Voris is adopted!!

Τhe year 2023 ended with a very beautiful surprise as its finale—both our rescue dogs Jack and Voris were adopted! The Christmas holidays found both our boys in their new homes! Needless to say how happy we felt for that. (You can read their original post here.)

In the 3 years we had had them in our care, there was not the slightest interest shown in adopting them. Not even a message or a question although they were available for adoption through various organizations in Holland, USA and Italy. We don't know if it was because they were old or liked to chase cats, rabbits and birds or if they were just unlucky. What is certain is that their luck turned in their favour. It started with Jack who was adopted in Italy by our good friends Piero and Beatrice. It was as if with this adoption the bad energy broke and in a very short time the good news came for Voris as well.

Initially there was an interest in hosting Voris from a very sweet person, our new friend Rainer who hosted him in his house in Amorgos. At the same time, on the other side of Europe, an effort was being made to find a permanent home for him. The good news didn't take long to come and Voris would be traveling from Amorgos to Sweden with his good friend Rainer. From Amorgos to Athens, from Athens to Denmark and from Denmark to Sweden, until Voris officially became a Swedish citizen!! Enjoy the video with him in his new country where he finally has what every dog deserves, a warm house and his own family to love and care for him! With Kasja it was love at first sight!

We always try to offer the best we can to the dogs in our care. They can have a kennel to protect them from the weather conditions, they can have clean water, they can have proper food, they can have their medication and vet attention and care when needed, they can have their walks and human presence and attention but at the end of the day they will go back to an impersonal shelter cage. Because this is life in a shelter. However, this is why shelters are places of temporary stay. The shelter is the place they will go to be protected from the dangers they face and it is the first step to a better life. Our goal for these animals is always to find their own family and the effort for this does not stop until this goal is achieved.

A HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing dream team who made this happen!!! Some wish to remain anonymous and we will respect that, but to those we are free to name, we thank Fanny, Rainer, Erica, Marie, Beatrice and Kasja. To all, thank yous are not enough for what you did for Voris and Jack. You are all AMAZING!

Have a wonderful long and happy new life sweet boys! We are finally relieved and very happy for you both Jack and Voris!!

Jack is Adopted!

Jack, a senior at 14 years old, came into our hands 3 years ago under a public prosecutor's order after being seized from his owner. Over the years there was no interest in adopting Jack, and we were afraid that he would die in a shelter without ever feeling the warmth of a family.

And then his angels appeared! Two AMAZING people who decided to offer this amazing dog the loving home he so desperately needs in the golden years of his life.

After spending a few days at with them in Amorgos, the big day of travel arrived. Jack left Amorgos to go to Piraeus, then went from Piraeus to Igoumenitsa, and from Igoumenitsa to Italy. And finally — home!!!

Jack is now in his country of origin as he is a purebred Italian Segugio and is officially an Italian citizen!!

Have a wonderful new, long, happy, cozy life sweet Jack!! We sincerely thank those who supported, loved, and tried hard to offer Jack a better life!

Fall Sterilization Program 2022

Another sterilization program was completed with great success! Over a period of 10 days, a total of 213 stray cats (129 female and 84 male) were spayed/neutered from all over Amorgos, as well as 1 male dog. Additionally, surgeries were performed to remove cancer from the ears of two cats, as well as two surgeries for hernia repair, and, sadly, two euthanasias were performed for two very sick cats with late-stage cancer.

All animals were also vaccinated against rabies (except for those who were too sick), received anti-parasitic treatment, and were marked electronically (microchip). This program was made in collaboration with the Municipality of Amorgos and Animal Zone International.

We would first like to thank our amazing veterinarian Dr. Andrianna Alexandropoulou, for her unwavering support and assistance (and for the fact that she worked intensely to meet the needs of our community).

Also we offer sincere thanks to the Municipality of Amorgos for the continuous support and perfect cooperation, the local veterinarian Dr. Dimitris Simos for his cooperation, and for transporting and catching cats of Chora, our Chariklia Psaki who worked eagerly as a veterinarian assistant. We wish to thank our amazing volunteers Giorgos, Angeliki, Anna, Melina, Marianna, Kaliroi, Lamia, Lilie, Wentoula, Fani, Alexandros, Giannis and Rania who "plowed the island" and went up and down many stairs in order to collect and release cats as well as to assist in the clinic, and of course all the inhabitants of the island who helped each in his or her own way.

