Helping kittens on WORLD ANIMAL DAY
On the occasion of this day, we paid a visit to Kalotaritissa where we had learned of kittens who were in a seriously dangerous condition.
Cats of the Monastery of Chozoviotisa in Chora
The Vaccination Program
Our vaccination program took place earlier this month, over the weekend of July 9th and 10th. It was completed successfully in spite of challenging conditions. The cats tend to hide away in the summer heat and we were only able to find them early in the mornings and late in the afternoons, but even with these difficulties over one hundred and seventy stray cats from the area of Aegiali have now been vaccinated for panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis and chlamydia as well as having been given pills for worming.
Many of the residents of the island have told us that there are still a large number of cats that hid so successfully we could not find them and it is our belief that from now on we should try to conduct our programs before the summer weather grows too intense.
We are happy to say that many of our island cats are now protected from the danger of viruses and we hope to inoculate the rest of their tribe when the weather cools down.
While we were out on the streets and in restaurants and hotels, many people seemed interested in learning about our work here in Amorgos and the island’s residents as well as the tourists who come to this beautiful island have therefore become much more concerned about the health and safety of the island animals.
Voula and Voulitsa
Little Voulitsa was living with her mother, Voula, and her three siblings, in an area where there had been serious outbreaks of disease and infection.
Only Voulitsa and her mother were found alive when we reached them and, as you can see in the photographs that we have included below, they were both very close to death. After an intense period of care and treatment in our facility both the mother and daughter have not only survived but have each recovered their health and strength.
Voula has now been released back into her home area after having been spayed but we felt that we could not allow Voulitsa to return with her mother since the area is extremely dangerous for young kittens. Chickens and ducks and cats are all kept together in a small yard by a woman who has consistently refused our help with sterilizations and medications, which means that Voulitsa has remained with us at our center.
Voulitsa has put on weight and has now become an active and very playful kitten but we must continue treatment in the hope of saving one of her eyes. Soon she will need a foster home while waiting for the family that we hope will come to adopt this small girl and give her a safe and loving home—the miracle that we want for all of these animals who are brought to us in their great need.
Angel
One early morning in June of this year, a woman who works in a café in the central square of Katapola called our center to tell us that the café cat, who only the night before had been healthy and full of life, was now desperately ill.
Litsa, our coordinator, went to the café at once and saw that the cat was not only covered with a caustic liquid of some kind but that in trying to clean himself he had swallowed much of the toxins and his life was clearly in danger.
At the center we began to clean him and, when the room filled with the smell of lime, we realized that he must have somehow have fallen into a vat of that very corrosive liquid.
We immediately treated him with a course of antibiotics, cortisone, painkillers and creams but he was unable to eat and had developed a high fever. The wounds were severe and we had little hope for his survival but day by day he began to improve and so we gave him the name of Angel.
It took a month of treatment but Angel has now returned to being the handsome boy that he was before the accident. A few of the wounds remain but new hair has begun to grow and his appetite has returned.
Once Angel’s wounds have healed completely and his fur has grown thick, he will be driven to the central square of Katapola where the sweet lady who has fed him since he was a kitten is waiting for his return.
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.
Christos Adopted
In October little Christos was adopted by a family in Holland, who had previously rescued a stray dog from Athens. They are clearly enjoying each other's company!
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.
Fluffy, another blind kitten
Fluffy is another blind kitten who arrived in August from Aegiali. Sadly, she lost both eyes from a bad infection. A man found her in the trash can and called AZI. At our center she is receiving care in the form of antibiotics and eye drops. She eats very well and has started to play. We think the chances are good for her to become a healthy, strong cat.
Poor Little Heracles
Four Kittens Rescued
Beautiful Caline in Paris
Adopt Broem
Rescued Kitten
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!
2-Day Vaccination Program for Stray Cats
Our two-day vaccination program took place on June 8 and 9th on Amorgos. This is a crucial part of our mission to keep the feral cat population healthy and clear of disease. To AZI Friends and Supporters: please consider making a donation to help us fund this program. To Litsa, our coordinator, and the amazing volunteer vets—a big warm-hearted thank you!
Another Newborn Kitten Arrives
Update on Kittens
We made a mistake! One of the girls turns out to be a boy, so we now call him Victor. All three kittens are getting big and are demanding lots of attention!
