Sfigos crosses the rainbow

We are sad to report that Sfigos, our 14-15 year old feline mascot of AZI’s Center, has passed away.

Sfigos had become unsteady in his hind legs in his old age, but then it got so bad that he started to drag himself. In addition, a tumor appeared in his ear. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with a herniated disc in the spine and cancer in the ear in a difficult spot near the head.  

It was with a very heavy heart that we agreed to euthanasia because we didn’t want him to suffer either by being in pain or by being stuck living a reduced life in a cage or being stuck indoors (he was an outdoor cat).

We hope we made the right decision and that our sweet Sfigos now lives in another, better world. We miss you a lot our sweet, beautiful boy.

Mediterranean Seal Rescue Network Kit

As part of AZI's participation in the Mediterranean Seal Rescue Network we received a small "kit" for providing first aid to seals in need from Society for the Study and Protection of the Mediterranean Seal (MOm).

This kit contains: Esophageal feeding tube, feeding funnel, towel & disposable suit for small orphaned animal cases and scalpel and sampling vial for dead animal cases. It also contains a short first response guide in the event of a seal in distress.

In the last 2 years we have rescued several newborn orphaned seals, so this kit will be very useful for future cases when we encounter seals in need. Monk seals (Monachus monachus) are an endangered species.

A big thank you to MOm's team for the wonderful work they do in the Greek seas and for their unwavering support whenever we need them in a seal-in-distress incident.

Panhellenic Animal Welfare School Day

The announcement of the Ministry of Education 28131/GD4/15-3-2024 filled us with joy and optimism for the future, as it declares the 4th of April each year as the Panhellenic Animal Welfare School Day. Beginning this year, April 4th, the International Day of Stray Animals, is being established in Greek Primary and Secondary Education schools as Panhellenic Animal Welfare Day.

Expected results of the Panhellenic Animal Welfare School Day are the information and awareness of students about biodiversity and the various forms of life, with an emphasis on well-being and the cultivation of sensitivity and empathy for every living being, the recognition and respect of the rights of animals through their active protection, as well as the involvement of male and female students in activities of taking actions and animal welfare initiatives.

In the context of these actions and after an invitation from the teachers, AZI visited the primary school of Katapola. Together with the students, we watched a short film titled "Life through the Eyes of Stray Animals" and some spots, followed by a discussion about animal welfare. The students then created and painted animal-themed posters and bookmarks and then we walked together to our equine shelter where the children met the animals, learned about them, and treated them with carrots and apples. Τhen the students visited our Center where the local vet Dr. Dimitrios Simos spoke to them, met and played with our cats as well as a baby goat.

It was a very beautiful day for children and adults alike!

We want to warmly thank the teachers who gave us the opportunity to talk to the children and acquaint them with the animals and our Center and shelter.

Winter sterilization program completed

The Municipality of Amorgos, in collaboration with Animal Zone International, held a 14-day sterilization program for stray cats. A total of 164 stray cats (80 females and 84 males) from most of the villages of Amorgos were sterilized.

In addition, all animals received vaccines against panleukopenia, calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, and rabies as well as anti-parasitic treatment. Additionally they were tagged electronically (microchipped).

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 our Chariklia Psaki who worked eagerly as a veterinarian assistant.

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://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI.

Rescue of a Eurasian sparrowhawk

January 2024—Early in January, we were informed by the local veterinarian Dr. Dimitrios Simos about an injured bird in a field in Chora. Dr. Simos brought the bird to our Center where it received first aid. The next day it was sent to the Alkyoni – Aegean Wildlife Hospital in Paros.

The bird is a Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus (for more info visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_sparrowhawk). Its injury was one of the worst fractures we have seen on a bird's wing. Luckily the fracture is in a ‘good spot’ and luckily our partners at Alkyoni have a lot of experience and do an exceptional job, so we hope that it will be free to fly the skies. However if that isn’t possible, he will remain with other disabled birds at Alkyoni's facilities in Paros. 

Alkyoni – Aegean Wildlife Hospital is doing amazing work for wild birds in Greece and we thank them very much for that. If you want to learn more and would like to consider supporting them, visit https://alkioni.org/

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Winter sterilization program

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19 — FRIDAY, MARCH 1st, 2024

Come with us to sterilize the strays of our neighborhood!

The Municipality of Amorgos and Animal Zone International will carry out a sterilization program for stray cats. According to Law 4830/2021, article 9 (par. 1) & 10, sterilization of dogs and cats is MANDATORY except for the animals whose genetic sample of material (DNA) has been sent to the genetic storage and analysis laboratory pet.

