In 1959, Mrs Eleanor Close M.A. arrived in Greece and was confronted by appalling animal suffering: sick and starving cats and dogs on the streets; emaciated dogs in hospital pounds awaiting experimentation; painfully thin and broken down horses and donkeys at the end of their working lives; brutal treatment in slaughterhouses.

To help end this suffering she founded the Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF) with the objective of 'raising funds to further humane behaviour towards animals on the mainland and islands of Greece.'

GAWF provides Greek animal protection societies with project funding, expert assistance, training and practical help, including assistance with neutering campaigns. Over the past twenty years, GAWF has provided more than a million pounds (sterling) towards animal welfare work in Greece.

GAWF is currently helping around 80 animal protection groups with expertise, equipment and financial help.

We also actively support several wildlife groups with literature, equipment, training and expert visits (including wildlife veterinarian).

In this way, GAWF extends its work beyond that which we could achieve directly by ourselves and, most importantly, equips national societies on the mainland and in the islands to carry on and develop vital welfare work in their own country.

It is only possible to continue this work through the generosity of our supporters - GAWF receives no financial support from Greek or UK governments.
GAWF has achieved much for the animals of Greece, but there is so much more to be done.