Rescue Stories

Marcos

During a recent visit to Amorgos by GAWF's Animal Action’s team, we were told of an old mule living in Vroutsi, who, because of his age and his ill health and injuries, was no longer useful to his owner. We decided to take Marcos to our shelter in Katapola where he could be examined by Animal Action’s veterinarian, a doctor who specializes in equines, and it was found that the mule had many physical problems which included a hip fracture as well as malnourishment. But after dedicated care by our team and a good diet, Marcos is no longer in pain and he has begun to put on weight.

Until recently we have kept Marcos in a fenced in area so that he could rest and recover his strength but now he has joined the rest of our equines. This is another one of the small miracles of Animal Zone International since, Paola, the matriarch of our equine herd and a mare who does not easily accept new members, seems to have understood that Marcos is very weak and unable to kick and she grows ever more gentle with the old mule.

We, at AZI, are happy to say that we expect Marcos to live out his old age in a state of peace and well being.

A Kitten’s Struggle to Survive

This sweet baby was only two weeks old when she was discovered in a trash bin by an animal-loving family who knows the work we do. They brought the kitten to us in such dire condition that we were not certain we could save her. Her small body was so malnourished that she was too weak to take milk from a bottle, which meant that we would need to feed her by hand, drop by drop, until she began to gain strength. Now, her appetite has returned, and this small fighter is gaining strength day by day. When she is strong enough to eat on her own she will be adopted by the family that first found her for they have grown to love her as they watch her struggle for life.

Rescue of a Common Buzzard

In February, a common buzzard was rescued from a hencoop in Ormos on Aegiali. The bird remained with us for ten days, at which point it was examined by Dr. Vassalakis and was discovered to have a wing fracture that had not been obvious at the beginning of its stay. We decided to send the bird to the Rescue Center for Wild Birds, “Alkioni,” in Paros, and by March it had come back to Amorgos healthy and strong and ready to return to its natural habitat.
During its stay at “Alkioni,” our own bird was examined and treated along with a second common buzzard that had been rescued and sent to Paros. Both birds were treated successfully and were released back into the area of Aegliali.


We want to thank the local volunteer, Jennie Arvaniti, who rescued and sent our bird to us. We also want to thank another volunteer and member of the local animal welfare society, “Panagiotis Pshogios,” who helped to care for the bird while at the same time sharing with us his extensive knowledge of wild birds. As well, we would like to thank the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, “Alkioni”——who took care of the two birds as well as for their excellent cooperation during these many years. Finally, we would like to thank Dimitris Synodinos (Amorgos Diving Center) who was the rescuer of the second bird and was able to release both of them back into nature.


For more informations about Common Buzzards here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_buzzard

Little Nano

Little Nano was found on 16 of September. Litsa, our coordinator, heard a kitten crying while walking her dog. But because the kitten was located inside a garden, she left it and returned to next day to check on it. The kitten was still crying so she found the owner of the property and received permission to search the area. Little Nano was found under a plant crying nonstop, no mother around. She appeared to be only a couple weeks old. Back at the AZI center, little Nano received care and nourishment from a baby bottle at first and is she is starting to eat by herself. She is a happy and sweet kitten and she will be available for adoption in 1 month.

Welcoming Anna and Maria

Anna

Anna

Maria

Maria

We are pleased to welcome two retired donkeys to our shelter. Both come from Chora and are too old for work. Anna arrived Aug 5th and came from a poor farming family. She carried many loads up the mountains in her lifetime and deserves a happy life in retirement. Maria arrived on August 27th and is still adjusting to her new life at our stable. She worked hard has a young donkey but more recently was not working so she has a bit more energy for her age. We hope she will make friends with the others at the stable and enjoy her retirement.

Two Kittens Arrive from Koufonisi

Last week two 3-week old kittens arrived from the nearby island of Koufonisi. We gave them the names Mick and Esthel--both are girls. They were discovered by one of our most active volunteers, who was spending a few days in Koufonisi. The two kittens were crying nonstop but their mother was no where in sight. After waiting to see if their mother would return (there was no sign of her), the kittens were put on a boat to Amorgos where Litsa, our tireless coordinator, fed them milk by hand.

We suspect that something must have happened to the mother, and so the kittens were left all alone. We are looking for good homes for these two new additions and hope to find some when they are old enough to travel. To help care for these kittens and all the others like them, please consider making a donation to Animal Zone International. Thank you!

An Owl Rescue

When Litsa, our coordinator on Amorgos, heard about a little owl (Athene noctua) with a broken wing outside the gym in Xylokeratidi, she immediately went to get her. But, due to strong winds, ferry service was suspended so the owl had to stay with Litsa for three days.

When the winds subsided and the boat finally came, the injured owl was sent to the Alkioni Wild Bird Rescue Center in Paros where she will receive medical care, including surgery. We hope that she will be able to fly again, though we're told chances are 50-50. We will find out how she does in three weeks, and we hope for the best!  

News from Our New Temporary Cat Shelter in Chora

After being rescued and saved, the cats of AZI need a safe place to stay prior to being adopted. The Monks of the Monastery kindly offered to lend AZI a piece of their land in Chora as a temporary shelter. A sturdy fence and a indoor space were built especially for the cats. It's a beautiful new home...yet please remember, many of these cats are available for adoption and they would love even more to move from a temporary home to a permanent one. Won't you consider adopting one?

Lia and Nia

Our newest arrivals are tiny kittens named Nia and Lia. They were rescued by our former assistant Giota in Aegiali. They are about 3 weeks old, they have incredible appetite for food, and they play a lot. They have just started to eat by themselves but they still need the baby bottle for supplemental nutrition and special care. They are absolutely adorable! When they reach the appropriate age, they will be put up for adoption. Contact us if you are interested!

Angie, a kitten with a hernia

This little kitten was recently diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. She is too young for the surgery, but when she is older it will be completed and she will be available for adoption after that. Angie is an active and playful kitten who has no idea that she has a problem. Please help us help Angie by making a donation today. Another way to help is to sponsor her (or another animal) with monthly payments to support her food and medicine. Thank you.

A Kitten's story

Lilian (microchip #941000016719370) was found on the side of the road in Langada-Aegiali, skinny and sick, and with no appetite. We immediately started her on a treatment and in two days she began to eat with gusto. Now she is a healthy kitten full of energy, cute as can be. She is available for adoption; who can resist those adorable eyes? We estimate her age to be about three months old.