Fwtis is a 12-year-old Dalmatian who belongs to a pharmacist but is now living out his life at the center. Due to his advanced age he is deaf and has problems with his hind legs which makes walking difficult for him. He is a very sweet and calm old guy who enjoys his quiet new life with Litsa and the animals of the center.
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.
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.
Meet Micky, Another Rescue
Micky before
Micky after a haircut
Micky is a 6-year-old Maltese mix that came to our shelter about three days ago. His owner passed away during the winter and no one else wanted him so Micky roamed freely in Chora and lived in poor conditions. He was difficult to approach and acted very fearfully. When we got him, he was full of fleas and ticks and his hair was very tangled. Although he allowed Litsa to give him a bath, she reports he needs delicate handling and calm movements. He was taken to the vet to have a complete medical examination, and he was given a clean bill of health. We are searching for a good home for him (probably one without children would work best). Until then he will be staying with Liza at the shelter. May 27, 2013: Micky received his first vaccines and is becoming more sociable and less fearful. He's still looking for a new home. Please email info@animal-zone.org if you are interested in adopting him.
Liza's story, continued
Liza at the shelter
A complaint was filed on April 1, 2013 by the Filozoiki Merimna of Amorgos against Liza’s owner for abandonment, abuse and exposing the dog to danger. On April 17, 2013, the public prosecutor of Naxos announced a decision to initiate criminal proceedings against the owner and thereby allowing us to keep Liza in our shelter until a final decision is rendered. We hope that the verdict will remove from the owner legally and allow us to find a permanent and loving home for her.
In the meantime, Liza has been enjoying life with the cats in the shelter, and is proving to be a sweet and caring dog. We just love her and know she deserves the best!
A Rescue
Liza when we found her
Cleaning up Liza
Liza healthy and happy
On March 21, a call came in about an abandoned dog on the side of the road in Chora. Two volunteers went in search of the dog and discovered a dog in a clipboard cage (see photo). The cage was so small the dog could not raise her head and forced her to sit her own feces. We called the police immediately. According to Greek law, all dogs found on the road are considered stray and animal welfare associations are able to claim it. However, the policeman who arrived told us not to take the dog and wanted us to wait for the owner. We told him we'd wait 10 minutes and after that the owner could claim it from us with the proper paperwork.
The owner did not arrive, so we took the dog to our shelter. The dog was given an exam by the vet, and was diagnosed with poor nutritional status, dehydration, and having an intense parasitic load—ticks were all over her body. She was later found to have ehrlichia (no surprise as it is transmitted by ticks), and is currently under treatment.
We have given her the name Liza and she is doing well at the shelter. She is a very happy and sweet dog and we hope that when the time comes we'll be able to find a loving home for her.
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.
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.
A Major Rescue Operation
The nine puppies that constitute the Fluffy Family (as they have become known to those who visited them at the improvised kennel at the Municipal Camping site in Amorgos) can now add a third F, that of "Fortunate," to their denomination, thanks to the indefatigable work of Lamia, Elephteria and Juliette who rescued them from the most unusual, and hard to believe, circumstances. They were all born and forced to live in a minuscule apartment in Katapola, together with their mothers, and father, and brothers (fifteen dogs altogether) plus their masters, of course, and their child.
Despite the most unhealthy conditions for both humans and animals, it was not easy to convince their lawfully inconsiderate owners to let them go. No rational explanation will ever suffice to explain the mad attachment and the irresponsible carelessness of the family that caused their own dogs so much pain and discomfort. As we all see, education is urgently needed and AZI is sustaining an education program throughout the island.
Once the puppies were liberated, however, their stories have taken a radical turn for the better: Spiro went to Poland; Asproula went to Thessaloniki; Theresa (almost blind), Pepito, Iggy Pop and Parizaki went to Holland thanks to Juliette. Bobby Marley and Leo have been “reserved” buy Dutch families while Jimmy Cliff will be fostered by Juliette herself until a proper accommodation can be secured.
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.
Piperina
My name is Piperina, not Pepperina or Paperina. The Philozoike people hardly knew how to spell my name, when they asked me to join Paola, the mare, who did not particularly welcome my arrival. Now we are getting along well. She gets most of the apples and carrots, however.
