Rescue of a Grey Heron

June 2021—A few weeks ago we were told that there was a big bird on the beach who was unable to fly. Our program coordinator Litsa went to investigate where she found a grey heron (Ardea cinarea) making every attempt to fly.

The bird was clearly exhausted from flying during migration season, completely skin and bones. He was given first aid immediately and the next morning he was sent to the Alkioni - Aegean Wildlife Hospital on the island of Paros, where they specialize in the care of wild birds.

The bird was given a poor prognosis as it was in a very bad shape, so much so that a feeding tube to the stomach had to be inserted. Yet the bird proved to be a fighter and managed to fully recover.

A few days ago the Alkioni - Aegean Wildlife Hospital together with the Special High School of Paros released the bird back to its natural environment. We were thrilled to see him fly off in good health.

The Alkioni - Aegean Wildlife Hospital does amazing work protecting and caring for wild birds. Τhey are always willing to help us with advice and for this reason, we are grateful and appreciate their work.

https://www.facebook.com/282833361820028/photos/a.284314225005275/3605366772899987

A Joyful Reunion

Last year, in 2020, Kanelos and Feevos were rescued a week apart, taken from their former owners and the miserable conditions in which they lived. Kanelos was tied up on a remote mountain, alone, with only a rusty barrel for a house, and Feevos was kept in a dirty warehouse, not even able to see sunlight. They spent a few months together at our shelter, recovering from their traumatic experiences, and in a relatively short time, both were adopted in the Netherlands by two amazing families.

We had informed both families about our suspicion that the two dogs were possibly brothers — as they had belonged to two brothers, are very similar to each other, are the same age, and they got along well at our Center. We thought it would be nice to schedule, if possible, a playdate for the dogs once they were settled in their new homes. And two days ago it happened.

Feevos and Kanelos, after about a year of separation, had a joyous reunion. From the moment they recognized each other they played and ran for two hours straight, in complete bliss. Seeing the photos documenting this jubilant reunion made us very, very happy and strengthens our resolve to fulfill our mission of rescuing abused and neglected animals and give them a full, happy life instead.

Rescue of two dogs

On Saturday, December 5, 2020, we received a call from the Public Prosecutor of Naxos who asked us if we could host two dogs who were living in miserable conditions and needed to be urgently removed from their current situation. The prosecutor had ordered their removal after receiving a complaint from an Italian visitor to our island.

When we arrived at the scene, we found two emaciated dogs—literally skin and bones—fenced in a small unsanitary enclosure with two inadequate shelters. One was chained while the other was free. There were buckets of a dark green-yellow liquid that perhaps once contained water. The brown dog was called Jack and he had scars on his face. The other dog, a white and brown one, was called Voris, and he had matted fur with many bald spots and an old injury on his chin. The dogs were clearly neglected and the stench coming from both of them was unbelievable.

We took Jack and Voris to the vet that very afternoon and, after the necessary examinations, both were taken to our shelter. Both dogs got blood tests to further investigate their state of health. Jack, the older dog, was found to be healthy while Voris turned out to have a serious liver problem, requiring special treatment as well as prescription dog food and supplements. In one month he will be checked again, and we hope that we will see signs of improvement.

On December 22, 2020, after examining all the evidence that had been gathered, the Public Prosecutor issued a new provision that permanently removed the dogs from their owner and officially entrusted them to Animal Zone International. We are relieved, for now the road for adoption is open to them. We will search high and low for a good, loving, and safe home for them.

Since then, Jack and Voris have been doing very well. They eat with gusto and have happily put on weight. They have been groomed, dewormed, and treated for fleas and ticks. They go for long walks in the mornings and afternoons and are enjoying their newfound freedom. Jack, a handsome Segugio Italiano, is about 9 years old; Voris is about 7 years old and is a beautiful English setter.

We hope that a good home will be found for them soon—it’s what these two most deserve, a happy new life in peace and comfort. If you’d like to help them, please consider a donation for their care (food, medicine, and hopefully soon, funds to help with their adoption). No donation is too small. Your help is needed and very much appreciated! Donate here: https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Mayia

Mayia is a small dog weighing about 7 kilos /15 lbs. She was abandoned along with another dog, Casper, back in Spring 2020, somewhere near the village of Kolofana.