The surgeries will take place at the Veterinary clinic of Animal Zone International in Pera Rachidi (Katapola)

Contact telephone numbers: 22850-71717 & 697 4990 045

Sponsor: Blue Star Ferries

Help for Billy

Billy is just a 6 month old kitten but his life has already been full of difficulties and hardships. Billy got trapped in the engine of a car and somehow he was lucky enough not to get minced. But he did sustain a bad wound in his tail and a very bad fracture on his right hind leg which requires orthopedic surgery or amputation. On top of that, he is suffering from a very bad infection of fungus causing him to lose entire tufts of his fur.

Yet despite this, his sweet personality came through. He is a very tender and sweet creature. For us, there is no question. When a leg could be saved with surgery, amputation was not even an option. So we contacted an orthopedic surgeon vet in Athens and scheduled Billy's surgery for the morning of January 19.

But we will your help to pay for this procedure. The cost of the surgery itself is 600 euro plus 24% VAT, so 744,00 euro in total. Billy needs also to take a syrup against fungus which costs 56,00 euro, so the minimum we need to collect is 800,00 euro.

He is eating well and gaining weight and he is also incredibly cuddly and sweet so after all he will need a home. And of course he will need all your positive energy and thoughts because Billy is an underweight, unvaccinated, full of fungus stray kitten and the risk during anesthesia is big.

Every little bit helps ... If you’d like to help, please consider supporting our efforts with a donation. We appreciate your help, no matter how small: https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Sweet Zoe needs a home!

In June 2023, one and a half- month-old Zoe came to us suffering from an eye infection and respiratory disease. We began an intensive treatment that cured the respiratory problems but she had already lost her right eye and the infection to the left eye threatened to leave impaired vision. This would have been disastrous for her as she was already blind in one eye and was in danger of becoming completely blind. Thank goodness after long-term treatment we managed to save the left eye!!

Since then Zoe is fostered in our Center as when she completed her treatment was too young to return back to the streets, and then winter came! She is 8 month old , is spayed and vaccinated. In spring, when the weather turns warm again we will return sweet Zoe to her neighborhood…unless someone is willing to adopt her. Life in a warm home is always better than the life on the streets, and as a friendly kitty, we hope a loving family will come forward and give her the happy life he deserves. How about yours?

Voris is adopted!!

Τhe year 2023 ended with a very beautiful surprise as its finale—both our rescue dogs Jack and Voris were adopted! The Christmas holidays found both our boys in their new homes! Needless to say how happy we felt for that. (You can read their original post here.)

In the 3 years we had had them in our care, there was not the slightest interest shown in adopting them. Not even a message or a question although they were available for adoption through various organizations in Holland, USA and Italy. We don't know if it was because they were old or liked to chase cats, rabbits and birds or if they were just unlucky. What is certain is that their luck turned in their favour. It started with Jack who was adopted in Italy by our good friends Piero and Beatrice. It was as if with this adoption the bad energy broke and in a very short time the good news came for Voris as well.

Initially there was an interest in hosting Voris from a very sweet person, our new friend Rainer who hosted him in his house in Amorgos. At the same time, on the other side of Europe, an effort was being made to find a permanent home for him. The good news didn't take long to come and Voris would be traveling from Amorgos to Sweden with his good friend Rainer. From Amorgos to Athens, from Athens to Denmark and from Denmark to Sweden, until Voris officially became a Swedish citizen!! Enjoy the video with him in his new country where he finally has what every dog deserves, a warm house and his own family to love and care for him! With Kasja it was love at first sight!

We always try to offer the best we can to the dogs in our care. They can have a kennel to protect them from the weather conditions, they can have clean water, they can have proper food, they can have their medication and vet attention and care when needed, they can have their walks and human presence and attention but at the end of the day they will go back to an impersonal shelter cage. Because this is life in a shelter. However, this is why shelters are places of temporary stay. The shelter is the place they will go to be protected from the dangers they face and it is the first step to a better life. Our goal for these animals is always to find their own family and the effort for this does not stop until this goal is achieved.

A HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing dream team who made this happen!!! Some wish to remain anonymous and we will respect that, but to those we are free to name, we thank Fanny, Rainer, Erica, Marie, Beatrice and Kasja. To all, thank yous are not enough for what you did for Voris and Jack. You are all AMAZING!

