,

New photos of Micky in Holland

,

Micky is doing great with his family in Holland. Here he is on a recent walk at the park. We are so happy for him!

,

Baby Goat Rescue

,

We have two new baby goats in our care: Thodora and Melenia. *** Thodora was first spotted on the mountain by Angeliki, the president of the Filozoiki. Although Thodora was alone, Angeliki thought that her mother was nearby. But the baby goat had an injured leg, and that was a concern, so Litsa, our coordinator, went to look for her but couldn't find her.

She did, however, find the owner of the baby goat. He told Litsa that he noticed the injured leg for few days. Litsa offered to have the goat treated at the center, and when she was better, the baby goat would be returned to its flock. He agreed and later brought the baby goat over.

We consulted with our vet who gave instructions for her treatment. Day by day her leg is showing improvement and she has started to take small steps with it. In the beginning she was a fearful, wild animal, who was hiding all the time. Now when she hears Litsa's voice, she starts to reply and she comes directly. Litsa tells us she is a very funny little goat!

*** On Sunday, February 23rd, we received a call from a girl in Chora who had seen a baby blind goat in the middle of the main road from Chora to Aegiali.

She had informed all the shepherds who have flocks in the area but after three days and the goat was still there, she turned to Litsa for help. The goat was at a great risk of being hit by a passing car. Immediately Angeliki and Litsa went to rescue the baby goat, who was given the name Melenia.

She was brought to Litsa's garden where she joins Thodora. Our vet was consulted about how to treat Melenia's eyes. We suspect that she was not born blind because she is a fat, healthy baby. It is more likely that due to a sickness she recently lost her vision.

We hope that she will be able to see again one day. Right now, she is still afraid but as she grows comfortable in her new, safe home, we're certain that will change, just as it had with Thodora.

,

Cat Success Story: Aris and Zoi

,
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
,

Cat Success Story: Lacta and Yfaistos

,

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.

,

Cat Success Story: Peto

,

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.

,

Micky is adopted!

,
Micky looking good

Micky

Micky is a 6-year-old Maltese mix that came to our shelter in May. His owner had passed away during the winter and no one else wanted him so Micky roamed around in Chora living under poor conditions. When he arrived, he was full of fleas and ticks and his hair was very tangled. He was difficult to approach and was very fearful. However, after a few weeks, he has become much more friendly and social.

Micky has found a permanent home in Holland. He will be transported from Amorgos to the Athens airport on Dec 10, 2013. Friends will fly with him to Holland. Micky's new family is a nice young couple who had a dog that died at the age of 16 some years ago. Now they are ready for another dog and they are looking forward to Micky's arrival. Bon voyage Micky! We wish you all the best!

,

A Victory for Liza

,
Liza when found

Liza when found

On March 21, 2013, members of the association Filozoiki Merimna Amorgou were informed that a dog trapped in yellow plastic cage had been abandoned on the side of the road near Chora, the seat of the Amorgos’ Municipal Government. The cage, was so small (30 cm high) that the dog could not stand upright and was forced to lie in its own feces.

Despite the objections of a police officer who claimed the dog was to remain where it had been found and actually returned to its owner (when found), the FMA volunteers rescued the dog. Later, when the dog's owner was located, he claimed that he had left the dog next to the car of a friend, while he went on an errand, and that the reason the dog was in the cage was to protect it from other animals. His claims and threats, as well as those of the policemen were ignored and the dog was brought it to the AZI Center in Pera Raxidi.

P3220118_sm-300x224.jpg
P3220121_sm-300x225.jpg

Removed from the cage the dog, a female, was entrusted to the care of a veterinarian. Her conditions were indeed deplorable. The dog was found to have low hematocrit (signs of anemia), poor nutritional status, dehydration, intense ectoparasite load with innumerable ticks throughout her body, mild leukocytosis (evidence of inflammation), and she tested positive for ehrlichiosis. She did not have a microchip and had not been vaccinated.

At the center, the dog, who was given the name of Liza, was treated with competence and care. She was vaccinated and micro-chipped and is now a healthy, friendly, and grateful animal.

The police officer not only did not follow law 4039/2012 and the orders from his employer, the Hellenic Police Department, as well as the recent circular of the Association of Greek Prosecutors, but, against all evidence, tried to convince the members of Filozoiki Merimna Amorgou that the dog's conditions were perhaps not ideal, but definitely acceptable.

Liza’s is one of the many instances of the cruelty against animals which the volunteers of the Filozoiki Merimna Amorgou are determined to vanquish. She was fortunate to be rescued from the hands of her oppressor, but clearly many are the people who do not have any idea of what it means to treat an animal in a manner that could be defined as both humane and civilized.

Liza, healed and happy

Liza, healed and happy

Liza’s owner was formally charged and on November 27, 2013, a trial was held in the three-member Misdemeanor Court of Naxos. He was convicted and sentenced to a 1 year imprisonment (the sentence was suspended, as it is customary for a first time offender) and to pay a fine of 5,000 euros. The court also ruled out the owner’s request to regain possession of the animal. Liza was assigned to the Filozoiki Merimna Amorgou and the dog will live at the AZI's center until a suitable home is found for her.

The defendant has appealed the decision and a new trial will be held in the courts of Syros. The sentence and the fine may be reduced, but the ownership of the dog has been denied once and for all. Liza will never have to face her torturer again.

It is a first, very significant victory, for all the good people of Amorgos who aspire to see their island freed from the insane and useless brutality of a handful of ill-mannered, arrogant and backward looking individuals, still strutting among them, as well as from the lethargic laissez-faire attitude of conniving public officers.

, , ,

Fall Sterilization Program

, , ,
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.

,

Two Tiny Orange Tabbies

,
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.