It was founded in 1924, and its first journal was published in 1926. The visionary founder and inspirer of EKΕ was General Ioannis D. Petridis (1870-1947), who was the first President of HVMS, later served as President for several years, and then as Honorary President. Among its 49 founding members was the late Professor Konstantinos Livadas, founder of the School Veterinary Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He contributed significantly to the establishment of the School despite disagreements, and at that time, Greece had only one scientific society, the Athens Medical Society, founded in 1835, which published its first scientific journal in 1922. HVMS was involved not only in scientific matters but also in professional issues such as establishing a fee schedule for Veterinarians, taxation, insurance, etc. During that period, the inclusion of the Veterinary Sector into SIIV (Social Insurance Institute for Veterinarians) was achieved.

The first post-war meeting of the Society was held at the private clinic of Petros Kiappes, on Peta Street. With Konstantinos Melanidis as the first post-war President, the Society operated under its old statutes and was based at the Veterinary Microbiological Institute (KMI) in Botanikos (Peristeri), from where most of its Board members and the Editorial Committee of HVMS’s Bulletin originated. This period is commonly referred to as the “Botanikos period” (1944-65), as it was during this time that its core library was established.

The Society’s resources were minimal, so it remained without a dedicated space for a long time. In search of a venue for regular meetings, it received positive responses from various services and associations (Veterinary Office, Greek Chemical Society, Greek Agricultural Society, Athens Medical Association, Institute of Agricultural Studies, Attica Veterinary Service, Hellenic Handicrafts Organization), which eventually offered their halls for this purpose. In mid-1958, for a limited period and within its financial means, the Society also rented a space.

In 1944, HVMS compiled its first post-war Registry Book, and by 1948, it had 74 active members. It resumed scientific activities through presentations at regular meetings, public lectures, discussions on current veterinary issues, member contributions, and more. On May 29, 1947, Petridis announced to the Athens Academy about veterinary science and its contribution to the progress of livestock production and the safeguarding of Public Health. It is also noteworthy that, due to the absence of a dedicated professional body and in deviation from its statutes, HVMS also addressed issues related to the practice of the Veterinary profession.

HVMS played a decisive role in decision-making within the Ministry of Agriculture. It was consulted on matters of veterinary legislation, organization of veterinary services within the Ministry, and livestock farming issues. In the 1930s, the Supreme Veterinary Advisory Council operated. EKΕ primarily deals with scientific issues and aims to promote, showcase, and secure the recognition of veterinary science and the veterinary profession both domestically and internationally.

HVMS publishes the quarterly scientific journal “Greek Veterinary Society Journal – PEKE,” along with other scientific publications, organizes conferences, symposiums, seminars, lectures, and has almost exclusively been responsible for lifelong education for Greek veterinarians and veterinary students. Today, the HVMS is governed by a 9-member Board elected every three years, comprising three branches:

1. Companion Animal Veterinarians Branch
2. Public Health Veterinarians Branch
3. Farm Animal Veterinarians Branch

HVMS also cooperates with Higher Education Institutions, Technological Educational Institutes, Veterinary Services, Veterinary Associations, and Scientific Societies, both within Greece and abroad, and is a member of the following organizations:

• World Veterinary Association
• World Companion Animal Veterinarians Association
• Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Societies (founding member)
• Balkan and Black Sea Veterinary Society (founding member)

It has a total of 926 members, many of whom have distinguished themselves in the scientific field (university professors, researchers), in administration, the military, and in professional veterinary associations and chambers both in Greece and abroad.

Since May 29, 2001, with the signing of the contract, and from December 15, 2002, the date of the inauguration, HVMS has been housed in its own offices in a beautiful and noble apartment on the 7th floor of a building in downtown Athens at 158 Patission Street, covering an area of 265 sq.m., which includes an entrance hall (14 sq.m.), secretariat (13 sq.m.), seminar and event space (91 sq.m.), president’s office (22 sq.m.), council room and library (44 sq.m.), kitchen (18 sq.m.), two large bathrooms, storage, and a large balcony. The efforts to acquire this new premises and the specific property were undertaken during the presidency of Mr. Theodoros Ananiadis, with the following Board composition:

• President: Theodoros Ananiadis
• Vice President: Veniamin Albalas
• General Secretary: Athanasios Tyrpenou
• Special Secretary: Konstantinos Handras
• Treasurer: Olga Sampatakοu
• Member: Emmanouil Archontakis
• Member: Apostolos Rantsios