Take Action: Email Template to Help the Cows on the Spiridon II

This is not a regular news article. This is a public call to action. As a journalist and the founder of The Animal Reader, I’ve been covering the Spiridon II live export crisis from day one.

After I posted about the ship on TikTok and Instagram, the response was overwhelming. The post went viral, and so many of you reached out asking: “What can we do?”

That’s why I’m writing this. The situation is now so urgent, with nearly 3,000 cows trapped at sea, at risk of starvation, dehydration, or worse, that I’ve created a copy-paste email you can send to authorities to demand immediate action.

European ports could step in to allow the ship to dock and at least offer emergency food, clean water, and veterinary care. Half of these animals are pregnant. Some have already given birth. They need immediate medical attention

At this point, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) can issue a public statement, apply pressure on Uruguay to act, and support coordination between countries.

The Greek authorities can legally board and inspect the ship while it’s in their waters, especially in the case of an animal welfare or biosecurity emergency.

Olivér Várhelyi is the European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare. He is one of the few people with the authority to speak out, coordinate a response, and push for urgent action.

Commissioner Várhelyi could publicly call for an emergency inspection of the ship while it’s near Greece, urge EU countries to offer food, water, and veterinary aid, and remind Uruguay of its legal responsibility as the country that exported the animals. 

LETTER 1: To the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)

To email: woah@woah.org,media@woah.org

Subject: URGENT: Immediate Action Required for Spiridon II Animal Welfare Crisis

Letter:

Dear World Organisation for Animal Health,

My name is [your name] from [country].

I am reaching out regarding the emergency situation aboard the livestock carrier Spiridon II, now in European waters.

The ship has been at sea since 20 September, carrying 2,901 cows, including 1,400 pregnant animals. At least 58 cows have already died, and more may be at risk. Some cows have given birth onboard. 

There is no confirmed evidence that the ship has recently taken on feed, water, or veterinary supplies, and the vessel is now sailing westward toward Uruguay, a journey that will reach 87 days at sea if completed.

According to WOAH guidelines (Chapter 7.2: Transport of animals by sea), the exporting country (Uruguay) remains responsible for animal welfare throughout the entire transport, including unexpected delays and emergency situations.

However, despite repeated warnings from NGOs, veterinarians, and journalists, this situation is escalating into a catastrophic welfare failure.

I urgently request:

1. Immediate public clarification from WOAH regarding Uruguay’s ongoing responsibility
2. Emergency engagement with Greek and EU authorities as the ship passes through their waters
3. Activation of WOAH crisis mechanisms to prevent additional deaths and possible illegal disposal of live animals at sea
4. A clear statement urging an EU port inspection or emergency access to food, water, and veterinary aid

Thousands of lives are at risk in a situation that appears to violate multiple international welfare standards. We ask WOAH to act urgently and visibly.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

[your name]

LETTER 2: To Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare

To email: Oliver.VARHELYI@ec.europa.eu,cab-varhelyi-contact@ec.europa.eu,SANTE-CONSULT-B4@ec.europa.eu,info@eurogroupforanimals.org,paula.pinho@ec.europa.eu,gabor.wyszoczky@ec.europa.eu   

Subject: Urgent Request for EU Action: Spiridon II Animal Welfare Crisis in European Waters

Letter:

Dear Commissioner Várhelyi,

My name is [your name] from [country].

I am writing to you with deep concern over the escalating emergency aboard the livestock carrier Spiridon II, which is currently passing through or near European waters. 

The ship left Uruguay on September 20th, carrying 2,901 cows, half of whom are pregnant. It was denied entry to Turkey in late October and is now returning to Uruguay, a journey that will total 87 days at sea.

At least 58 cows have died. Some have given birth on board. There is no confirmed evidence that the ship has received food, water, or veterinary care during this time. 

With the animals now facing at least 30 more days at sea, the situation presents a clear animal welfare and biosecurity crisis.

As European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, I respectfully urge you to:

1. Publicly acknowledge the emergency aboard the Spiridon II
2. Request Greek or other EU coastal authorities to inspect the vessel or offer emergency relief while still in or near EU jurisdiction
3. Remind Uruguay of its legal obligations as the exporting country under international welfare guidelines (WOAH Chapter 7.2)
4. Lead a coordinated EU response to prevent the continued suffering and possible mass death of these animals at sea

This situation is a direct test of the EU’s commitment to animal welfare, health standards, and enforcement in cross-border live animal transport. Thousands of lives may still be saved if action is taken now.

I appreciate your leadership on these issues and hope the European Commission will urgently step forward.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

LETTER 3: To Greek/Italian/Spanish Maritime Authorities / Coast Guard / Port Inspection

UPDATE: When we first published these email templates, the Spiridon II was passing through Greek waters. 

The ship is now in Italian maritime zones, and it is expected to move toward the Strait of Gibraltar, possibly entering Spanish waters next.

Both Italian and Spanish authorities have the legal right to board and inspect the vessel while it is in their territorial waters, especially in the case of an animal welfare crisis or biosecurity emergency, which this situation clearly qualifies as.

If you live in one of these countries and want us to add relevant mail addresses, please mail us at info@theanimalreader.com

To emails:

Spain (ministry of farming, coast guard, animal welfare)
gprensa@mapa.es,consultas@mapa.es,bzn-seaa@mapa.es,seiasa@seiasa.es,Bzn-bienestaranimal@mapa.es,dg-seprona-ucoma@guardiacivil.org,va.adu@aeat.es,comunicacion@andacentral.org,tupartido@pacma.es,agencia.agapa@juntadeandalucia.es,cartagena@apc.es,sirentra@mapa.es,maritime.survey@gibraltar.gov.gi

Greece (ministry of farming, coast guard)
dpo@yna.gov.gr,contact@yna.gov.gr,info@yna.gov.gr,ddy.b@yna.gov.gr,contact@yna.gov.gr,olp@olp.gr

Italy (ministry of farming, coast guard, animal welfare)
guardiacostiera@mit.gov.it,urp@politicheagricole.it,info@oipa.org,bih@enpa.org

Subject: URGENT: Request for Immediate Inspection of Livestock Carrier Spiridon II in EU waters

Letter:

Dear sir/madam,

I am writing to urgently request immediate inspection and intervention for the livestock carrier Spiridon II, which is currently passing through Greek, Italian or Spanish waters.

The ship is transporting 2,901 cows from Turkey to Uruguay. The animals have now been at sea for more than 55 days, and the ship is heading toward Uruguay, which will total 87 days at sea.

At least 58 cows have already died, and some of the pregnant cows have given birth on board. There is no confirmation that the ship has recently loaded feed, water, or veterinary supplies.

This situation poses:

• A critical animal welfare emergency
• A biosecurity risk due to decomposing carcasses and inadequate sanitation
• A potential violation of international maritime and animal‑welfare regulations

As the vessel passes through European waters, we respectfully request:

1. Immediate boarding and inspection of the ship by Greek, Spanish or Italian authorities
2. Verification of food, water, veterinary supplies, and handling of carcasses
3. Urgent coordination with veterinary services to provide emergency relief if required
4. A public statement acknowledging the situation and the results of any inspection

The animals on board may not survive another month at sea without intervention. The window for action is extremely small, the ship may leave EU jurisdiction within 24–48 hours.

Your response could prevent further suffering and deaths and uphold EU’s commitment to maritime safety and animal welfare.

Thank you for your urgent attention.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

We will continue reporting on this crisis. This post is intended to give you, our readers, a way to act during a humanitarian and animal welfare emergency.