News & Events
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!
At the end of his treatment.
when he came at AZI’s center
At the port of Katapola, waiting for the boat to Piraius.
Paola escorts him to his new family
At his new home, exploring everything
At his new home, with his new dad Cesare
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!
Little Sara has been adopted by a woman who comes to Amorgos from Athens every summer to work in a jewelry shop in Chora. She and Sara bonded right away and now they are never apart. We are so happy that they have become fast friends, and that Sara has found a loving new home.
Daisy is a purebred pointer, about 6 years old, who was owned by a hunter. Because she hated the sound of the gun, she made a terrible hunting dog so he didn’t want her anymore. In April 2014 traveled to Holland to join her new adopted family. There are 4 other pointers in her new family, so Daisy fits right in. We are so happy that she now has a family to call her own!
Bobby Marley and 14 other dogs were found badly neglected in Katapola, crowded in a dirty room. The Philozoiki was called by the local council to help. Bob Marley (now Bobley) was adopted in Belgium in November 2011 and enjoys his new life in the countryside with six dogs and two horses. Bobley’s owner wrote two books in which Bobley and local volunteer Lamia play an important role, and a third book is in the works.
Kouros and Zoe were found abandoned in a parking lot in Katapola as young puppies. We took them in and found permanent homes for them in Holland. Now they are happily living with their new families!
Yannis was abandoned on Gramboussa, a tiny island with no sources of water or food. Yannis faced certain death had he not been saved by a kind fisherman who heard him crying on the beach. We named the dog Yannis in his honor. Once restored to health, Yannis traveled to Holland and was fostered until the ideal family was found for him. He is now living a happy, healthy life in the Netherlands and enjoys playing and spending time with another dog who also happens to be from Greece.
It turns out that our little Annabel is indeed a boy (!), so he has been renamed Serius. He is happily settling into his new home in Aegina.
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!
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!
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.
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.
Tatumitsa was found as a kitten in August 2011 with a badly damaged front leg and full of worms (first two photos). Her leg was amputated and soon after she was adopted in Holland. Now she is a happy, healthy, gorgeous gray cat, and we are so happy for her.
Dafni as a kitten
Found in a garbage can, Dafni and came to the shelter late April 2012, and was raised up by bottle. She was eventually adopted in Athens. In the bottom photo you can see what a beauty she is now.
Dafni in her new home
Micky traveled safely to his new home. We are sad to say goodbye to our little friend but after seeing photos and hearing from his new mom we are thrilled about his new life. Another happy ending!
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!
Schubert
Last August, a young boy carrying a box approached Heraclia, a board member of the Philozoike, who was talking to Paola, AZI’s founder. The boy told them he and a friend found a kitten and took it home in order to play with it. Two weeks later, the novelty wore off and the family no longer wanted it. They decided to bring the cat to the Philozoike.
Inside the box was a magnificent orange tabby, looking just like a little tiger. He must have been exhausted, as he fell asleep right away and slept for a good long time. He turned out to be a sweet and thankful little friend, moving with such lyricism and grace that his name, Schubert, came on its own.
Schubert and a friend
Clearly, this was a special cat, and we were determined not to leave him behind. Our shelter was already full with cats waiting for adoption, so we made up our mind to find him a home in New York. He was given a full exam with all shots and received a passport, and soon we began our long journey from Amorgos to New York. He was an excellent and joyful traveler, approaching everything with curiosity.
In New York, Schubert was eagerly adopted by a loving family. His adoptive father is a musician and he now spends lots of time at the piano. A week after his arrival, Schubert was joined by a new American companion, Pablo, who is also a rescue. Today they are inseparable.
Despite the very happy ending, this story demonstrates the need for more education and awareness on the island. Taking a kitten away from its mother and then being unprepared for its care for the long-term results in the countless stray and abandoned cats on the island. Also, removing young too soon from its mother exposes the kitten to illness, often spreading diseases between the cat communities across the island. We have much more work to do! Help us if you can with a donation of any amount; thank you for your support.
Sisters Iris and Laika were found by children last August as puppies. In January, they made the journey from Amorgos to Holland to be placed with their new families. We will miss them but are happy they have found real homes. Below are photos of Iris and Laika from the summer and on the recent trip to their new homes.
