Our Autumn sterilization program has been completed. During the first week of October, the Municipality of Amorgos, in collaboration with Animal Zone International, held a 5-day sterilization program for stray cats. A total of 105 stray cats (70 females and 35 males) from most of the villages of Amorgos were sterilized.
In addition, all animals received vaccines against rabies as well as anti-parasitic treatment. They were also tagged electronically (microchipped). One female kitten with broken leg from Katapola and an old cat with a big wound in her neck for more than 2 years from Potamos remain in our care for treatment. All the other cats were released back to their neighborhoods and from the majority of whom we have news that they are recovering well.
We have many people to thank for another successful program. First and foremost, would be to our amazing veterinarian Dr. Andrianna Alexandropoulou for her unwavering support and assistance. She worked intensely and tirelessly to meet the needs of our community.
Next, we sincerely thank the shipping company BLUE STAR FERRIES which is always helpful to the needs of our island and offered free transfer on the distinguished seat to our vet.
Also, we offer sincere thanks to the Municipality of Amorgos for the continuous support and perfect cooperation, and Evangelia Gatsinou who worked eagerly as a veterinarian assistant but of course also Chariklia Psaki who although the big pain in her legs she offered her assistant when that was needed.
We wish to thank our amazing volunteers who “plowed the island” and went up and down many stairs in order to collect and release cats and of course all the inhabitants of the island who participated and helped each in their own way.
Our spay and neuter programs are vitally important for both the cats and the islanders. Without this effort, the cat population will explode to unsustainable levels. Cats reach breeding age very quickly—at just 5 or 6 months they can have two or three litters a year. When there is an explosion in the cat population, it is difficult to feed and care for them all and they soon become parasitic and diseased, suffering from malnutrition and common infections thus increasing discontent in the community. When the cat population is under control, we can provide them with appropriate food and anti-parasitic treatments so that their overall health improves, which reduces the risk of them being considered a nuisance pest. Suffering is reduced and harmony is achieved—a win-win for all.
If you’d like to help, please consider supporting our efforts with a donation. We appreciate your help, no matter how small: https://www.animal-zone.org/donate