We were able to rescue Casper easily but Mayia eluded us the entire summer. In October, a kind man from Kolofana spotted her following his dog. We asked for his help to secure Mayia by putting food out in an enclosed area. The next day he called us to get her; she was in his garage.

When we first met her, Mayia was completely scared and she kept trying to run away, and on a walk she did just that, pulling out of her harness and disappearing once again. We didn’t see her or hear anything about her for a long while.

Then, about two weeks before Christmas, we had some good news—a shepherd spotted a loose dog in the mountains. When he saw Mayia's picture, he said it was her, so we had him help us rescue her by putting food in an enclosed area once again. A week later, just two days before Christmas, the shepherd called saying he had Mayia. Finally, she was back with us at our Center, and the hard work to socialize her began. We also made sure her harness was secure on walks this time!

After a couple of weeks, Mayia improved quite a bit and she is learning to trust people more. She has bonded with our volunteer Giorgos with whom she spends most of her time. She was also reunited with her brother Casper and plays with him a lot. We’re thrilled to see her happy and safe. Welcome sweet Mayia!

Ivan is Adopted

In early November, we were very concerned that Greece might be entering another lockdown due to the pandemic and prevent us from getting Ivan to his flight to Holland. But by grace and good fortune, we managed to get our beloved Ivan to the airport, and thereafter to his new home in Holland.

Lucky for him, this sweet fellow got on on the very last ship from Amorgos to Athens just before the lockdown began. Then our amazing volunteer, Julia, hosted him in her home in Athens for two days before she and Pepi escorted him to the airport. From there, the wonderful Corina from the Mirtos Animal Project came from Holland and escorted Ivan on the flight to Holland.

Finally, late on Sunday evening, Ivan arrived at Schiphol Airport and into the arms of his new mum. We wish them both a long and beautiful and happy life together, sharing love and companionship. Ivan in particular loves to be hugged so we send him so many warm hugs to accompany him in his new life.

Update on Bolec and Lolec

The latest rescue of two orphaned kittens, Bolec and Lolec, has been a great success. (See their original post here.)

These two are very happy, affectionate, and playful and would be a wonderful addition to a warm and loving home. What about yours? They will entertain you nonstop!

Update on Kanelos

Kanelos, whose story we posted a short time ago, has been given the legal right, by order of the Prosecutor of the Court of First Instance of Naxos, to be rescued by Animal Zone International.

See his original story here: https://www.animal-zone.org/news/2020/4/24/the-rescue-of-two-dogs

After nearly six months with us at our Center, Kanelos has finally found his forever home in Holland. He will be given the love that he was denied in his first year and now this sweet young dog will be able to give back the love that so clearly fills his special heart. Kanelos is living now with another dog, named Mila, and two cats.

We want to thank Mirtos Animal Project and their team for all of their help in finding a home for Kanelos. From Julia and Wensley who escorted Kanelos to Simone and her family who so lovingly opened their hearts to this handsome boy. We wish a long and happy and wonderful new life to our dear Kanelos!!

Our work on Amorgos is dependent on donations so we ask for your help in saving these innocent creatures. Please make a contribution today! https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Bolec and Lolec

Recently two newborn kittens arrived from the area of Rachidi in Katapola. We learned of their existence because their constant crying was keeping people awake for several nights. Fortunately we arrived just in time. These two helpless kittens were not even a month old, malnourished, dehydrated, and clearly abandoned. It seemed that their chances for survival were slim. But, after five days of feedings of two or three drops of milk throughout the day, they began to eat on their own and gained strength and their health. Now, they are feeling better and starting to play together. We welcome them and wish Bolec and Lolec a long and happy life.

Update on Yupi

Yupi arrived safely in his new home in Belgium. The people of the shelter there will do their best in order to give this handsome boy the special care he needs. Thank you all!

Kanelos

Kanelos was found living alone on a mountain slope, chained between two barrels, a very lonely and undernourished fellow, but, in only a short time, after his rescue, he responded to our care and attention and soon he learned to trust us and he became transformed into a happy, active and playful dog with no resemblance to the frightened boy that we first met.