We would like to say that the participation of the residents in this program was wonderful and to apologize to those who were unable to be included in the program as literally it was raining cats. Thank you all!

This sterilization program is crucial for both the cats and the residents of the island. Without this effort, the population of cats would explode to unsustainable levels. Cats reach the age of reproduction very quickly at 6 months and can have two or three litters a year. When there is an explosion in the cat population, it is difficult to feed and care for them all, and they soon become parasitic and sick, suffering from malnutrition and common infections, and increasing dissatisfaction within the community. When the cat population is under control, we are able to give them proper food and treatments for parasites, so that their overall health improves which reduces their risk of being considered a nuisance pest. Suffering is reduced and harmony is achieved.

If you agree, please continue to support our efforts to improve the lives of the cats of Amorgos. Make a donation to AZI today. Thank you! https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Meet Roumi, our new rescued puppy

August 2022—Meet Roumi, a sweet young female puppy. Originally Roumi was adopted and brought to Amorgos but that owner was extremely neglectful, irresponsible and clearly unable to properly care for her. She was often alone on the streets, tied to signposts next to main roads all night, or left under the sun on the beach without any protection etc.

We received many calls from concerned citizens regarding for her well being, sometimes in the very early morning, about 4am or 5am. Finally she was taken in by a nice girl who refused to give her back to her owner, knowing how poorly he cared for Roumi.

She made a complaint to the police and asked us for help, which we gave with great pleasure by taking the puppy under our care. Now Roumi is with us and we are looking for a caring family who will treat her with the love and respect that she deserves.

Welcome Roumi!

Progress Report 2022

Our coordinator Litsa put together the slide show below, showcasing some of our more difficult cases so far this year.

WARNING: some of the images are graphic and therefore may be upsetting to some people.

As you can clearly see, these animals need our help! Some are suffering needlessly. For us to continue to do the work we do, we need your help! Won’t you make a donation today? https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Update on Feevos

December 2021—It was back in February 2020 when we received a phone call from a resident who told us about a dog living on a mountain of feces and trash, locked in a warehouse without even one window to let the sunlight in. (You can read the original story here: https://www.animal-zone.org/news/2020/4/24/the-rescue-of-two-dogs)

In August 2020, Feevos found his forever home in Holland where he has lived happily since then: https://www.animal-zone.org/news/2020/8/22/feevos

And recently Feevos’ case was brought to trial in the three-member court of first instance of Naxos. Feevos’ former owner was accused of passive abuse of the animal. The court found the accused guilty and handed him a sentence of 1 year and 6 months suspended imprisonment. We are grateful that Feevos and our efforts were vindicated by the Greek justice system.

To all who find themselves witnessing abuse, please, do not turn a blind eye. Feevos was rescued and saved because someone spoke up and took action. Animals are unable to defend themselves, so we humans must step up to be their voices and help them when we witness their suffering.

Update on Casper

June 2021—We were very happy to receive new photos of Casper yesterday!! Casper, who now goes by Caspar, is doing great at his new home in Holland. Caspar was adopted in January 2021 and since then he is happily living with his dad.

See his full story here: https://www.animal-zone.org/news/2021/1/26/casper

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

Casper

In May 2020, Casper was found abandoned in a remote area of Amorgos, thin and very frightened. (You can read the original post of his story here.)

Once rescued, Casper turned into a darling boy. From the start, a number of people showed interest in adopting him but in those early months he was frightened of everyone so we decided to keep him a little longer until he began feel more secure.

Casper was temporarily placed with a family with extensive experience nurturing dogs who have experienced trauma and soon he blossomed into a calmer dog. Once he was ready for adoption, a family in Holland was ready and waiting for him but Covid-19 made travel impossible.

Finally, in January of 2021, Casper traveled from Amorgos to Piraeus with our program coordinator and the next morning he was on his way to his new home. Casper is now a Dutch National and he loves his new home and his new dad.

We offer our thanks to Herman for giving a loving home to this sweet boy and we thank Mirtos Animal Project for helping to make this possible.

To our tiny sweet ghost, we wish you a wonderful long life with your new family.

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!

Our dog shelter

Our dog shelter was finally emptied thanks to the adoption of the three dogs we had been hosting, which means that we can now continue the work that we began earlier to maintain the safety and comfort of this small canine compound.