The problem is I am rather old and do not move as fast as she does. Furthermore I do not see very well… I mean I hardly see at all. But do not tell Paola, please. Also, I tell you, these new friends may leave something to be desired when it comes to naming donkeys, but they take very good care of me. Actually Azi has made it possible for me to be treated with a new medicine and it maybe, it just may be, that I get back some of the sight I lost. Here you can see Doctor Despoti putting some green stuff into my eyes. She is assisted by Vangelitza, one of the earliest most devoted member of Philozoike. Too bad you don’t see much of her in these pictures. When I start seeing again I’ll teach them how to frame a photograph.
Saving a Hawk on Amorgos
A beautiful hawk with a broken wing was found by an elderly couple in their garden. They called Dr. Despoti, who was driving around the island with Paola looking for colonies of stray cats. In less than an hour, the hawk was found, treated, and prepared for a journey to Paros, five hours away. Will it survive the journey? Will it be fit to be treated at the Wild Bird Sanctuary? Good news arrives that evening. The hawk survived the overnight crossing. Two days later the news is even better: the hawk can be cured, its wing will heal. After a period of recovery in Paros, it will be returned to Amorgos where it will be released into the wild.
Paola the Mare, Our Latest Addition
Paola the Mare
Sept 2010 — Responding to a call for help from members of the new animal association (PMAA), this summer AZI became aware of the tragic existence of a mare, donkey and mule, owned by a shepherd but not cared for by him. They lived without shelter, not enough food, insufficient water, and with their legs tied tightly together (see photo). It upset a tourist from Athens so much that he notified the police and pressed charges, but without any consequence.
Mule with legs tied
That justice is being sought is significant; however, these animals require immediate attention, especially the mare. We have learned that the donkey and mule were bought by a local shepherd and unfortunately, we are unable to locate them at this time. As for the mare, with the help of the Mayor, the owner was persuaded to sell the mare to the newly formed animal association.
AZI has pledged the money for her purchase and upkeep, and she will be kept on land offered by the Mayor. AZI is financing the construction of a fence and shelter for her. We hope to save and purchase other horses, mules and donkeys (which, incidentally, are now an endangered species on the island, due to mistreatment). Most of these animals are abandoned, castaway as unfit for work, in the middle of nowhere, with no food, no water, and with their legs tied together to restrict their movement.
Paola the Mare - Update
Paola the Mare and her new fence
Dec 2010 — A fence has been constructed for Paola and she is being cared for by our vet, Dr. Despoti. However, there are still a couple of missing items before she can be safe and sound in her new home. First, as the winter is soon approaching, we are urgently planning and preparing to build a shelter/stable for her in the fenced-in area. The stable will hold up to 4 animals and will have storage space for hay. Second, in order to get hay for Paola, it must be ordered and shipped from Athens, a costly expense. We are working furiously to raise funds to cover these very important needs.
Abandoned Puppies
Kouros
Zo
Oct 2010 — In September, three tiny puppies were found, abandoned in a parking lot in Katapola. Members of PMAA, the new animal society, took them in and are caring for them. Our new vet Dr. Despoti has given them a check-up and will be vaccinating them as soon as they are ready for them. We would like to find homes for them as soon as possible. In fact, one already has been adopted to someone on Amorgos. The other two (pictured below) will be listed for adoption with our friends in Holland. If all goes well, we hope we will soon be filling out passport applications for the pups to travel to their permanent homes!
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.
Pocopico, Greek for "Cheetah" (Tarzan's monkey)
Pocopico wasfound outside Chora's town hall. He was brought to Sophocles Prekas, one of the founding members of the local animal association, whose reputation for caring is known throughtout the island. Now cleaned, vaccinated and properly nourished, Pocopico is now beginning to enjoy his life and the company of his friends.
Another Throwaway Kitten Rescued by AZI
August 2009 - At the end of August the man who collects garbage found another newborn kitten in a can in Kato Meria and called AZI’s volunteer for help. This one was 1 week old, with eyes still closed and hopefully will make it just fine like the other three ones.