The EU uses an electronic system called TRACES to legally and reliably track the movement of pets being rehomed from one EU country to another.
At the moment, however, the Greek government won’t issue TRACES certificates.
This means that Animalcouriers can’t currently transport cats and dogs from rescue centres in Greece on behalf of adopters in the UK or any other EU country. (We can, however, transport pets who are relocating with their existing owners from Greece and have valid pet passports.)
For the time being, if you want to adopt a rescue animal from Greece, you have to go to Greece yourself and accompany your adopted pet out of the country. (That’s what Hans and Erica, the Dutch couple who adopted Greek rescue dog Danai, did.)
We (and many others) hope that this just a temporary measure and that the certificates will soon be available again. After all, they are an EU directive and all member states should fall in line — including Greece.
Danai with Erica in the Netherlands
I hope it will work soon… it’s so sad if an adoption would fail because of that issues..
Yes, the chances of adoption are slender enough without this hurdle.
Good luck! I hope the Greek government changes their position on this soon.
We are very hopeful but did need to get this info out — so many people are contacting us as they don’t know what’s going on or why.
Could you start a petition either for the Greek authorities or EUbor would that just annoy them and be counter productive?
Sadly it would annoy they 🙁 They know what needs doing, and we believe they are ‘getting organised’ just now.
And the poor animals have to suffer!
It is an incredibly frustrating situation.
Aw that’s so sad! I hope things there change soon!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We’re hopeful there might be resolution sometime soon.
Greece is in such a turmoil, I have an online photographer friend who lives there with his family, his photos, for some time now, have shown the upset that appears to happen daily there. I hope that Greece will soon see that it’s to their advantage to have these rescued animals go to homes (in whatever country) that want them.
It most certainly is in turmoil. They don’t really seem to see it as an advantage for some reason but we’re hopeful that they’re move on it soon.
I assume this has to do with all the problems the Greek government is dealing with right now?
Yes, it’s all linked. Not enough people with the will to make a difference.
How upsetting for all concerned especially the shelters who work so hard to find these little guys homes; I hoped its resolved soon
Indeed – we are hopeful that there will be progress soon.
I also hope this ends soon and you can get back to helping these sweet pets travel.
So frustrating for everyone involved.
Always another people problem, huh. And it is the animals that suffer. –Curt
Yup, wish the bureaucrats could see it.
🙁
I suspect that Hans and Erica will be amply rewarded for the effort involved in taking that lovely pup into their home and hearts.
They most certainly are being amply rewarded.
It is difficult to see how Greece’s financial woes can be eased by not issuing a few certificates. I’m sorry for the animals.
There’s got to be the will to find the way…
Hans & Erica are wonderful to go to Greece to adopt…not everyone has the finances or capability to do that so I hope Greece gets its’ act together for the 4 leggeds sakes…..
Sherri-Ellen & Siddhartha Henry xx
Whoever dreamed up these silly laws should be fed to the dogs… literally. It’s just peculiar how they regulate animals but allow terrorists to come and go – without permits. 🙂
Good morning 🙂
Is there an update to this situation, please?
Can someone adopt an animal from Greece without having to travel there?
Kind wishes, Sarah
Hi Sarah, this blog post was from a long time ago. There are no special issues now about rescues from Greece. We travel there often to bring back animals that have been rescued.