Have a wonderful long and happy new life sweet boys! We are finally relieved and very happy for you both Jack and Voris!!

Jack is Adopted!

Jack, a senior at 14 years old, came into our hands 3 years ago under a public prosecutor's order after being seized from his owner. Over the years there was no interest in adopting Jack, and we were afraid that he would die in a shelter without ever feeling the warmth of a family.

And then his angels appeared! Two AMAZING people who decided to offer this amazing dog the loving home he so desperately needs in the golden years of his life.

After spending a few days at with them in Amorgos, the big day of travel arrived. Jack left Amorgos to go to Piraeus, then went from Piraeus to Igoumenitsa, and from Igoumenitsa to Italy. And finally — home!!!

Jack is now in his country of origin as he is a purebred Italian Segugio and is officially an Italian citizen!!

Have a wonderful new, long, happy, cozy life sweet Jack!! We sincerely thank those who supported, loved, and tried hard to offer Jack a better life!

R.I.P. Singi

Our hearts broke yesterday when we had to say goodbye to the purest soul to grace this world.

Singi grew up at our Center since he was four months old. Two years ago he developed an autoimmune disease that created sores on his face. He visited the vet many times, he went through many treatments and fought hard but he left yesterday for the long journey.

Dear Singi, you were a fighter who taught our hearts so much about love and the will to live. You will forever be missed.

AZI Fall Benefit

Deception, Deep Fakes & Magic

A Benefit Evening for Animal Zone International

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 7 PM

Robert Simon Fine Art
22 East 80th Street • Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10075

Tickets: $250
A fully tax-deductible contribution

Join master magician and misdirection expert Mark Mitton for a presentation on the challenges of determining what is real and what is not. Mark will examine the brain science behind our susceptibility to the tricks of the conjurer, both human and AI-generated. Through the evening, Mark will astonish you with dazzling feats of prestidigitation and teach you magic tricks to impress your friends and colleagues.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Animal Zone International, a Greek-based non-profit devoted to the sustainability of the environment and the protection of animals.

Refreshments will be served.

Mark Mitton, Master Magician

Your tax-deductible donation translates directly into food, care, and medical treatment for countless animals on the Greek island of Amorgos.

Fall sterilization

The Municipality of Amorgos, in collaboration with Animal Zone International, held a 5-day sterilization program for stray cats from October 2-6, 2023. A total of 117 stray cats (56 females and 61 males) from most of the villages of Amorgos were sterilized.

In addition, all animals received vaccines against panleukopenia, calicivirus, feline herpesvirus, and rabies as well as anti-parasitic treatment. Additionally they were all tagged electronically (microchipped).

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 our Chariklia Psaki who worked eagerly as a veterinarian assistant. We wish to thank our amazing volunteers Giorgos, Fanny, Angeliki, Julia, Mata, Lamia, Eleftheria, Maria, Lilie, Fanny, Alexandros, Georgia, and Sofia 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 their own way.

We have renewed our appointment for February for one more sterilization program.

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 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://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI.

Feeders for stray cats

A longtime dream comes true. The Municipality of Amorgos and Animal Zone International have placed on a trial basis and at specific points feeders for the stray cats. The feeders were placed on spots where colonies of stray cats already existed and were being fed by volunteers. The purpose of placing the feeders is the existence of constantly available food for the stray cats of these areas as well as the maintenance of cleanliness since the food will not be put on the ground but in the feeder.

It is estimated that this will limit the prevalence of animals that are malnourished, cachectic, and therefore, more vulnerable to disease. It will also reduce the need for stray cats to forage from other sources (such as garbage bins), which in turn creates other problems. Finally, with the intensive program of sterilization for the stray cats that are fed in those specific areas, it is sought not to increase their number further.

The feeders were built with passion and love by Philippe Simermann and painted by the talented Kalliopi-Irini Zogopoulou (Kali). Both volunteered their time and talent and we are sincerely grateful for their generosity. The services of the Municipality of Amorgos will monitor the situation in the areas where the feeders were placed with the prospect of continuing this practice in other parts of the Municipality.

We ask residents who feed stray cats where there are feeders to put the food (dry food) in the feeder and not on the ground. We hope everyone is pleased (including the cats) with this smart improvement!

Autumn Sterilization program

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2 THROUGH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2023

The Municipality of Amorgos and Animal Zone International will carry out a sterilization program for stray cats.

We ask those who take care of stray cats in their area and those who are interested in participating to contact us promptly at telephone: 22850 71716 & 6974990045.

