The Danger of Grass Awn

A young cat with a serious eye infection was brought to our Center by her owner after first attempting to treat the problem at home with eye drops. Seeing no improvement, her owner realized that more intervention was needed and it turned out that a grass awn was embedded in the eye.

We managed to remove the awn and after treatment with antibiotic eye drops the cat is once again healthy and happy. Grass awn can be very dangerous for animals since it can embed in the eyes, the ear, the nose and even between the tender pads of the paws.

During spring and summer this is especially dangerous for dogs and cats and, so, if you notice an infection or even an irritation it would be wise to bring your animal to the vet so that the grass awn can be removed. We thank this young cat’s owner for being vigilant and we hope to spread the word about this danger.

For more information, visit https://thepethospitals.com/beware-grass-awns/ and https://www.thesprucepets.com/grass-awns-foxtail-protect-your-pets-3384937

Rebeca

Rebeca was found alone on the streets of Chora by a very kind child. He saw Rebeca sitting in a corner unable to move because her both eyes were completely shut, struck by severe infection. He immediately pick her up and brought her to our Center.

After 1 week of treatment Rebeca is completely healthy and she plays non stop. Her little friend visited our Center in order to see her and he was very happy to see her fully healed.

See a video of her making her super-kitten moves—https://youtu.be/18TWLK_Bsxw

Rebeca is now available for adoption! Please contact us at azi.amorgos@gmail.com if you are interested. Or help us with her nutritional and medical needs by making a small donation in her honor https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Tortuel

Some weeks ago, a young French couple vacationing in Amorgos came across a tiny blind kitten on the streets of Tholaria. They brought the kitten to our Center in Katapola and visited the kitten during the last two days of their stay. Saying goodby to this small being that they had rescued was difficult and they decided to adopt her and bring her to their home in Paris once she had recovered from her difficult time living alone on the streets.

This magnificent couple has traveled from Paris to Mykonos and now to Naxos where they received tiny Tortuel from our veterinarian. She is now living happily in Paris with her loving and wonderful new family. We are profoundly grateful for the kindness and generosity of those who help us in our ongoing work to make the animal kingdom of these islands a safe and healthy one.

Our work on Amorgos is dependent of your donations. Please help us help these helpless creatures and make a contribution today! https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

New Arrivals

During a trip to Syros, on an afternoon walk in beautiful Ermoupoli (the capital of Cyclades) we came across three abandoned kittens. Two of them appeared very sick but the third was in better condition. Desperate and not knowing what to do, we called our vet Manolis Vorisis who lives and works in Syros. Manolis sent a volunteer to take the kittens to the clinic where he works.

Sadly, the two sick ones could not be saved. But the third kitten (the tri-color calico), after 2 days of being hospitalized in the clinic, made a full recovery and came back with us to Amorgos. Her name now is Fani.

During the same period another kitten was found abandoned on the streets of Amorgos and was brought to our Center. We named her Frinta. The kittens are exactly the same age so they became immediately friends.

As you can imagine, they have a lot of energy and they do not stop playing. These two adorable kittens are available for adoption—please contact us at azi.amorgos@gmail.com if you are interested. They will thrive in a loving home!

Help AZI Raise Funds on GoFundMe!

AZI has created a GoFundMe page to raise money for pay for food and vaccinations for the cats of Amorgos.

Check it out here: https://www.gofundme.com/animalzoneinternational

And please help us spread the word! 

Ready for Release

Makis is Ready for Release

One of the kittens from Arkesini, who came to us during our sterilization program, was in such bad shape that we kept him at our center in hopes of helping him regain his health.

After two weeks of medication and proper nutrition, Makis has gained weight, was neutered and is now ready to go back to his home neighborhood.

Unfortunately, the situation in the area of Arkesini, as well as the entire region of Kato Meria, is not good. The stray cats there are starving and we have heard of many poisonings.

We wish to bring stability to this area but we can't do it without your help. Please donate and join our efforts to create a better life for the stray cats and kittens of Amorgos.

No amount is too small. Please give today!

Spring Sterilization Program

AZI's sterilization program was a success! We surpassed our goal of sixty cats by three: the final count was sixty-three cats in two days.

Thirty-four females and twenty-nine males are now protected against producing the scores of litters that leave too many fragile kittens suffering from malnutrition and infection across our island.

Most of the cats came from the area of Katapola. Two were from Saint George Valsamitis, six were from Arkesini, and one came from Tholaria (Aegiali).

We want to thank all of those kind residents who helped us to bring these strays to our center—it was truly an all-island project.

All of the cats are now back in their home territory except for three sick ones who were too weak to withstand the operation. We are now treating their wounds with antibiotics and hoping very much that all three will soon be strong enough to bear the procedure and be returned to their home areas.

Animal Zone International along with the Municipality of Amorgos funded the cost of the vet Dr. Manolis Vorisis, his transportation, as well as the medications and surgical materials that were necessary to make this program a great success.