On 30 September 2020, Kanelos left Amorgos to be with his forever family, a family that is ready to love him and keep him safe and well. We send our great good wishes to Kanelos. Very soon you will have the life you deserve and you will live in the warmth of your own home. We will post updates and photos from his new life as soon as we have them!

Kanelos as we found him

Kanelos at our Center in Amorgos, playing with Casper.

Yupi

When he came to Animal Zone International’s Center, he was a bony creature with a respiratory problem and severe diarrhea. After a few days, we discovered he had a very serious condition — partial paralysis of the large intestine and a malfunctioning sphincter, which caused the incontinence and frequent infections, etc.

We’re told it was possibly caused by a stroke. But we know an animal in this condition cannot survive in the streets and adoption is not so easy for special needs cats. So we turned to a shelter in Belgium which is known to take on difficult cases.

Happily, Yupi was accepted and on 29 September 2020, he traveled to the Netherlands where he will stay for a few days before he heads to Belgium in order to be evaluated by experienced rescuers. We hope against hope that he will find his own home as he is an absolute cuddly sweet creature.

We want to acknowledge all the caring people who started the chain of events that saved him. From the tourist who picked him up from the streets of Tholaria, the volunteers who took care of him at our Center, Marina who accompanied him on the ship from Amorgos to Piraeus, Pepi and Daniel who picked him up from the port of Piraeus and hosted him at their house for a few days and accompanied him to the airport, Sophie and Jelle who accompanied him on the flight, Juliet who picked him up in the Netherlands, hosted him for a few days, and drove him all the way to Belgium to deliver him to the shelter who agreed to take him in.

This show of love and care makes us very optimistic, knowing there are many who do not remain indifferent and rather are willing to work together to help a small creature very much in need.

We hope that our little Yupi will be well —as well as possible. We wish you a good start in your new life and we hope that you will soon find your own family who will accept you as you are.

Orfeas, before and after

Orfeas came to our Center in May 2020 after being rescued from the streets along with his sister, Evridiki. They were not quite two months old and were living with their mom in the area of Kastelopetra, next to the central road in Katapola – Chora.

We never like to separate kittens from their mothers but unfortunately both kittens were suffering from respiratory disease and eye infections to such a degree that we feared for their survival. Now, even though their health is greatly improved, they have severely impaired vision or are blind due to the infection.

Blind kittens cannot survive on the streets, much less next to a busy road, so we have kept them with us and they are now playful and happy five month olds. They are healthy aside from their eyesight and would love to be in a new home. Would you consider adopting these sweet siblings?

Our work on Amorgos is dependent on donations and we ask for your help in caring for Orfeas. Please help us as well in finding him a loving home. We and Orfeas would be ever so grateful! https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Rescue of an Injured Buzzard

In August 2020, we received a telephone call from a local resident who had found an injured bird in a remote area of Amorgos. The bird, a common buzzard of the species Buteo buteo, had a serious fracture on its left wing.

The injury seemed to be an old one because it was just skin and bones due to its inability to hunt. And because we are not equipped to care for wild birds we contacted the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, ALKIONI, and sent the injured bird on the first boat leaving Amorgos to Paros, where they are located.

The bird has done well under the care of the amazing Marios Fournaris and we believe that it will soon be released back into nature. There is only a small deformity of the wing due to the fracture but the specialists at the hospital believe it will survive and thrive in the wild.

We want to thank the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, ALKIONI, for its excellent cooperation with AZI and we congratulate them for the great work they do.

Baby Hawk Rescue

Early this summer, June 2020, a baby hawk (of the species Falco tinnunculus) was found by tourists visiting the monastery of Chozoviotissa. The baby hawk had fallen from its nest and could not be returned to the high rocks where the nest had been built.

Since there was a danger from prowling feral cats these kind tourists brought the baby hawk to us at our Center. This is not our area of expertise so we contacted the Aegean Wildlife Hospital ALKIONI in Paros. This baby bird was sent to them on the first boat leaving Amorgos for Paros.

After a few months, the baby hawk has grown up under the care of the amazing Marios Fournaris and it was recently released back into nature. We want to thank the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, ALKIONI, for its excellent cooperation with AZI and we congratulate them for the great work they do.