According to Law 4940/2022, article 52, sterilization of dogs and cats is mandatory except for the animals whose genetic sample of material (DNA) has been sent to the genetic storage and analysis laboratory pet material of article 13.

The participation of volunteers, mainly in catching and transporting animals, will significantly help us help more animals. Thank you!

An August kitten

A tiny creature came recently into our hands. He was found crying alone for several hours on the path to Kastri. He is growing in the experienced hands of Angeliki and once he gets a little older he will be available for adoption. Stay tuned!

It's raining Mediterranean shearwater (Puffinus Yelkouan)

Recently, in the area of Aegiali, it has literally been raining birds of the species Mediterranean shearwater (Puffinus Yelkouan). The birds for some strange reason sit on the ground and are unable to fly, although they are neither injured nor sick.

Let us know if you see any of these birds walking on the ground. Two of the birds in the photos are still being taken care of by us. We’ll keep them until they are stronger and can fly freely back to the sky.

Lucky is adopted!

Lucky, the kitten with the special ears, was adopted and yesterday he moved to his new family.

Adopting a kitten was the constant request of our little friend to her parents for two years. After much thought her parents gave her the green light to adopt a kitten from the animal shelter.

Her little face was shining with joy both when she chose him and also she finally took him in her arms. We are sure they will become the best of friends!!

Another baby monk seal in need

On Thursday, the 10th of August, we were called to assist the Port police of Amorgos in rescuing a newborn monk seal (monachus-monachus). The baby seal was found by tourists on the remote beach of Agious Saranta in Lefkes. After several hours of monitoring as per the protocol followed in such cases in the hope that she would be reunited with her mom, this was not to be.

Always in collaboration with MOM (an organization for the study and rescue of the Mediterranean seal), it was decided that we had to intervene by removing the animal and sending it to MOM's facilities in Athens, where she would receive proper care from the experienced hands of the people of MOM. Due to bad weather conditions, we could not reach the beach by boat so the only solution was to walk to and from the beach from the path, not an easy matter when carrying a baby monk seal, so we asked the help of the local rescue team EDOK Amorgou which responded immediately.

The baby was transferred to our Center where our vet in collaboration with MOM’s vet gave her first aid. The same afternoon, the baby was boarded on the ship to Piraeus, but sadly, the woman who was monitoring her informed us 4 hours later that the baby had died. Unfortunately, she lost her mom at a very, very early stage and the chances of survival were very slim. She was underweight, dehydrated, lethargic, and with improper breathing so it was difficult from the first moment.

We want to warmly thank MOM for all its support, guidance and cooperation and for the fact that they are the guardian angels of the Mediterranean seal in Greece—they do an incredible job. We also want to thank the tourists who spotted her and called the port police. The port police officers, who responded immediately, went up and down to the remote beach twice in order to check on her during the period and did all they needed to do to help her. The local veterinarian Dr. Dimitris Simos who responded immediately and did his job with zeal so as to offer the baby a chance of survival. The rescue team EDOK Amorgou who responded immediately to our request for assistance. Vaggelis Paravas who has been the head of MOM’s team for years and has the experience for such cases and, although he was on vacation on our island, he left it all back and came to help. Christina Katsarou who escorted the baby on the boat and was willing to offer what was needed to make the trip more comfortable for her. The crew of Blue Star Naxos who always offer their help and do their best. Chariklia Psaki and Georgios Zafiriou, who offered their time and hands and we left for last, Asimakis Pagidas because he deserves a BIG THANK YOU as he is the one who ran the whole project and he did it perfectly.

A very large chain was formed to save a rare baby and though it may not have succeeded we saw once again that there are still HUMANS and there are enough of them who care. But we also saw what survival difficulties these creatures face and why they have come to be considered an endangered species and how important it is to protect it and its habitat.

The Mediterranean monk seal Monachus-monachus is the rarest seal on Earth. With an estimated population of less than 600 in the world, it is one of the rarest and most endangered animal species on the planet and is characterized as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. About half of the population, around 250-300 seals, live in Greece. The fact that the largest population of these endangered seals lives and reproduces in Greece makes our responsibility for their conservation and protection against the dangers they face something that we take very seriously.

Don't Miss AZI's star Athos in the film "Les Cyclades"

There is an important reason to see the movie Les Cyclades — one of its leading stars is none other than our precious feline Athos, who was born and raised in our Center (and who now lives a happy life with our friends Eduard and Ute in Holland) !!!

Here is the trailer for the film: