Welcome to SAWA
- Santorini -
About US
The Santorini Animal Welfare Association – SAWA is a non-governmental, non-profit
organization, founded in 1992 by active and devoted animal lovers of the island of Santorini, Greece.
SAWAs purpose is to protect the island’s animals - ranging from stray dogs and cats to abandoned donkeys and mules, care for their wellbeing and being an advocate of their rights.
In close cooperation with the Municipality of Thira and the local vet, SAWA insures that all the stray animals are neutered and spayed, vaccinated, treated in case of injury, disease or poisoning and if possible re-homed in Greece or abroad.
Moreover, SAWA oversees the implementation of the “Code of Practice” for all donkeys and mules engaged in the Bay of Fira and is constantly making efforts towards the mitigation of their health and working conditions.
At Sawa there are currently around 40 dogs, 23 donkeys and mules, 7 horses, 2 pigs, 3 goats 5 ducks, 3 geese ducks, and 3 chicken.
During the last 10 years we’ve been promoting well-being and respect for these wonderful animals.
We Care
At SAWA Santorini we care for the animals on the Island land and occasionally also help animals from nearby islands.
We practice and believe in a non-kill shelter approach.
We believe that all animals deserve a new chance in life, and are working hard to insure that all animals are adopted and get a second change and the possibility for a new life.
Our goal is to provide a happy home for these animals and, where possible, give them a second chance for a life in a loving family. This shelter is one of the few places in the world that allows animals to coexist in groups instead of individual cages and that uniquely creates a safe haven for animals until they can be adopted