We saw an array of cute dogs on the island of Santorini on our recent Greek Isles cruise. Unfortunately many of them are strays, but we were really excited to learn that the Santorini Animal Welfare Association (SAWA) ensures that stray dogs are neutered and spayed, vaccinated, and de-wormed. You can even adopt these wonderful, friendly dogs from SAWA or make a donation to support their efforts!
Enjoy some photos of some of our favorite dogs from around Oia.
This cutie found a spot of shade and some cool marble steps to use as a pillow
Like my 4 white socks?
Right here looks good for a nap!
Did I fall asleep with my tongue hanging out again?!
Guarding the store is hard work, but someone’s gotta do it!
Can I help you?
SAWA ensures the animals are well fed with these little feeders all around the village
Ali says
Aw, they’re so cute! Stray dogs make me sad, but I’m glad there’s an organization to help take care of them.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
We’re total suckers for stray animals. I think Tim wanted to bring home every stray dog and cat we saw!
Jessica says
I went to Santorini a couple of months ago… and I saw this pug!! We named him Pugalius.. he was my favorite of all the dogs in Santorini!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Too funny, Jessica! They really seem to be happy dogs there and well taken care of.
Sue Sharpe says
This has made my day! The dogs in the photos so cute and to know that the strays of the island have someone watching over them is just wonderful 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Isn’t it? Not too many places take care of their strays and make sure they are fed. I love that Santorini does!
Marissa Wynne says
How can I help them?
lell says
I have to say that although these dogs and cats look OK in the summer they often starve in the winter as there are no tourists and the businesses mostly close and leave, so those dogs and cats you fed on your holiday would probably not survive until the next year. Its heartbreaking and so unnecessary but on the whole the Greeks simply dont care. Dogs and cats are regarded as pests, they poison them, refuse to neuter them, dump bucket fulls of puppies all the time all over Greece to fend for themselves, hang them from trees and shoot them, as soon as a “pet” becomes of no use, for example a hunting dog, they dump it on the street, its the same if it becomes ill. There are organisations that try to help but its overwhelming, especially as they are generally fighting against the Greek mentality, last summer several dog rescue volunteers were attacked for trying to feed abandoned and sick animals. Its endemic and depressing. Sorry but I think you should know the truth of the amount of needless suffering that occurs every single day in Greece. I love the country but will never go there again after seeing what Ive seen. If you want to help this is a facebook link to one of the few organisations that try to care for these poor animals – https://www.facebook.com/SantoriniAnimalWelfareOrganizationSawa/
Heather Schmoyer says
Have they slacked off since the economy has continued to decline? We were just there and saw several pregnant stray dogs and two mom dogs on with her pups. 🙁
Lynn kauer says
Umm, just to correct one statement. We toured Santorini in 2015 and had a lovely tour guide who explained that the dogs are sheltered during the winter, where they are loved and well fed. In the warmer months they are let out where they are also fed and loved. She says in Santorini “it’s a dogs life”. I loved 5his island and appreciate the time you took to photograph and post the photos.
Stacey says
The dogs are NOT sheltered from what I understand. It’s heartbreaking to see that no one takes them and see them in the street. Makes me not want to be here, bc I’m so sad for the way the dogs are disguarded
Solo says
Oct 2018 I was in Santorini. I didn’t see many roaming dogs but the ones I did see we’re not neutered or spayed. Same with cats. I don’t understand Greek people who don’t neuter/ spay. They seem to have lots of money for smokes and alcohol. Greeks will never change regarding animal welfare..
Lorraine Singh says
Came to Santorini ( Oia) for the first time for vacation with my family. As I was walking up and down the st saw so many stray dogs, breaks my heart that no one cares for them. Some of them are so thin and are aching for human kindness. When I go to restaurants I don’t enjoy my food, or go shopping, I just see their sweet faces,I’m very sad. I see people shewing them away. I’m not enjoying my stay at all, my heart is broken, I would love to take all of them home with me to a America, don’t think I want to come back to Greece