More than 280 animals were rescued in total during the devastating wildfires in Attica and Boeotia, thanks to the extensive efforts of firefighters, volunteers and various organisations.

The municipality of Megara, west of Athens, has now published its account of the operation, a week after it took place, detailing the involvement of volunteers, animal welfare organisations, vets and ordinary residents.

“The decision not to publicise this account sooner was deliberate. While the fire was still burning, our sole priority was saving people and animals, and giving real support to those working on the ground. Now that the fire is over and some days have passed, we feel it is our duty to record the effort and, above all, to publicly recognise the contribution of the hundreds of people who gave their time, expertise, strength and resources so that no animal affected by the fire was left without help,” the municipal authority said, among other things.

During the operation, the Megara Olympians Municipal Stadium served as the central hub, where animals affected by the fire were gathered to be registered, given the necessary veterinary care and support, and to have their return to their families or safe foster housing arranged.

In total, 282 animals were rescued: 222 companion animals, 14 wild animals and 46 livestock. Of these, 131 have already been reunited with their families, while 91 are being placed with foster carers ahead of eventual adoption.

Puppies were taken in by the Megara Animal Welfare Union, A Little Shelter and the Ilioupoli Animal Welfare Union, while adult animals went to Dogs’ Voice, Make It Pawsible and the Nea Filadelfeia Animal Welfare Association.

11 animals were transferred to veterinary clinics, and four did not survive. Greece’s national helpline for animals at risk, 10400, handled 86 calls in just 24 hours.

“Behind these numbers lie countless hours of work: rescues, transport, veterinary care, family searches and foster placements, along with an unprecedented mobilisation of people who joined forces at a particularly difficult time. It was an operation that brought together individuals and organisations alike. From the very first moment, dozens of people, agencies, volunteers, vets, animal welfare groups, businesses and ordinary citizens united behind a single goal: that no animal affected by the fire would be left without help,” Megara Municipality said. In its statement, the municipality thanked in detail everyone who contributed to the effort, from volunteers, rescuers, organisations and vets to neighbouring municipalities and the Attica Region, as well as private individuals and businesses for their support in various ways.

“While the fire was raging, our priority was to save people, animals and property. It was not the time for publicity. Now, however, is the moment to recognise and publicly thank the people who stood on the front line and gave everything they could to save every animal at risk. I thank them all warmly,” said the mayor of Megara, Panagiotis Margetis.

Kiki Kontopoulou, the Megara municipal councillor responsible for stray and companion animals, added: “The past few days have been a huge trial for all of us. But out of the flames came something far stronger: solidarity, cooperation and selfless giving. The numbers reflect the scale of the effort, but behind every number there is a life.”

The large scale mobilisation to save the animals, and the images from the operation, also drew the attention of international news organisations. The effort was covered by, among others, Reuters, Agence France Presse (AFP), the Associated Press, the Chinese Associated Press and Getty Images, as well as by a Romanian television channel.