Using bamboo taken from another area where it wasn’t needed, we created a sheltered area to protect from the summer sun and the autumn winds.

We also added new gravel to the ground since it protects the dogs from the mud when it rains. It took over one hundred sacks of gravel to cover the area, which will help keep the dogs clean and dry. We also laid fresh hay in the doghouses. All of this was done in time to welcome two new canine members to our facility.

Next, we must repair the roof so that protection from the rain will help to make the shelter a truly comfortable enclosure.

If you would like to help us with the maintenance of our dog shelter, you can make a contribution here: https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

Our work on Amorgos is dependent on your donations. No donation is too small!

We thank you and wish you the very best during this trying time.

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.

AZI Slideshow

The video below shows some of the sweet cats and dogs (and a goat!) we have rescued so far in 2020. So many kittens came to us sick and malnourished and now they are beautiful, healthy cats. Some have been adopted but many others still need a loving and safe place to call home.

We can do this with only with the help of our supporters like you. Your contributions are crucial, so please give what you can. No donation is too small! Each creature that comes to our Center gets a chance at a better life. We tend to the sick, feed the hungry, and search out good homes for as many as we can.

Donate here: https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI

WARNING: Some “Before” images are graphic.

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

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.

Scenes from AZI's Center

Feevos

Feevos, a pup that had been locked in a darkened warehouse for over a year, was finally 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, Feevos has finally found his forever home in Holland. He will be given the love that he was denied in his first year and this sweet young dog will be able to give back the love that so clearly fills his special heart.

We want to thank Mirtos Animal Project and their team for all their help in finding a home for Feevos. Ruben and Lennie escorted Feevos to Karin and his new family who so lovingly opened their hearts to this handsome boy. We wish a long and happy and wonderful new life to our dear Feevos!!

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

Casper

A few weeks ago, a man from Arkesini saw a small dog in a very bad state wandering the area of Kolofana, but, when he and his grandsons had tried to approach it, the dog slipped away.

In order to find and help this small frightened ghost, we staked out a post and waited for the dog to appear. But after eight hours with no sign of the dog, we abandoned our post and returned to the Center.

A week later we heard from Mr. G again. He said he had seen the dog once more and the poor thing appeared to be in worse condition. We set off for Kolofana with food and water and had a lucky break—someone had seen the dog resting in an olive grove.

We set out immediately for the olive grove but the dog remained out of reach, retreating into the bushes as we tried to approach. Clearly the dog was afraid of humans so we had the idea that perhaps the presence of another, friendly, dog might help. Giorgios agreed to come with his lovely dog Lioumpa and Lioumpa had a calming effect on our frightened quarry.

We were able finally to capture this tiny boy and bring him to our Center where we could feed and clean him and treat the many infections and the malnutrition that came from what must have been at least a month of being on his own.

We call this tiny fellow Casper and he will stay with us at the Center while he recuperates and returns to health. He is learning many new skills that will be necessary once he finds a loving home. He is a fast learner, a sweet, gentle, and playful young fellow.

Once again we appeal to all the owners of female dogs and cats to act responsibly and have them spayed and neutered. It is the most humane thing that you can do in order to avoid the unnecessary suffering of their unwanted litters.

View fullsize

On his first day

View fullsize

After treatment and a bath

View fullsize

Finally, a safe place to rest

Update on Arangon

Do you remember our big, super sweet, and kind dog Arangon? Arangon was adopted two years ago by an amazing family in Holland.

Arangon and four of his siblings were found, abandoned as 2-month-old puppies, and sadly spent the next 2 1/2 years waiting for their forever home.

Just as we were despairing that we would never find a home for them we received notice from a Dutch animal organization (with whom we often work with) regarding interest in two of these dogs. And we were so thrilled when the interest eventually led to adoption. 

In March 2018, Arangon and his brother Bobbie traveled from Amorgos, where their lives had no future, to Holland, to start their lives as a part of a family, inside a real home.

Helen and Peter, the new parents of Arangon, recently sent a lovely note to us with this update: "Arangon is indeed the best most lovable and kind dog on earth. We are so happy to have him with us in Holland! Your description was very accurate—he is all you wrote. Hope you are well, and here are some photos."

And we say, “Thank you for giving Arangon a wonderful life!”