Spay/Neuter Program Spring 2021

The Spring sterilization program was completed successfully. A total of 145 stray cats (81 female and 64 male) were spay/neutered from all the villages of Amorgos, as well as 2 male dogs from AZI's shelter.

The program was made in collaboration with the Municipality of Amorgos, Animal Zone International, and Aegean Cats / “We live together” (www.welivetogether.gr).

We would first like to thank our amazing veterinarian Dr. Manolis Vorrisis, the founder of "We live together" (based on the island of Syros) for the uninterrupted support and assistance. Also we offer sincere thanks to the Municipality of Amorgos for the continuous support and perfect cooperation, the veterinarian Dr. Anna-Katerina Bacher who came from Thessaloniki to work for our sterilization program, the local veterinarian Dr. Dimitris Simos for his participation and impeccable cooperation, our Chariklia Psaki who worked eagerly as a veterinarian assistant, our amazing volunteers Giorgos, Anna, Mata, Melina, Lamia, Evangelia, Ventoula, Maria, Sofia, Fani and Alexandros who "plowed the island" and went up and down many stairs in order to collect and release cats as well as to assist in the clinic and of course all the inhabitants of the island who helped each in his own way. Thank you all!

This sterilization program is crucial for both the cats and the residents of the island. Without this effort, the population of cats would explode to unsustainable levels. Cats reach the age of reproduction very quickly at 6 months and 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 sick, suffering from malnutrition and common infections, and increasing dissatisfaction within the community. When the cat population is under control, we are able to give them proper food and treatments for parasites, so that their overall health improves which reduces their risk of being a nuisance. Suffering is reduced and harmony is achieved.

Regarding the contradiction which speaks of interference in the nature of the animal, our veterinarian Dr. Manolis Vorrisis points out that “for us, the cat is not a wild animal, but a pet. We intervene because we want her near us. Just as we intervene in our own lives with medical procedures etc. to benefit our health, we also intervene in hers.” To us, it’s clear that it is the right thing to do.

If you agree, please continue to support our efforts to improve the lives of the cats of Amorgos. Make a donation to AZI today. Thank you!

Rescue of two dogs

On Saturday, December 5, 2020, we received a call from the Public Prosecutor of Naxos who asked us if we could host two dogs who were living in miserable conditions and needed to be urgently removed from their current situation. The prosecutor had ordered their removal after receiving a complaint from an Italian visitor to our island.

When we arrived at the scene, we found two emaciated dogs—literally skin and bones—fenced in a small unsanitary enclosure with two inadequate shelters. One was chained while the other was free. There were buckets of a dark green-yellow liquid that perhaps once contained water. The brown dog was called Jack and he had scars on his face. The other dog, a white and brown one, was called Voris, and he had matted fur with many bald spots and an old injury on his chin. The dogs were clearly neglected and the stench coming from both of them was unbelievable.

We took Jack and Voris to the vet that very afternoon and, after the necessary examinations, both were taken to our shelter. Both dogs got blood tests to further investigate their state of health. Jack, the older dog, was found to be healthy while Voris turned out to have a serious liver problem, requiring special treatment as well as prescription dog food and supplements. In one month he will be checked again, and we hope that we will see signs of improvement.

On December 22, 2020, after examining all the evidence that had been gathered, the Public Prosecutor issued a new provision that permanently removed the dogs from their owner and officially entrusted them to Animal Zone International. We are relieved, for now the road for adoption is open to them. We will search high and low for a good, loving, and safe home for them.

Since then, Jack and Voris have been doing very well. They eat with gusto and have happily put on weight. They have been groomed, dewormed, and treated for fleas and ticks. They go for long walks in the mornings and afternoons and are enjoying their newfound freedom. Jack, a handsome Segugio Italiano, is about 9 years old; Voris is about 7 years old and is a beautiful English setter.

We hope that a good home will be found for them soon—it’s what these two most deserve, a happy new life in peace and comfort. If you’d like to help them, please consider a donation for their care (food, medicine, and hopefully soon, funds to help with their adoption). No donation is too small. Your help is needed and very much appreciated! Donate here: https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Casper

In May 2020, Casper was found abandoned in a remote area of Amorgos, thin and very frightened. (You can read the original post of his story here.)

Once rescued, Casper turned into a darling boy. From the start, a number of people showed interest in adopting him but in those early months he was frightened of everyone so we decided to keep him a little longer until he began feel more secure.

Casper was temporarily placed with a family with extensive experience nurturing dogs who have experienced trauma and soon he blossomed into a calmer dog. Once he was ready for adoption, a family in Holland was ready and waiting for him but Covid-19 made travel impossible.

Finally, in January of 2021, Casper traveled from Amorgos to Piraeus with our program coordinator and the next morning he was on his way to his new home. Casper is now a Dutch National and he loves his new home and his new dad.

We offer our thanks to Herman for giving a loving home to this sweet boy and we thank Mirtos Animal Project for helping to make this possible.

To our tiny sweet ghost, we wish you a wonderful long life with your new family.

Mayia

Mayia is a small dog weighing about 7 kilos /15 lbs. She was abandoned along with another dog, Casper, back in Spring 2020, somewhere near the village of Kolofana.

We were able to rescue Casper easily but Mayia eluded us the entire summer. In October, a kind man from Kolofana spotted her following his dog. We asked for his help to secure Mayia by putting food out in an enclosed area. The next day he called us to get her; she was in his garage.

When we first met her, Mayia was completely scared and she kept trying to run away, and on a walk she did just that, pulling out of her harness and disappearing once again. We didn’t see her or hear anything about her for a long while.

Then, about two weeks before Christmas, we had some good news—a shepherd spotted a loose dog in the mountains. When he saw Mayia's picture, he said it was her, so we had him help us rescue her by putting food in an enclosed area once again. A week later, just two days before Christmas, the shepherd called saying he had Mayia. Finally, she was back with us at our Center, and the hard work to socialize her began. We also made sure her harness was secure on walks this time!

After a couple of weeks, Mayia improved quite a bit and she is learning to trust people more. She has bonded with our volunteer Giorgos with whom she spends most of her time. She was also reunited with her brother Casper and plays with him a lot. We’re thrilled to see her happy and safe. Welcome sweet Mayia!