SAVE THE DATE!
We are planning an extra-exciting fundraising dinner on June 21, 2015: Leonardo's Dinner. Put it in your calendars! Hope to see you there. Click here to read more about it.
Sterilization Program
In February, during the week of Feb 9th, AZI conducted another one of our spay/neutering programs on Amorgos. We were hoping to do about a hundred cats but the weather worked against us, with four of the six days being very stormy, full of strong winds, rain and hail.
Catching cats in the rain is a huge challenge as you can imagine, yet we managed to catch and sterilize 68 cats (36 females and 32 males), with only 25 cats coming from Aegiali. That is a success considering the difficult conditions. We'd like to acknowledge Dr. Alice Degleri and Litsa Passari for their the hard work & dedication to the program. Thank you!
Dr. Vassalakis visits Amorgos
A Successful Weekend
2-day Spay/Neuter Program
We are currently organizing for a 2 day free spay/neuter program for stray cats. It will be held the weekend of November 8-9 at the rural veterinary clinic οf Chora. Volunteers are needed. If you are available, please contact info@animal-zone.org.
Visiting Schools, Part 2
Litsa Passari, AZI's Local Coordinator, and the president of Filozoiki Angeliki Palioura continue to visit classes in different schools to teach about human treatment of animals and animal rights as a part of World Animal Day.
The children eagerly participated in a discussion about personal experiences and had many questions for the speakers. We are encouraged as they seemed more involved than last year which shows how important this annual visit is. As a part of the day, children also painted their favorite animal (to participate in an AZI-sponsored contest) and also played musical chairs (with a twist).
New temporary shelter
We have built a temporary cat shelter on land that has been lent to AZI by Monks of the famed Monastery of Hozoviotissa. A strong, tall fence has been put up and we plan to move cats, dogs and saved goats there until a permanent place is available.
Even as a temporary shelter, it is very beautifully constructed and we believe our cats will love it here. The first residents—6 cats—arrived this week, and as you can see they are happy to run and play in the trees, sunbathe and enjoy themselves.
GAWF Returns
The Greek Animal Welfare Fund/Animal Action Greece equine team will return to Amorgos on June 9 & 10, 2014. The team, invited and partly sponsored by AZI, consists of a veterinarian and a farrier who will offer their services for working animals (the donkeys, horses, mules) of the residents for free.
On June 9th, they will be in Kat Meria and Katapola. On June 10th, they will be working in Aegiali and Chora. Last year they treated 48 animals in total. We hope this year will be as great a success!
GAWF poster for June 2014
Filozoiki Merimna Amorgou's Easter Bazaar
Every year Filozoiki Merimna Amorgou organizes an Easter bazaar to raise money for the animals. The bazaar ran from April 15-17, 2014, in the central square of Katapola. For sale were many beautiful candles, decorative Easter baskets, liqueur, tasty biscuits, sweets, jams and juices--all handmade.
Visitors were also able to learn about the actions of the Filozoiki and how much work is being done to help the animals of Amorgos. It's wonderful when people support the efforts of the organization and buy their candles from the Filozoiki!
Vaccination Program
At the end of March, we began a vaccination program with veterinarian Dr. Despoti. First, the cats at the center were vaccinated. Next, we focused on the cats in the various colonies in Xylokeratidi, Katapola, Ag. Georgios Valsamitis and if we still have vaccines left we'll continue with Ag. Barbara and Aegiali. Each cat was also given a medical exam. Our goal is to vaccinate 150 cats--wish us luck!
A Working Weekend, March 2014
With the help of four volunteer vets, Dr. Maria Despoti, and a final year veterinary student, we completed a two-day program of sterilization and vaccinations with great success. 88 cats (46 females and 42 males) and 1 dog were spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies, and examined and treated for fleas and ticks. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who were a part of this huge effort!
