Cats

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A Mother and Baby Arrives

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One recent morning Litsa, AZI's coordinator in Amorgos, received a call from a woman about a young cat and her kitten. The mother-cat is not more than a kitten herself at 7 months old and she did not know how to care for her kitten. She gave birth in a hen house where the ground was dirty and cold and where the kitten was at risk of being stepped on. The woman noticed this and tried to move the kitten and his mom to a warm nest many times, but the mother kept moving him back to the hen house. Also the mother cat left the baby alone for long periods of time during the day and he was not getting enough milk, so we brought the baby and his mother to the center. We will keep the mother and kitten together in a crate for a few days so that the kitten will have a chance to nurse and grow strong. Then, we will move them to the office to give her a rest and where Litsa will keep an eye on them. When they first arrived, the poor kitten was so hungry and cold he purred so loudly when he finally had his mother close by, giving him warmth and nourishment.

We named them Bonnie (the mother) and Clyde (the baby). Once the little one has been weaned and the mom has been spayed, they will be released back to the area from where they came.

UPDATE: July 3, 2014--Mom Bonnie and baby Clyde were released today. After being at the center for about a month, baby Clyde has grown up and learned how to eat by himself. Both were given treatments for fleas, ticks and worms, and Bonnie was vaccinated (Clyde is still too young). They were returned to their home area, which is a big garden outside the village, full of trees, and safe from cars or poison. We'll miss them but wish them well.

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Vaccination Program

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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!

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Loulou's Story

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Gorgeous Loulou was found a year ago (March 2013). She was suffering from respiratory disease and continuous diarrhea. Thankfully, after long-term treatment, she got better, and she now is the white beauty that you see in the bottom photo. She was also vaccinated and spayed and is currently living at AZI's center, waiting to be adopted to a forever home.

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Cat Success Story: Aris and Zoi

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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
Aris and Zoi, happy together
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Cat Success Story: Lacta and Yfaistos

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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.

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Cat Success Story: Peto

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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.

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Fall Sterilization Program

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The team of EDKE with the volunteer Mairi Tavernaraki and Litsa Passari

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

Cat Waiting Room

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Two Tiny Orange Tabbies

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Artemis
Artemis
Fidias
Fidias

A couple of new very young kittens have arrived at the center and are slowing gaining their health and strength.

Artemis, with the beautiful blue eyes, is a female kitten brought to the center as a 1-month old. A kind young man found her and wanted to keep her but his landlady had a different idea about that. He brought Artemis to our center and even offered to do some voluntary work there, which we welcome wholeheartedly.

Fidias and his brother Friksos came to our shelter as frail 1-week old kittens. For some reason their mother rejected and abandoned them. They were found by a man who was concerned for their welfare and brought them to the shelter. Unfortunately, Friksos did not survive despite our best attempts. However Fidias is doing well and growing up.

These lovely kittens will be available for adoption in a few months. Won't you consider giving one of them a new home?

R.I.P. Conan

Rest in Peace, Conan

Conan was brought to the shelter April 2012 by Lamia. At that time he had a large tumor over his right eye and tumors on his legs, yet he had still a huge appetite for life--he ate well and enjoyed playing with the other cats. So we treated his tumors as best as we could, removing the ones that bothered him and his life passed happily at the center. His big personality and courage despite his condition made him a favorite among us. Sadly, it became clear to us recently that he was losing the battle to cancer and it was time to make that difficult decision and offer him a dignified death. Conan died peacefully in Lamia's lap last week. His presence is sorely missed at the center but we are sure he is in a better world now, free of suffering and a big handsome cat again.

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Animals and Kids

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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.

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Ducks and cats

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Katapola, August 23rd, 2013: A tourist feeds a colony of ducks and cats who live together on the harbor.

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Kittens kittens kittens

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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.

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Chloe the kitten

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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.

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Schubert’s Story

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Schubert

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

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.