An Owl Rescue

When Litsa, our coordinator on Amorgos, heard about a little owl (Athene noctua) with a broken wing outside the gym in Xylokeratidi, she immediately went to get her. But, due to strong winds, ferry service was suspended so the owl had to stay with Litsa for three days.

When the winds subsided and the boat finally came, the injured owl was sent to the Alkioni Wild Bird Rescue Center in Paros where she will receive medical care, including surgery. We hope that she will be able to fly again, though we're told chances are 50-50. We will find out how she does in three weeks, and we hope for the best!  

Caline is Adopted!

Another happy tale: Caline, one of our blind kittens who arrived at the Center this summer, was adopted over the holidays by a couple in Paris. She arrived at her new home in December and is doing very well. You can see in the photos she has made herself right at home!

Happy New Year!

AZI's center is ready for Christmas!

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We are excited to celebrate Christmas and have decorated our center with Christmas cheer!

Four Kittens available for Adoption

These four adorable kittens are available for adoption. Won’t you consider giving one (or two) a home? If not, we could still use your help! Please be generous and sponsor a kitten; $25 a month will feed and protect one kitten with vaccinations. Donate now--thank you!

News from Our New Temporary Cat Shelter in Chora

After being rescued and saved, the cats of AZI need a safe place to stay prior to being adopted. The Monks of the Monastery kindly offered to lend AZI a piece of their land in Chora as a temporary shelter. A sturdy fence and a indoor space were built especially for the cats. It's a beautiful new home...yet please remember, many of these cats are available for adoption and they would love even more to move from a temporary home to a permanent one. Won't you consider adopting one?

Working Weekend Ahead

The examination room is ready!

While in New York we are madly preparing for the Annual Argos Fall Benefit, back in Amorgos, Litsa is madly preparing for a weekend of spaying and neutering. She will be working with 4 vets and one vet student to spay/neuter cats from all areas of Amorgos as well as some dogs. Getting the cat population under control is a major step toward achieving a healthy cat community and improved environmental conditions for everyone on the island. We wish Litsa and the vets the very best this weekend!

The ARGOS Fall Benefit 2014

Dear Friends of Animal Zone International, you are cordially invited to our annual ARGOS Fall Benefit event. This year, it is being held on November 12th at Thalassa, an elegant Greek restaurant in Tribeca, New York City.

We will be honoring Jean Shafiroff for her philanthropic work in animal welfare. As usual there will be a silent auction of exceptional artwork, gifts and vacation packages to Greece. Mark your calendars and join us for a night of fun and delicious food! For more information, contact Astic Productions at 212-581-1400 or megan@asticproductions.com.

2-day Spay/Neuter Program

We are currently organizing for a 2 day free spay/neuter program for stray cats. It will be held the weekend of November 8-9 at the rural veterinary clinic οf Chora. Volunteers are needed. If you are available, please contact info@animal-zone.org.  

Visiting Schools, Part 2

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Litsa Passari, AZI's Local Coordinator, and the president of Filozoiki Angeliki Palioura continue to visit classes in different schools to teach about human treatment of animals and animal rights as a part of World Animal Day.

The children eagerly participated in a discussion about personal experiences and had many questions for the speakers. We are encouraged as they seemed more involved than last year which shows how important this annual visit is. As a part of the day, children also painted their favorite animal (to participate in an AZI-sponsored contest) and also played musical chairs (with a twist).

New temporary shelter

We have built a temporary cat shelter on land that has been lent to AZI by Monks of the famed Monastery of Hozoviotissa. A strong, tall fence has been put up and we plan to move cats, dogs and saved goats there until a permanent place is available.

Even as a temporary shelter, it is very beautifully constructed and we believe our cats will love it here. The first residents—6 cats—arrived this week, and as you can see they are happy to run and play in the trees, sunbathe and enjoy themselves.

World Animal Day, October 4

Volunteers in Aegiali: Anastasia Voulgaridi (second from the left) and Efi Pavlidou (third from left) with the teachers from the schools. We want to thank all teachers for their hospitality and especially the director Maria Anagnostou (fourth from the left) who opened the doors of the schools with great willingness.

In honor of World Animal Day (October 4th), AZI's Program Coordinator Litsa in collaboration with the Filozoiki organized visits to all kindergarden and primary schools of Amorgos, in order to teach children sensitivity toward animals. In addition to lessons in the classroom, the visits included activities such as games and a short film. Also, there will be an essay contest for the older children and an art contest for the younger ones with the theme on animal rights and animals as our friends. We look forward to receiving the entries!

Luna is Adopted!

Luna on the boat

On October 1, 2014, Luna traveled from Amorgos to Athens airport. Later that same day, she flew to Holland where her new family was eagerly awaiting her at the airport. When she arrived, she went to them right away. She was curious about the world which she arrived in but she was tired from the long journey and slept the rest of the way to her new home. She is adored by her family, and she is enjoying everything there from the green grass, cows, riding in the car and sleeping on her new blanket. She loves to play and run and sometimes she is shy, but the cats are getting used to her and the kids love her, so what more can we ask for? We are so happy for her, and wish her the best in her new life!

Luna felt safer in her transport box as we were waiting the car that took us to the airport

Litsa and Luna in the queue for the check-in

Thanasis (Luna's escort from Amorgos) learns the entire procedure

Arrival at the Dutch airport and her new dad gives her some treats

Luna, happy in her new home

Valés is Adopted!

Valés

At the end of his treatment.

Valés

when he came at AZI’s center

Valés

At the port of Katapola, waiting for the boat to Piraius.

Valés

Paola escorts him to his new family

Valés

At his new home, exploring everything

Valés

At his new home, with his new dad Cesare

Valés!

Have a happy and healthy life, little Valés!

Valés arrived at AZI's center 4 months ago, when he was only 2 months old. He was in very bad shape, suffering from a serious respiratory disease. He was treated and quickly recovered. Valés was then put up for adoption and...On August 30th he traveled from Amorgos to Piraeus, and the following day from Athens to Milan, and then to Venice where he met his new family. He now lives with a dog who adores him and 3 other cats. One of the cats is very excited to have him around, one prefers to ignore him while the third positively hates him. As you can see Valés is quite happy with his new family (humans included: Cesare and Emanuela). Have a happy and healthy life, little Valés!