Events
Animal Zone
Animal Kingdom Candids: A Photography Exhibit ...

Join us in New York City on October 30, 2025, for Animal Kingdom Candids, a unique photography exhibition and silent auction benefiting Animal Zone International. Discover extraordinary works from world-renowned photographers and support animal welfare on the island of Amorgos.

Animal Kingdom Candids: A Photography Exhibit and Silent Auction to Benefit Animal Zone International
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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

Please Join us for our Second Annual Fall Benefit

When Odysseus returns home after twenty years, his beloved dog Argos recognizes him at once. Ancient Greek literature is full of such examples of the strong bond between humans and animals. Sadly this bond in today’s Greece has deteriorated to the point where animals are treated cruelly. Animal Zone International seeks to restore the respect for animals as part of the foundation of the Greek humanist tradition.

Please join us for an evening at Central Park’s famous Boathouse benefiting wild and domestic animals of the island of Amorgos, Greece

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 6:00 pm

Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction

The Loeb Boathouse ~ Central Park, New York City

For more information, please contact Astic Productions at 212-581-1400 or email jamie@asticproductions.com.

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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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World Animal Day

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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.

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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.

The Blessing of AZI's Facility & Recovery Center in Amorgos

The Philozoike of Amorgos and Animal Zone International celebrated the inauguration of their facilities on August 21, 2013 at 8:00pm. The Center, located in Pera Rahidi of Katapola, Amorgos, was blessed by the Venerable Father Paraskevas Despotidis. Remarks were made by Angeliki Palioura, President of Merinma Philozoike of Amorgos, and Paola Mieli, President of Animal Zone International.

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Enjoying the Island

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Alexis and Josephina

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

Dinner in honor of the Fasseas by Pholozoike of Amorgos

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Paula Fasseas visits AZI

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Fasseas and Angeliki

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

Meeting the Mayor of Amorgos

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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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GAWF Delivers Care to Equines on Amorgos

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On June 19 & 20, 2013, GAWF (Greek Animal Welfare Fund) made their annual visit to Amorgos. Veterinarian & farrier team Eliza Geskou and Giannis Brastianos treated 32 donkeys, 4 horses and 12 mules. This year many new equines were treated on the island in addition to the animals sheltered at AZI's stable. In general the body conditions of the animals were found to be good. Most needed routine dentistry and farriery care. A few cases of fly-bitten legs were seen and treated and insect-repellent medicine was given to all equines.

It was a successful visit. They could follow up on cases from previous visits in 2012 and 2011, and also treated many new equines in new parts of the island. We were very pleased with the turnout. Thank you, GAWF!

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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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Meet Micky, Another Rescue

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Micky before

Micky before

Micky after a haircut

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.

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Liza's story, continued

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Liza at the shelter

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!

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A Rescue

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Liza when we found her

Liza when we found her

Cleaning up Liza

Cleaning up Liza

Liza healthy and happy

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.