Galery

1

A 'diplomatic row' was triggered by the decision of the US Embassy in Athens to relocate four of the seven cats, which lived inside its compound on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. It all started when animal rights organisations were informed by residents of the area that the cats, which inhabited the yard of the US Embassy, were moved to an unknown location.

The organisations' reaction was instant and they began pounding the embassy employees with emails insisting on knowing what had happened to the stray cats, which had been in the care of some volunteers from the area.

The US Embassy responded via Facebook, but the post enraged even further the animal conservationists. "The US embassy in Athens has received several messages expressing concern for the cats living on its grounds. Some of the cats were moved to another Embassy facility in Athens, which is another safe, fenced compound. Several of the cats continue to live at the embassy as they did before. Thank you all for your concern," reads the message in the official Embassy Facebook account. However, it sparked even stronger reactions. The Nine Lives organisation published on Facebook a vitriolic post levelled at the US Embassy.

"We have learned that 4 of the 7 cats, which lived in the US Embassy, were moved to another location. One of the cats, Skuidi, is 14 years old and knows no other home than the secure Embassy compound. All cats are friendly and gentle, they are also neutered, as required by the law. On 10-11 December, they were moved to a dangerous place where dogs live. It seems the Embassy has "evacuated" from its facility 15 cats in the course of this year. We suggest you send messages to the embassy urging them to respect the Greek laws and return the cats to the embassy grounds," reads the post.