityofathens.gr there are photos and the basic information of all the quadrupeds that are in the “Socrates Shelter” and are looking for their permanent home.

“The Shelter of Socrates is a model” noted the government’s special secretary for pets, Marsa Dimopoulou, adding that “the cooperation with the Municipality of Athens is very close with the aim of the welfare of the animals that are in Athens”. “I was very happy to accept the invitation because this is a shelter full of love. We are here in the hope that the creatures that are hosted, but also everything that is found on the streets, will be adopted”, said Mrs. Dimopoulou to APE-MPE.

As he pointed out the mayor of Athens“in its two years of operation, the “Socrates Refuge” has provided shelter, medical care and care to at least 700 dogs. In addition, approximately 75% of the animals housed here have been successfully adopted and we want to reach 100% until no animal suffers on the streets of Athens.” The shelter is staffed with 8 staff, supported by a large number of volunteers, and guarded 24 hours a day. “We invite anyone who thinks to adopt a pet to come to this space, to meet our waiting dogs, not to be afraid to take a four-legged companion older in size or age, because he will find along the way that the love offered by animals does not look at any such distinction. The dogs at the “Socrates shelter” are ready to make a new beginning and are waiting for you” concluded Kostas Bakoyannis.

After the cutting of the king cake for people, came the dogs’ turn to munch on their own cupcake with volunteers and workers going through each cage to drop off a treat, prepared by NOMA, to a cacophony of happy barks.

“We came to participate in the nice event organized by the Urban Fauna of the Municipality of Athens for our dogs, the traditional cutting of the pie. We brought cupcakes that are completely safe for consumption by dogs, i.e. they are properly prepared but also tasty. In essence, we have brought the individual king cake of dogs into miniature,” George Rigas, co-founder of NOMA, commented to APE-MBE. Asked if the dogs’ king cake had a flourish, he noted that “the flourish for these particular animals is the love they receive here to have a second chance.” His partner, Panagiotis Zotos, explained that “NOMA produces cooked pet food, for the dog and the cat that is, from raw materials that are even eaten by humans”. “We have a partnership with the Agricultural University of Athens and all our feeds are prepared in collaboration with a nutritionist so that they are complete and balanced for the animals. We believe that dry food is made with convenience and human handling in mind. Our meals you can literally open and taste, they are of such good quality” said Mr. Zotos while indeed, either from being petted or from being sweetened, all the animals were happily wagging their tails.