Announcement December 2nd 2019
Round 2: low cost microchipping
Thanks to the continuous support of Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG), the municipality of Aegina and Zero Stray Pawject are offering a SECOND round of SUBSIDIZED MICROCHIPPING in Aegina, starting in December 2019. This is in response to an overwhelming demand after the first round of subsidized microchipping for low and middle income families, which ran from Jan 2019 - June 2019 in Aegina was highly successful. This program is particularly important for families who cannot easily afford the cost of microchipping. The program is executed in collaboration with all the local Aegina vets Despina, Giannis, Maria and Nektarios. To find out if you qualify for the subsidy, please contact Ms Sofia Hatzina at the municipality of Aegina on 2297 320054. If you are eligible, you will only pay 10 EUR (instead of 40 EUR plus VAT), to microchip your dog as the law requires. Applicants will be served on a strict first-come, first-serve basis until the funds for the 200 subsidized chips are exhausted, but no later than August 2020.
This program is part of the joint effort of Zero Stray Pawject and the Municipality of Aegina jointly that started in February 2018 to “de-anonymize” all owned dogs through microchipping and registering of all owned dogs who live on the island of Aegina, which is the key pillar of the Zero Stray Pawject model to intervene BEFORE a dog ends up on the street. A microchipped dog has a voice and is not anonymous anymore. The chip traces the dog back to its owner. A dog can no longer be abandoned without repercussions. Microchipping and registering is required per laws 4039/2012 and 4235/2014; violators can be fined EUR 300. Since September of 2019, the Hellenic Police, Forest Police and Coast Guard have started to perform checks in Aegina and Agistry to ensure dog owners comply with the law.
This second round of subsidized microchipping will allow more families who cannot easily afford the microchip to become responsible owners, comply with the law, and avoid a fine.
Be a responsible owner: microchip your dog, avoid the risk of a fine!