About Animal Zone
Animal Zone International is a non-profit organization founded in 2007, dedicated to the protection of animals and the environment, the establishment of veterninary clinics on a free or low-cost basis, and providing general education to the public toward the humane treatment of animals.

Why start our program in the Cyclades?
One simple reason. For years, we have been visiting Greece, and we have fallen in love with her islands. Greece is a singular cradle of ancient culture and beauty, a true paradise on earth.

But in many places, animals don’t receive adequate care.

So, as an act of love and respect, we thought to help the local volunteers of Amorgos in their efforts. And we soon realized the even a small gesture can make a difference. To be indifferent tourists was not acceptable to us. If each of us, every day, addressed the problems we face, our world would advance in leaps and bounds.

We initiated our work on Amorgos, the easternmost island of the Cyclades in Greece.

Something had to be done to put an end to the unhealthy and unsavory situation experienced by thousands of stray cats, hundreds of maltreated dogs, dozens of donkeys and mules, not to speak of the rather large number of productive animals.

Areas of Operation:

* AZI first began it’s operations in Xilokeratidi, Nera, Katapola and Raxidi. We have since expanded to Egali, Chora, Brutzi and Arkesini. In the months and years to come, we will continue to expand ever further.

Our Original Goals

To control (through spaying and neutering) and treat (with vaccines and anit-parasitical medicine) the stray cat and dog population in the villages of Nera’, Katapola, Raxidi as well as continuing to support Xilokeratidi
To provide shelter to dogs that are neglected on the island
To address the issue of neglected and mistreated mules and donkeys
To set up educational programs such as an annual essay competition with prizes on the theme of a positive animal-related experience for the local schoolchildren
To establish a local society for the protection of animals

Our First Goals Achieved

Medical Attention:

AZI began by sponsoring a vet to visit Amorgos to supply basic healthcare to cats and dogs (sterilization, vaccination, anti-parasitical treatment). From 2007 to the present, hundreds of cats and dogs have been treated.
Beginning October 2010, the first permanent veterinarian clinic opened with our support, offering surgical services.
Emergency medical care is also provided.

Food and Shelter:

There are many hungry animals on the island. Our support helps provide food, water, and shelter to all needy animals, and especially to the dogs that are kept in faraway places in deplorable conditions.
Shelters have been built for these “barrel dogs” who have no relief from the elements of the weather—heat and sun in the summer and cold winds in the winter.
For a mare and a donkey AZI saved for certain death, we has helped secure land for grazing and has built a stable, the first shelter for quadrupeds in the Island.

Change of Attitudes and Local Volunteers:

No more poisonings! Prior to our arrival, local restaurateurs would routinely poison cats each spring to “prepare” for the tourist season. We worked very hard to eliminate this practice and are proud to report that there were no poisonings this year in the areas where AZI has intervened.
With our encouragement, a local volunteer organization has been established—the Philozoike Merinma Association of Amorgos—with over 30 members and five dedicated coordinators.

Cooperation with Other Animal Welfare Groups:

AZI sponsored our resident veterinarian, Dr. Maria Despoti, for a two-week internship at the world-renowned PAWS Chicago, founded in 1997 by Paula Fasseas.
In coordination with the Philozoike, AZI has invited the Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF), a London-based animal welfare organization, to help care for some of Amorgos’ horses, mules and donkeys. Members of GAWF now visit Amorgos annually to treat productive animals.

Outreach, Education and Promotion:

Three books were created, published, and distributed to all the schoolchildren on the island. These illustrated books promote a positive and humane treatment of all animals and emphasize the value of a compassionate relationship between people and animals.
AZI’s outreach effort extended to farmers and restaurateurs. Educational lectures were given on how to treat and live harmoniously with animals.
AZI distributed thousands of ashtrays to encourage residents and tourists to keep the environment clean and free of cigarette butts, another crucial step toward learning how to respect nature as a whole.

Adoption:

AZI has an active adoption program for dogs and cats. Since its inception, many animals have been rescued, cared for, and prepared for adoption. More than 20 dogs have been adopted by families in Holland.

To Continue Our Program We Must:

Continue to support a permanent veterinarian practice
Continue to provide medicine and food for stray/abandoned animals—many of them face starvation
Continue treating feral cats and using humane means to curb their population
Confront individuals who perpetrate atrocities on the defenseless animals
Address the impending extinction of mules and donkeys due to changed economies, abandonment, and maltreatment
Continue the education programs for the children and general public of the island
Strengthen the newly formed local animal-welfare organization and help it to become self-sufficient