Katapola, August 23rd, 2013: A tourist feeds a colony of ducks and cats who live together on the harbor.
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
Kittens kittens kittens
These adorable kittens, including Chloe, were rescued this summer. Several were raised by the bottle. They will be available for adoption once they are over 2 months old. Are you able to give one of them a home? Visit the Adoption page to read more about our available cats and kittens.
Updates on Chloe and Mickey
Chloe the Kitten
Micky looking good
Here are some recent photos of our rescue kitten and dog, Chloe and Mickey. Both are doing great and are looking for loving homes.
Chloe the kitten
Chloe and her brother Cooper were rescued in May at 2 weeks old after their mother was poisoned and died. Sadly, Cooper did not survive but his little sister Chloe is stronger and we believe that she'll manage to pull through. Liza, our rescue dog, has taken on the role of the unofficial "nurse" of the shelter. She is seen here, offering comfort and warmth to Chloe.
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.
Special Cat Seeks Special Home
Afroditi is a beautiful 2-year-old cat, whose back legs are paralyzed due to an old fracture. She arrived at the shelter in December, and is very shy and fearful, spending most of her time in the closet. With her immobile back legs, she walks on her knees, which results in cuts on her legs if she goes outside. Luckily, if she stays indoors, she does just fine.
We are hoping to find an experienced cat handler to foster her, someone who is willing to give her tender loving care and help her come out of her shell. She is a special girl and we'd love to see her become more confident and relaxed.
If you are interested in helping Afroditi, please contact us at info@animal-zone.org.
A Big Thanks to the Volunteer Vets
Three vets from EDKE, Voluntary Action of Veterinarians Greece, came for a second time to Amorgos. During the weekend of March 2nd and 3rd, with their invaluable help, 45 cats and 2 dogs were spayed/neutered. All cats were given a thorough health exam and dewormed. The two dogs also received microchips and were vaccinated for rabies. Because of them and their efforts, the weekend was a great success. Thank you to Drs. Angeliki Degkleri, Themistoclis Michael, Attalidou Pigi as well as to Dr. Maria Despoti.
Meet Donald and Ntaizi
Donald and Ntaizi
Siblings
These two adorable black kittens are Donald and Ntaizi, who are brother and sister. As you can see, they have a very close relationship and love to be together. They were found on the road as kittens and arrived at the shelter mid-September 2012. Now, they are healthy 7-month-olds looking for a new home. They are a number of other cats are available for adoption.
January Cats
Manos
Scoombi
Manos was brought in on January 21st. He is approximately 6 months old and has white shadows under his eyes. He is being treated with Neomycin drops and dewormed. Initially he was being treated in the habitat where he was found but doing this proved too difficult and he has been brought to the clinic for treatment.
Scoombi was found on the road and brought in. He is blind and was dehydrated when he was found. He has been treated with the antibiotic Baytril and physiological serum. At present he is being kept at the clinic.
AZI and Philozoike Volunteers Curb Hunger
With Juliette, you never know what's on the menu, but it always yummy, and, what counts most, on time. Here you can see her feeding us at lunch time in the Katapola Playground and under the bridge of a stream that dries up in the Summer: A perfect spot fort a well balanced meal al fresco! Some friends who live near the limani -- the pier where the big boats from Piraeus blow their horn, even in the middle of the night -- have told me that they too have an angel who brings them food. That's good: it means Juliette's example is being followed.
Belly Ache in Katapola
Well this is what happened: this young fellow from one of the car rental places in Katapola, the one at the edge of the village, as you face the open sea, saw me wandering about without anything to eat and took me to his office. Then he went out and bought some can food. I thought I was in heaven. I had not seen so much food in months, actually weeks (I am a very young cat) and ate it all up if there was no tomorrow. After a while, though, I began to feel the effect of my binge.
I won't tell you the kind of pain and the scare it gave. I think it's worse than a tooth ache, though I haven't had any so far, and I should not be making comparisons. Clearly it was the wrong kind of food, except that my savior had no clue. He thought cat food was cat food and that was it. It goes to show that educational programs (and the right kind of food) are urgently needed. But I was lucky, in the end. The Vet came by and gave me a shot that put an end to my misery.
And I heard that AZI is raising funds to buy the kind of food it takes to feed me and the other kittens who might run the risk of being done in by the very people who intend to save us.
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.
From Our President
It has been a transformative year in Amorgos. Oursponsorship of a local veterinarian has changed the life of many animals and of many people who depend on them. This generated much support and interest on the part of the community. New attention has been given to the animal health and well-being. We sponsored Dr. Despoti’s internship in one of the most prestigious no-kill animal shelters in the the US, PAWS Chicago. Since her return in March, Dr. Despotihastreated various animals in need and sterilized and released over 30 stray cats. It seems a small step but it makes a huge difference. And through these little steps we are transforming a way of being.
We thank all of you for your help and we count on your contributions to continue. Without your help we would not be able to make all of these small steps come together to transform the fate of so many neglected animals on the island.
Recently we were contacted by a tourist in Amorgos who noticed that cats were being fed in a dangerous road-side position. We greatly appreciate being informed of any maltreatment of animals witnessed on the island. We count on your continuous support. A small action can make a huge difference in the life of many animals and the environment in which they live.
Manolis
Fall 2010 - One of the founding fathers of Philozoic Merimna Association of Amorgos (PMAA), Manolis has been feeding approximately 50 cats every day for a number of years. Some across the street from his house, some at Nonda's orchards about 2 miles away and some behind the Saint Georgios Balsamitis Hotel in Xilokeratidi. When Manolis goes home from work many cats show up from no where to greet him.
Nera
August-December 2010 - A sea captain who leaves in Naxos keeps dozens of sick and malnourished cats in the garden of his house in Nera, Amorgos. They are affected by the worst kind of infections. On August 21, 2010 we visited the premises with Dr. Vassalakis and started treating them for parasites. In November Dr. Despoti continued the program vaccinating and sterilizing them. Unfortunately one very sick kitten could not be saved.
Eye Infections
Gris
Fall 2010 - Widespread throughout the island, eye infections have caused the loss of one, sometimes both eyes in many cats. The problem could be partially solved by treating new born kittens and vaccinating them as soon as possible. Unfortunately there are far to many cats in the island, often leaving in locations that are hard to be reached. Furthermore, many people don't know how to handle these cases. We are studying ways to prevent the sperading of infectious deaseases and their transmission from parents to offspring. Also, we are educating cat owners about it.
Bios and His Mother
Bios when he first arrived
Bios and his mother
August-September 2010 - During the month of August Bios' mother brought him to the garden of Animal Society co-founder Manolis and left him there. Bios needed immediate attention: swollen belly, infected eyes, parasites, etc. His mother comes back daily to check on him and play with him. One eye was saved and his general welfare is improved immensely.
Johnny Depp
September 2010 - This is the story of Johnny Depp. In 2009 when he was a few days old, Johnny Depp was found in a garbage bin by Vangelizza, one of the founder of Philozoic Merimna Association of Amorgos (PMAA) and a driving force behind the movement and its organization. Named after Vangelizza greatest love, he responded with great enthusiasm to the requirements of his role. He is now a happy member of the Azi family.
Bianca's Daughter
Bianca's Daughter enjoying the garden.
August 2010 - Sophocles reputation is well known among cats as well. Bianca's mother brought her daughter to Sophocles's garden about a year ago and left her there to be properly cared for. She is now part of the AZI program.