Little Sara has been adopted by a woman who comes to Amorgos from Athens every summer to work in a jewelry shop in Chora. She and Sara bonded right away and now they are never apart. We are so happy that they have become fast friends, and that Sara has found a loving new home.
Daisy in Holland
Daisy is a purebred pointer, about 6 years old, who was owned by a hunter. Because she hated the sound of the gun, she made a terrible hunting dog so he didn’t want her anymore. In April 2014 traveled to Holland to join her new adopted family. There are 4 other pointers in her new family, so Daisy fits right in. We are so happy that she now has a family to call her own!
Update on Bobby Marley
Bobby Marley and 14 other dogs were found badly neglected in Katapola, crowded in a dirty room. The Philozoiki was called by the local council to help. Bob Marley (now Bobley) was adopted in Belgium in November 2011 and enjoys his new life in the countryside with six dogs and two horses. Bobley’s owner wrote two books in which Bobley and local volunteer Lamia play an important role, and a third book is in the works.
Update on Kouros and Zoe
Kouros and Zoe were found abandoned in a parking lot in Katapola as young puppies. We took them in and found permanent homes for them in Holland. Now they are happily living with their new families!
Update on Yannis
Yannis was abandoned on Gramboussa, a tiny island with no sources of water or food. Yannis faced certain death had he not been saved by a kind fisherman who heard him crying on the beach. We named the dog Yannis in his honor. Once restored to health, Yannis traveled to Holland and was fostered until the ideal family was found for him. He is now living a happy, healthy life in the Netherlands and enjoys playing and spending time with another dog who also happens to be from Greece.
Update on our rescue goat, Annabell
Luna and Serius with 2 volunteers of EKPAZ.
It turns out that our little Annabel is indeed a boy (!), so he has been renamed Serius. He is happily settling into his new home in Aegina.
Serius is ready for his milk!
Here is Serius with his new friend Luna, each in his own chair.
New photos of Micky in Holland
Micky is doing great with his family in Holland. Here he is on a recent walk at the park. We are so happy for him!
Cat Success Story: Aris and Zoi
Aris, as kitten
Zoi, as kitten
Aris and Zoi were found on the streets in September 2012. Both were very sick. After being treated at the center, they went to a foster home in Athens. Two months later they were adopted together in Athens. In the third photo, you can see how much they love each other and their new home!
Aris and Zoi, happy together
Cat Success Story: Lacta and Yfaistos
Lacta (the brown tabby) was found in a garbage bin on Oct 4, 2012 and brought to the center. She had to be raised on a baby bottle and became bonded with Yfaistos (the black cat), who came to us December 2012 with a paralyzed front leg. They were adopted together a year ago in Jan 2013 and are happily living with their new mom in Athens.
Cat Success Story: Peto
Peto came to AZI in November 2012 as a kitten. He was brought to the center because he had a fishing line wrapped tightly around his leg causing him pain. The fishing line was removed by the vet and he was adopted January 2013. Below, you can see how comfortable and content he is now in his new home in Athens.
Cat Success Story: Tatumitsa
Tatumitsa when she arrived
Beautiful Tatumitsa now
Tatumitsa was found as a kitten in August 2011 with a badly damaged front leg and full of worms (first two photos). Her leg was amputated and soon after she was adopted in Holland. Now she is a happy, healthy, gorgeous gray cat, and we are so happy for her.
Cat Success Story: Dafni
Dafni as a kitten
Found in a garbage can, Dafni and came to the shelter late April 2012, and was raised up by bottle. She was eventually adopted in Athens. In the bottom photo you can see what a beauty she is now.
Dafni in her new home
Micky's New Home
Micky traveled safely to his new home. We are sad to say goodbye to our little friend but after seeing photos and hearing from his new mom we are thrilled about his new life. Another happy ending!
Micky is adopted!
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
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
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
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!