Adoption Stories

,

Micky is adopted!

,
Micky looking good

Micky

Micky is a 6-year-old Maltese mix that came to our shelter in May. His owner had passed away during the winter and no one else wanted him so Micky roamed around in Chora living under poor conditions. When he arrived, he was full of fleas and ticks and his hair was very tangled. He was difficult to approach and was very fearful. However, after a few weeks, he has become much more friendly and social.

Micky has found a permanent home in Holland. He will be transported from Amorgos to the Athens airport on Dec 10, 2013. Friends will fly with him to Holland. Micky's new family is a nice young couple who had a dog that died at the age of 16 some years ago. Now they are ready for another dog and they are looking forward to Micky's arrival. Bon voyage Micky! We wish you all the best!

,

Schubert’s Story

,
Schubert

Schubert

Last August, a young boy carrying a box approached Heraclia, a board member of the Philozoike, who was talking to Paola, AZI’s founder. The boy told them he and a friend found a kitten and took it home in order to play with it. Two weeks later, the novelty wore off and the family no longer wanted it. They decided to bring the cat to the Philozoike.

Inside the box was a magnificent orange tabby, looking just like a little tiger. He must have been exhausted, as he fell asleep right away and slept for a good long time. He turned out to be a sweet and thankful little friend, moving with such lyricism and grace that his name, Schubert, came on its own.

Schubert and a friend

Schubert and a friend

Clearly, this was a special cat, and we were determined not to leave him behind. Our shelter was already full with cats waiting for adoption, so we made up our mind to find him a home in New York. He was given a full exam with all shots and received a passport, and soon we began our long journey from Amorgos to New York. He was an excellent and joyful traveler, approaching everything with curiosity.

In New York, Schubert was eagerly adopted by a loving family. His adoptive father is a musician and he now spends lots of time at the piano. A week after his arrival, Schubert was joined by a new American companion, Pablo, who is also a rescue. Today they are inseparable.

Despite the very happy ending, this story demonstrates the need for more education and awareness on the island. Taking a kitten away from its mother and then being unprepared for its care for the long-term results in the countless stray and abandoned cats on the island.  Also, removing young too soon from its mother exposes the kitten to illness, often spreading diseases between the cat communities across the island. We have much more work to do! Help us if you can with a donation of any amount; thank you for your support.

,

Iris and Laika are Adopted!

,

Sisters Iris and Laika were found by children last August as puppies. In January, they made the journey from Amorgos to Holland to be placed with their new families. We will miss them but are happy they have found real homes. Below are photos of Iris and Laika from the summer and on the recent trip to their new homes.

Iris1
Laika1
on the boat
on the boat
iris at airport
iris at airport
,

Tatum

,
Call me Tatum...

The original idea was to name me after the one armed basketball player who joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 1945 and never scored less than 18 points per game… with one arm! His name was actually Boid Buie, but there was a mix up at the office, and I ended up as Tatum, the greatest globetrotter of them all (though he had two arms). Well, behind this story is the fact that I am three legged kitten.

When I was barely able to walk, a motorist ran me over (and didn’t bother to stop, of course). Those who picked me up thought I was going to die, but then Doctor Despoti said let’s give it a shot and she amputated my leg. I survived and I now live in Holland. You never know what can happen to a strong willed cat:

Juliette, a Dutch member of AZI and Philozoike spoke about me to a very nice lady who drives an animal ambulance in Amsterdam (a great place, believe me) and she adopted me. She came to pick me up at the airport, and held me and hugged me. Quite a change, I tell you from the misery of my very first days on earth. Sometimes, of course, I feel a bit nostalgic for my island, hey, but when it comes to food and care, I tell you, there is no comparison. I love it here, and I am going to grow up as dexterous and nimble as both Boid Buie and Tatum put together.

 

,

The Continuing Work of Dr. Vassalakis

,

Summer 2010

Dr. Vassalakis, our traveling vet from Naxos, went to the island of Amorgos three times during the year 2010, to continue his work of sterilization, vaccination and emergency surgeries for the dogs, cats and other animals of Amorgos. He also provided passports to those lucky dogs who were to be adopted in Holland. To prepare a dog for travel outside of Greece, we must micro-chip, vaccinate, and apply for a passport for the animal. All of this adds up to about 350 euros per animal.

On the road, treating a dog with a broken leg

Setting up AZI clinic in Xilokeratidi

,

Holland is a Happy Home for Two Amorgos Dogs!

,

July 2010 — As many of you may know from earlier updates, two dogs from Amorgos had been relocated to Holland. Here is an update on the lives of these special dogs:

Charley in his bike cart.

Koutcho is now called Charley. He is living the good life with a young couple who generously adopted him after he arrived in Holland in Dec 2009. They could see beyond his lame front leg  and saw the goodness inside. Charley now gets to go travelling all over Holland, when he accompanies his new owner on his business trips. He also loves going out for bike rides in his special bike-cart with his new family. At home he feels safe and loved and has become friends with two fellow cats. A happy ending for a deserving dog.

Fovitziari was a fearful, traumatized dog when we first met him. We worried that being separated from his pal Koutcho would be difficult for him. It turns out that there was no need for concern. He made a lot of progress while being fostered with Mariette, and when she saw that he was relaxing into his new life in Holland, she found a permanent home for him not far from where she lives. Now, “Fozzy” is cherished member of a family and best friends with a teenage autistic boy. The boy and the dog, both with their handicaps, have bonded and seem meant for each other. It turns out that Fozzy loves being the center of attention!