 Here is a small video of the chick when he was in AZI's care:

Jerry

In June, Jerry arrived with his siblings at our Center when they were not quite two months old. These small babes suffered from the usual respiratory disease and eye infections but after treatment and intensive care, they have fully recovered and now are active, playful and cuddly kittens—which means that they are available for adoption.

Unfortunately Jerry’s left eye never fully recovered — it is so badly damaged that he must undergo surgery and therefore, it also means that we are searching for cat lovers who can make a contribution to his care.

Please help us to help Jerry and make a contribution today! We and Jerry would be truly grateful! https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Evridiki

Evridiki came to our Center in May after being rescued from the streets along with her brother Orfeas. These kittens were not quite two months old and were living with their mom in the area of Kastelopetra, next to the central road in Katapola, Chora.

We never like to separate kittens from their mothers but unfortunately both kittens were suffering from respiratory disease and eye infections to such a degree that we feared for their survival. Sadly, even though their health has greatly improved, they have both lost their eyesight to the infection.

Blind kittens cannot survive on the streets and so we have kept them with us and they are now healthy playful and happy five month olds and they would be grateful for a new home.

Our work on Amorgos is dependent on donations and we ask for your help in caring for sweet Evridiki. Please consider a virtual adoption! We and Evridiki would be ever so grateful. https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Bonnie & Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde are now one-and-a-half months old and they just had their first adventure outside. They now can eat by themselves in spite of still asking for a baby bottle whenever they see their “mama” Litsa.

These two sweethearts are active and playful — sweet kittens who will soon be ready for adoption. We know they will bring joy to their forever home so send in your application now!!

See the original post here: https://www.animal-zone.org/news/2020/7/22/bonnie-and-clyde-two-orphaned-kittens

Our work on Amorgos is dependent on your donations. Please help us help these innocent creatures and make a contribution today! We and the kittens of Amorgos would be ever so grateful. https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Bonnie and Clyde at one-and-a-half-months old

Bonnie and Clyde’s first time outside

Four Kittens

In June, a young girl from Arkesini called our program coordinator, Litsa, and asked for help with four newborn kittens that she had discovered alone in a field. Litsa gave her advice on how to care for them until they could be brought to our Center the next day.

These tiny kittens were only about three weeks old, not yet able to feed themselves, so we began an intensive care program, feeding them every two and a half hours with a baby bottle.  It seemed better for Litsa to care for them at home because of the intensive and time consuming program.

Because Litsa was already caring for two other newborns she asked ten-year-old Melina to come and help with their care.  Melina decided to take all four kittens home with her until they could begin to eat soft food by themselves. After that, Fanis, Croket, Ermina and Nala came back into Litsa’s care where they will remain until we can find loving homes for them.  

Our work on Amorgos is dependent of your donations. Please help us help these innocent creatures and make a contribution today! https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Bonnie and Clyde, Two Orphaned Kittens

About a week ago, a group of children came to our Center to tell our program director, Litsa, about three newborn kittens whose mother had been killed by a car and were alone and starving.

When Litsa found them, sadly one had already died and the other two were motionless, dehydrated, with sores on their soft paws from trying to walk on the hard asphalt, but thankfully, still alive.

She brought the two survivors to our Center where they received nourishing treatments and constant attention. Now, these two little sweethearts have opened their eyes and are becoming friends with our rescue dog Casper, looking up to him as if he is the mother that they lost.

We have high hopes for long and happy lives for these two innocent kittens!

Two Blind Kittens

In May, we received a report of two small kittens with serious eye infections. The kittens were still with their feral mother in Kastelopetra, next to the main road to Katapola-Chora. When our program coordinator arrived, she found a mother cat with four kittens, two of which were healthy and who scampered away when the coordinator approached.

Sadly, the two other kittens did indeed have severe eye infections and were obviously unable to see. We brought them to our Center where we immediately began treatment with antibiotics and eye drops. We were hoping to save their sight but unfortunately, it was too late.

So now we are looking for a forever home for these two-month-old blind babies. Orfeas is a beautiful red boy and Evridiki is a three-colored girl. They are sweet and playful despite their handicap and they would thrive in a loving home.

Please consider adopting them if you are able, or if not, won’t you help us care and feed them in the meantime, by making a donation on our donation page? Orfeas and Evrdiki deserve a happy and safe life!