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GAWF Delivers Care to Equines on Amorgos

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On June 19 & 20, 2013, GAWF (Greek Animal Welfare Fund) made their annual visit to Amorgos. Veterinarian & farrier team Eliza Geskou and Giannis Brastianos treated 32 donkeys, 4 horses and 12 mules. This year many new equines were treated on the island in addition to the animals sheltered at AZI's stable. In general the body conditions of the animals were found to be good. Most needed routine dentistry and farriery care. A few cases of fly-bitten legs were seen and treated and insect-repellent medicine was given to all equines.

It was a successful visit. They could follow up on cases from previous visits in 2012 and 2011, and also treated many new equines in new parts of the island. We were very pleased with the turnout. Thank you, GAWF!

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Chloe the kitten

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Chloe and her brother Cooper were rescued in May at 2 weeks old after their mother was poisoned and died. Sadly, Cooper did not survive but his little sister Chloe is stronger and we believe that she'll manage to pull through. Liza, our rescue dog, has taken on the role of the unofficial "nurse" of the shelter. She is seen here, offering comfort and warmth to Chloe.

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Meet Micky, Another Rescue

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Micky before

Micky before

Micky after a haircut

Micky after a haircut

Micky is a 6-year-old Maltese mix that came to our shelter about three days ago. His owner passed away during the winter and no one else wanted him so Micky roamed freely in Chora and lived in poor conditions. He was difficult to approach and acted very fearfully. When we got him, he was full of fleas and ticks and his hair was very tangled. Although he allowed Litsa to give him a bath, she reports he needs delicate handling and calm movements. He was taken to the vet to have a complete medical examination, and he was given a clean bill of health. We are searching for a good home for him (probably one without children would work best). Until then he will be staying with Liza at the shelter. May 27, 2013: Micky received his first vaccines and is becoming more sociable and less fearful. He's still looking for a new home. Please email info@animal-zone.org if you are interested in adopting him.

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Liza's story, continued

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Liza at the shelter

Liza at the shelter

A complaint was filed on April 1, 2013 by the Filozoiki Merimna of Amorgos against Liza’s owner for abandonment, abuse and exposing the dog to danger. On April 17, 2013, the public prosecutor of Naxos announced a decision to initiate criminal proceedings against the owner and thereby allowing us to keep Liza in our shelter until a final decision is rendered. We hope that the verdict will remove from the owner legally and allow us to find a permanent and loving home for her.

In the meantime, Liza has been enjoying life with the cats in the shelter, and is proving to be a sweet and caring dog. We just love her and know she deserves the best!

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A Rescue

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Liza when we found her

Liza when we found her

Cleaning up Liza

Cleaning up Liza

Liza healthy and happy

Liza healthy and happy

On March 21, a call came in about an abandoned dog on the side of the road in Chora. Two volunteers went in search of the dog and discovered a dog in a clipboard cage (see photo). The cage was so small the dog could not raise her head and forced her to sit her own feces. We called the police immediately. According to Greek law, all dogs found on the road are considered stray and animal welfare associations are able to claim it. However, the policeman who arrived told us not to take the dog and wanted us to wait for the owner. We told him we'd wait 10 minutes and after that the owner could claim it from us with the proper paperwork.

The owner did not arrive, so we took the dog to our shelter. The dog was given an exam by the vet, and was diagnosed with poor nutritional status, dehydration, and having an intense parasitic load—ticks were all over her body. She was later found to have ehrlichia (no surprise as it is transmitted by ticks), and is currently under treatment.

We have given her the name Liza and she is doing well at the shelter. She is a very happy and sweet dog and we hope that when the time comes we'll be able to find a loving home for her.

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Schubert’s Story

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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.

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Clean Monday

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Yesterday was Clean Monday, a public holiday in Greece, marking the end of carnival and the beginning of the 40-day fast before Easter. To celebrate Clean Monday, people head to the mountains or the beaches to fly a kite, eat, and dance. Members of Filozoiki Merimna and their children spent the day together on the mountain Minwa, eating, drinking, playing and walking their dogs. Everyone and had a wonderful time.

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Special Cat Seeks Special Home

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Afroditi is a beautiful 2-year-old cat, whose back legs are paralyzed due to an old fracture. She arrived at the shelter in December, and is very shy and fearful, spending most of her time in the closet. With her immobile back legs, she walks on her knees, which results in cuts on her legs if she goes outside. Luckily, if she stays indoors, she does just fine.

We are hoping to find an experienced cat handler to foster her, someone who is willing to give her tender loving care and help her come out of her shell. She is a special girl and we'd love to see her become more confident and relaxed.

If you are interested in helping Afroditi, please contact us at info@animal-zone.org.

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A Big Thanks to the Volunteer Vets

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Three vets from EDKE, Voluntary Action of Veterinarians Greece, came for a second time to Amorgos. During the weekend of March 2nd and 3rd, with their invaluable help, 45 cats and 2 dogs were spayed/neutered. All cats were given a thorough health exam and dewormed. The two dogs also received microchips and were vaccinated for rabies. Because of them and their efforts, the weekend was a great success. Thank you to Drs. Angeliki Degkleri, Themistoclis Michael, Attalidou Pigi as well as to Dr. Maria Despoti.

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Meet Donald and Ntaizi

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Donald and Ntaizi

Donald and Ntaizi

Siblings

Siblings

These two adorable black kittens are Donald and Ntaizi, who are brother and sister. As you can see, they have a very close relationship and love to be together. They were found on the road as kittens and arrived at the shelter mid-September 2012. Now, they are healthy 7-month-olds looking for a new home. They are a number of other cats are available for adoption. 

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Celebrating the New Year with the Philozoiki

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On Friday Feb 22, 2013, members and supporters of the Philozoiki celebrated by cutting the new year cake at the Cafe Elichryson. Cutting a new year cake is a Greek tradition. A coin is baked inside the cake, and whoever gets the piece with the coin is supposed to have good luck in the New Year. It's going to be a good year for the Philozoiki: the coin was found in the their piece!

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January Cats

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Manos

Manos

Scoombi
Scoombi

Manos was brought in on January 21st. He is approximately 6 months old and has white shadows under his eyes. He is being treated with Neomycin drops and dewormed. Initially he was being treated in the habitat where he was found but doing this proved too difficult and he has been brought to the clinic for treatment.

Scoombi was found on the road and brought in. He is blind and was dehydrated when he was found. He has been treated with the antibiotic Baytril and physiological serum. At present he is being kept at the clinic.

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Iris and Laika are Adopted!

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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