A wildfire that swept across mountains and coastal areas west of Athens has left hundreds of animals displaced, prompting a significant volunteer effort to rescue and reunite them with owners.
The blaze, which at one point burned on five fronts, torched dozens of homes and more than 100 square kilometers (39 square miles) of land. In the town of Megara, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Athens, rescue organizers reported saving over 280 animals, primarily dogs, amidst scorching heat and high winds.
Rescuers housed displaced animals, including a mixed-breed puppy named Sasa, in temporary shelters like an indoor sports court. "There was so much heat and the fire was so aggressive. It was changing directions all the time," said Elena Dede, a local rescue organizer.
Animal welfare groups have expressed concern about the increasing risks to animals during Europe's searing summer. Richard Parr, director of the U.K.-based Center for Wild Animal Welfare, described the local rescue efforts as "heroic" but noted that hotter summers are escalating the danger for millions of animals.
"At the moment, all too often, it is ad hoc, and it falls on the shoulders of private individuals, small charities," Parr stated. "The scale of the challenges they’re facing in terms of the number of animals affected and the areas of fire is gigantic and completely out of step."
His organization is advocating for a dedicated European Union animal rescue service and increased funding to address the growing problem. Parr also suggested that governments consider establishing "fire refuges" for animals, such as ponds and rock piles, to provide shelter.
Locally, authorities are assisting in matching missing-animal notices with rescued pets and finding temporary homes. However, organizers acknowledge the immense challenge of reuniting all displaced animals. "I will never forget the animals that we knew were left behind. I’m just hoping they were saved and ran free," Dede added.