Fall Sterilization Program
The team of EDKE with the volunteer Mairi Tavernaraki and Litsa Passari
With the help of three veterinarians of EDKE and Dr. Maria Despoti, 109 cats and 2 dogs were sterilized on Amorgos over the weekend of November 9-10, 2013. We have to thank our volunteers who worked for two days without a break for the success of the program. They are:
From Aegiali: Giwrgos Kantarakias, Lily Clevede, Mairi Tavernaraki and Jack Mestre From Chora: Νikoleta Kolyda, Anna Kolyda, Marina Pistevou, Giwrgos Anzoulakos and Spyros from Cafe Giasemi From Ag. Georgios Valsamitis: Εvangelia Mavrou and from Katapola: Angeliki Palioura, Litsa Passari, Lamia Enan, Hariklia Psaki, Eleytheria Psaki, Rania Thiraiou, Giannis Vassalos and Gewrgia Symidala and the policeman Konstantinos Kypriotakis from Chora who brought 2 cats
Mairi Tavernaraki (volunteer from Aegiali), Litsa Passari, Angeliki Palioura (president of Filozoiki) and Rania Thiraiou (volunteer from Katapola)
Cat Waiting Room
Animals and Kids
Below, left: Stefanos, the son of the president of Filozoiki Merimna Amorgou Mrs Angeliki Palioura, has become best friends with the donkey Lambro. Stefanos takes Lambro out for walks very often, and Lambro stays very calm with him. Below, right: Maria comes almost every day to visit the center with her babysitter. You can see how much she enjoys the company of the animals. She and Liza, the rescue dog, are good friends. She also gives big smiles to the kittens.
World Animal Day
On October 4th, World Animal Day, Animal Zone International and Filozwiki Merimna Amorgou visited several primary schools and kindergarten classes in Amorgos. The teachers and students welcomed us with great joy and they happily participated in our program. Children were taught about the rights of animals, heard a fairytale that spoke about love for people and animals, and learned the proper way to approach a dog. Copies of the children's books that AZI published were also distributed.
More Photos from Amorgos
Luigi Ballerini, Deputy Mayor Stamatis Simos and Peter Fasseas
Paula Fasseas feeding Daisy, an AZI rescue dog
Donald, an AZI rescue cat, sleeping at our facility
Rita, member of the Philozoike, with her rescued dog Cicla in Muros, Amorgos
Litza feeding an abandoned kitten at our facility in Pera Raxidi
Enjoying the Island
Alexis and Josephina
The visit with the Fasseas family is going well and has been especially lucky for Josephina, one of the many stray dogs of Greece—she's been adopted by Alexis! As you can see, they have already become good friends. A dinner was given in honor of the Fasseas family, hosted by the Philozoike of Amorgos. Here are, from left: Peter Fasseas, Alexis Fasseas, Paola Mieli, Paula Fasseas. From the right are: Panaghiotis Coveos; Nicolaos Fostieris, the former Mayor of Amorgos; and Angelike Palioura, the president of the Philozoike.
Dinner in honor of the Fasseas by Pholozoike of Amorgos
Paula Fasseas visits AZI
Fasseas and Angeliki
AZI is pleased to welcome Paula and Peter Fasseas and their daughter Alexis to Amorgos. Paula Fasseas is the president and founder of Chicago Paws. They are here to tour our shelter and consult on our animal rescue project. Below are some first photos of their visit--more to come! (top) Paula Fasseas with Philozoike president Angeliki Palioura
(bottom) Meeting with the Mayor. From left: Mayor Nikita Roussos, Paola Mieli, Paula Fasseas, Litsa Passari (AZI's Coordinator in Amorgos), and Dr. Angeliki Degleri (AZI's vet in Athens).
Meeting the Mayor of Amorgos
Clean Monday
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.
Our Newly Renovated Examination Room
Exam room before
Exam room after
Here are BEFORE and AFTER photos of the examination room. Plumbing and electric were updated and new tiles and cabinets were installed. It's a big improvement to the space!
Celebrating the New Year with the Philozoiki
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!