As well, we want to thank the lovely Pension Anna (http://www.studioanna-amorgoa.com/) for hosting Dr. Vorisis at their wonderful hotel. Thank you all!

SPRING STERILIZATION PROGRAM FOR CATS

Animal Zone International, in cooperation with the Municipality of Amorgos, will be conducting a sterilization program for stray cats on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 of March 2018. The cost of the program will be covered by Animal Zone International and the Municipality of Amorgos.

Owners who do not wish their cats to be sterilized are kindly requested to keep them in their home on the two days when the program is being conducted or to place a collar around their necks so that our volunteers will not catch them.

As a reminder, according to Law 4039/2012, article 5, item g: The owner of the dominant pet is obliged to take care of its sterilization if he does not wish to keep the newborn animals or can not dispose them to new owners. He is also required to ensure the microchip and the recording of his animal as well as to issue a health booklet, but also to place a metallic badge on the collar of the animal, which is provided annually by the veterinarians during the annual rabies vaccination.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite arrived at our Center a few weeks ago, looking very unwell. She had serious infections in both her eyes as well as a respiratory infection. She had no appetite and was just skin and bones.

Now after a few weeks in our care, with proper nutrition and medical treatment, she has fully recovered and will so be able to return to her normal life. Doesn't she look gorgeous now? 

Ermis and Dias

Last May, two kittens were found left alone in a chicken coop and brought to our Center where they received health-restoring treatments. The Filozoiki's secretary Anna Maria brought the kittens home to live with her and her daughter Melina.

Melina fell madly in love with the kittens and named them Ermis and Dias. She sleeps with them, cares for them, and even sews clothes for them. What a thrill to know that Ermis and Dias have found love and joy in a safe and caring home.

We wish them all a long and happy life together. And a Happy Valentine's Day to all!

AZI Cats Video

A short video featuring a few of AZI's cats and their amazing transformations. Many conditions of these cats are typical of the cases that we see (eye infections, injuries, etc.). Part of AZI's mission is to prevent these common diseases with vaccinations and anti-parasitic treatments; a very simple method to create a much healthier environment for all to live. Please consider helping us to pay for the treatments and making a donation. Best of all these kittens grow up to be wonderful feline companions—perhaps you would consider adopting one, even if virtually!

AZI's Amazing Cats

At AZI's Center in Pera Rachidi, we care for the cats and dogs that have been rescued and are awaiting adoption. The animals have their own separate area but they can also choose to go outside and enjoy fresh air and the Amorgos countryside just outside the center.

While they have the company of the other cats and dogs, we would much rather that they find their own homes and families to live with. Please look through our adoption page here, and consider adopting one of these amazing and sweet animals. They are waiting for you!

New Beginnings for Lily

Until recently, it was not common practice for families of Amorgos to adopt animals from local welfare associations, but, in the last few months we have been thrilled to find that four of our animals from the Center have found loving homes.

Today, a small kitten only four months old has been adopted by a local couple who had lost their own cat, Melenia. Mr. Kostas Sigalas came to us hoping to adopt a kitten as a gift for his wife, Despoina, who was grieving over the loss of her beloved cat. Mr. Siglas chose little Lily, who, amazingly, looks much like their own Melenia.

Today, with tears in her eyes, Mrs. Despoina welcomed little Lily into her home and, because she spends many hours alone, Lily will be great company for this kind lady. A loving relationship has begun and we wish many many long years of happiness together for the Despoinas and their new family member.

Zizi

In May of 2017, little Zizi was abandoned, together with her brothers, outside of the primary school of Potamos in Aegiali.

After a difficult struggle her small brothers were not able to survive but little Zizi showed a gift for life that helped her to grow strong in her time at our Center. Now, Zizi has been adopted by a local family in Langada, Aeliali where she shares the love and care of a family with two young boys who clearly adore her.

We are thankful for another happy ending for another young member of the animal kingdom.
 

Sterilization program completed with success

Our two-day sterilization program on the 3rd and 4th of November has been a great
success. Over fifty-six cats -thirty females and twenty-six males- are now unable to
increase the number of feral kittens in the areas of Agiali, Chora and Katapola and
they are all in good health and have been released back into their home turf.

We want to thank Dr. Manolis Vorisis and his wife Nikoletta Delasouda for their
amazing work and for the kindness and generosity with which they have donated
their expertise to the feral cat colonies of Amorgos.

We also want to thank Mr. Michael Koveos for his generosity in providing accommodation for our two vets in his Anna Studios Pension.

The Municipality of Amorgos has been a great partner in this program as has the
local animal welfare association, “Filozoiki Merimna of Amorgos” and its many
volunteers as well as those wonderful residents of Amorgos who helped in this
important project sponsored by Animal Zone International.

And we have committed to another program to be held in March.

