Threat of abandonment and euthanasia: France and Greece organize special flights for pets in the Middle East

©Christoph Schulz via Unsplash

As the crisis in the Middle East continues to spread chaos, the priority is not only to repatriate people in the Gulf countries, but their pets as well. Fortunately, In Europe, things are starting to move.

Following the military attacks and the closure of airspace, Greece organized a special flight to evacuate citizens with their dogs, cats and other pets.

The operation brought 101 people and 45 animals safely back to Athens, demonstrating that humanity can continue to guide action even in the most difficult of times. The Aegean Air flight, which departed from Abu Dhabi, overcame the logistical difficulties associated with international animal transport. The attacks had made commercial flights impossible, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded and further complicating the transport of four-legged companions.

Many Greeks refused to flee without their pets, and cooperation between the Greek Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs made this exceptional operation possible. "Pets are not luggage, they're part of the family," said Nikos Chrysakis, Special Secretary of the Greek Interior Ministry for the protection of pets. Upon landing in Athens, happy animals were reunited with their masters, a mission accomplished.

France and the March 12 derogation

France has also taken action. On March 12, 2026, the French Ministry of Agriculture announced a temporary derogation until April 30 to allow the emergency return of French citizens with their dogs and cats from Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. Strict health regulations, which usually govern animal imports, have been temporarily relaxed. However, owners will be required to consult a vet and report to the health authorities, thus guaranteeing proper health monitoring without separating the animals from their families.

The tragedy of abandoned animals in Dubai

Sadly, while organized evacuations save many lives, an emergency is growing in silence: that of pets abandoned by those fleeing under drone and missile attacks. Shelters, vets and volunteers are reporting an increase in euthanasia requests for healthy animals, as well as numerous cases of abandonment.

Cats and dogs are being left in empty homes, tied up outside or even abandoned on the streets, while shelters are nearing saturation and veterinary care costs are soaring. This invisible crisis shows the extent to which pets are often the first silent victims of hasty evacuations, underlining the urgency of finding solutions to this situation.

(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor: Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction/Picture: Christoph Schulz via Unsplash)