Our wonderful team, from left to right, Nikoletta Delasouda, Anna- Maria Markentoudi, her daughter Melina, Hariklia Psaki, Dr. Manolis Vorisis and Litsa Passari.

Little Melina was a great partner in helping to care for the cats after their surgeries.

Sterilization for stray cats

On Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th of November, Animal Zone International, in
collaboration with Amorgos Animal Welfare Society (Filozoiki Merimna of Amorgos)
and the Municipality of Amorgos, will carry out a sterilization program for stray cats
and kittens and the cost of this important program will be covered by Animal Zone
International.
We are asking anyone who is aware of stray cats in their area to contact us at the
following numbers:
The Animal Zone Internatioinal office: 22850-71716
Litsa Passari: 6974990045
As a reminder, we include the text of the Greek Law 4039/2013, article 5, item G:
“The owner of a pet is obliged to care for the sterilization of that pet and, if there
have been any offspring from that pet, to find homes for the newborns. The owner is
also required by law to register their pet as well as to ensure that a microchip is
placed in the body of that pet. At the required annual visit to a veterinarian for a
rabies vaccination, a metal badge will be given to be attached to the collar of their
pet providing proof of that vaccination.”

Fluffy's Good News!

Dear friends,

Fluffy, our beautiful and truly special blind cat, after staying at our Center for two years and despite being positive in FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency virus), has finally found her own home in Holland!

Mirtos Animal Project, an organization in Holland with which we cooperate, has found a new home where Fluffy will live with 2 dogs. (Her medical condition prevents her from going to a home with healthy cats.) 

Mirtos also found a flight escort for her which is great news. Animal Zone is responsible for paying for her transportation from Amorgos to the airport in Athens (boat and metro tickets), passport fees and health check up (microchipping and flea and tick prevention medicine) and carrying case. All of this will cost approximately 200 euro.

Won't you consider making a donation to help us send Fluffy to her forever home?

Donations can be made here, or if you wish to send money directly to Dr. Vasalakis, our vet, below is his wire transfer information.

Bank: PIRAEUS BANK
Ιban number: GR95 0171 3610 0063 6101 0072 331
SWIFT: PIRBGRAA
Name of the account: Vasalakis Dimitrios - Kontopidi Maria

(Please add a note: For Fluffy/Animal Zone Intl)

We are so happy for Fluffy and are grateful for our friends and supporters who wish her well. Please help if you can. 

Fluffy, our beautiful gentle blind cat

Fluffy gives many kisses to her canine friend Ektoras

When she arrived as a kitten in 2015

She's come a long way! We are so happy to know she will have a loving home in Holland

Little Zizi Takes Care of her Brother

Little Zizi, only three weeks old, came to our Center one week ago and, after receiving intensive care, she has begun to eat by herself. She has now transformed into a playful and active kitten.

Yesterday Zizi’s brother was brought to us in serious condition and Zizi has turned out to be the best of nurses. She stays with her brother and licks him and comforts him, and her miraculous care has brought him to the point that we believe this little boy will survive.

The family who had adopted him is looking forward to having him back home and they are seriously thinking of bringing young Zizi along with him. We certainly hope Zizi and her brother can be placed together.

You can see a small video of Zizi's sweet, attentive care here: https://youtu.be/5b2CsBC3zZw

Zizi’s brother arrives at the Center

Zizi cares for her brother

Zizi’s brother grows stronger.

Documentary about Aegiali Project cat sterilizations

In Amorgos we care for the health and safety of the island cats and their kittens but no animal in need is ever turned away from our center. The cats and dogs of this rocky island, the mules and horses and donkeys and goats and geese of Amorgos are all given aid and comfort by our extraordinary group of veterinarians and volunteers who even, at times, find themselves caring for a sick rabbit or a wounded hawk. Our Center is a hospital and a temporary place of shelter and recuperation. For some it has even become a permanent home. But there is so much more to do.

Will you help us keep this project alive, not only for these defenseless members of the animal kingdom, but, perhaps, also to serve as a model for other centers throughout Greece and beyond.

Please consider donating: we are in urgent need of help!

Little Voulitsa

Little Voulitsa was living with her mother, Voula, and her three siblings in an area where there had been serious outbreaks of disease and infection. Her mother Voula was released back into her home area after having been spayed but we felt that we could not allow Voulitsa to return with her mother since the area is extremely dangerous for young kittens.

Voulitsa is now six months old and she remains at our Center but she is available for adoption. If a home cannot be found for her, in spring when the weather is warmer, then Voulitsa will have to go back to her area.

We ask you to open your heart and home for Voulitsa. The life of a stray is a very hard life. Voulitsa needs a true home. She is now a healthy and active and playful kitten who loves to be hugged. What a gem!

Her microchip number is 941000016719360 and below, you will find photographs of the beautiful girl she has grown into.

Voulitsa arrived as a very sick kitten

After intense treatment, she became well

Now Voulitsa is a beauty

And playful too

Won't you adopt her?