An amazing volunteer from Canada

Her name is Janel, and what an amazing volunteer!

Although she is only 18 years old, she decided to make the very long trip from Canada to Amorgos to offer voluntary help to the animals of our island. This in itself makes her special.

She came to Amorgos and volunteered for two weeks. She cleaned cages, weeded gardens and enclosures, walked dogs, took care of kittens, brushed donkeys, gave her attention and love to sick cats as if she were an already experienced volunteer. Always punctual and always responsible, whatever she was doing. A smiling, sweet, young woman with an eagerness to give.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Janel, for what you have given us and the animals of Amorgos. We will be very happy to see you again. AZI’s family will always be here for you. We wish you a happy life and may all your dreams come true.

Here you can find more information about our Student Volunteering program with which you too can come to Amorgos and help the animals of the island: https://www.animal-zone.org/students-volunteering-program

Hope to see you soon!

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

Thank you EDKE!

As part of the Crossing 2022 organized by Symplefsi (+ plefsi) targeting nine small and remote Greek islands, the Voluntary Action of Veterinarians of Greece (EDKE) came to Amorgos. The team of EDKE consisted of two veterinarians, Mr. Ioannis Batsas and Mr. Elias Kaldis, who gave the stray animals of Amorgos free medical care.

A total of 20 stray cats were neutered, dewormed, vaccinated and microchipped. Also masses were surgically removed from a cat and a dog, an awn was removed from a donkey's eye, and a donkey with a chronic problem with her knees received treatment. Additionally a few more stray animals were examined and vaccinated.

We warmly thank Εθελοντική Δράση Κτηνιάτρων Ελλάδος (Ε.Δ.Κ.Ε.) and Symplefsi for the care and support they offer to humans and animals alike. May you all be well to continue the wonderful work you are doing. Until we meet again!!!

Supporting Symplefsi & EDKE

Symplefsi (+ plefsi) — a non-profit organization that aims to support and improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of the remote islands of Greece announced the realization of the Crossing 2022, which will involve nine small remote and isolated Greek islands from Thursday, May 5 until Sunday, May 15.

A fleet of the 11 inflatable boats will transport more than 90 volunteers to the following islands: Sikinos, Kassos, Tilos, Pserimos, Levitha, Kinaros, Amorgos, Schinoussa, Heraklia, for a total route of over 500 nautical miles. The primary goal of the mission is to offer free specialized medical examinations and related health services.

The Voluntary Action of Veterinarians of Greece (EDKE) are a part of the effort, with its volunteers offering veterinary assistance, care, and sterilization to stray animals on the islands. The aim of the partnership is the overall offer of health in the Greek remote islands.

Animal Zone International cannot but support this action by providing space of our veterinary clinic for the participating veterinarians to perform their work, as well as by offering volunteer help. That is why we call those volunteers who are interested in helping with the catching and transporting of stray cats as well as those residents who care for stray animals that need neutering to contact us at the phones: 22850-71716 (08-00 am to 14:00 pm) and 697499004545.

A very special volunteer

What can we say about this woman: In the past year she has come to Amorgos twice. Though it was her vacation, she spent all her time volunteering. She cleaned beaches in collaboration with the fishermen, and with us, she cleaned fences and cages, took our dogs for a walk every morning and afternoon, cut, painted and nailed, helping us to renovate our dog shelter so it would be beautiful and ready for winter. There was not a day without her welcome and considerate presence.

And when she was leaving, she stepped up to help us once again, adopting two of our kittens who needed a home. Thank you, Ute! We are grateful for your generous soul and selfless service to others, including animals in need.

Sterilization program completed with success

Our two-day sterilization program on the 3rd and 4th of November has been a great
success. Over fifty-six cats -thirty females and twenty-six males- are now unable to
increase the number of feral kittens in the areas of Agiali, Chora and Katapola and
they are all in good health and have been released back into their home turf.

We want to thank Dr. Manolis Vorisis and his wife Nikoletta Delasouda for their
amazing work and for the kindness and generosity with which they have donated
their expertise to the feral cat colonies of Amorgos.

We also want to thank Mr. Michael Koveos for his generosity in providing accommodation for our two vets in his Anna Studios Pension.

The Municipality of Amorgos has been a great partner in this program as has the
local animal welfare association, “Filozoiki Merimna of Amorgos” and its many
volunteers as well as those wonderful residents of Amorgos who helped in this
important project sponsored by Animal Zone International.

And we have committed to another program to be held in March.

Our wonderful team, from left to right, Nikoletta Delasouda, Anna- Maria Markentoudi, her daughter Melina, Hariklia Psaki, Dr. Manolis Vorisis and Litsa Passari.

Little Melina was a great partner in helping to care for the cats after their surgeries.

Help us help the dogs of AZI

Many of our recent posts are about our cats and our cat projects. Now we would like to tell you about three sweet dogs in our care.

With the help of the Municipality of Amorgos we are preparing a temporary kennel for the dogs who have come to stay with us.

Bob, Akira and Arangon were living in an area far from our Center. Their kennels were in serious need of repairs and so, with the help of the Municipality of Amorgos, we were able to move them closer to our Center and greatly improve their living quarters.

Bob, one of the three dogs in our care. Click on the picture to read his story

The Municipality has provided us with an enclosure in Katapola where we have begun to clean the area, expand the fencing, cement the grounds and soon we will spread gravel so that the dogs will stay dry in their shelters and free from mud in the rainy season. Finally, the Municipality will give us trees and plants to help shade the animals during the intense summer heat.

The total cost of this project will be 800 euro and, since we are a non-profit organization, we rely entirely on donations in order to achieve our goals.

Won’t you consider becoming an angel to these dogs in need and make a donation to help keep them safe and healthy. Or, even better, consider taking one of these beautiful creatures, for, they are available for adoption.

We need your support. Please Donate. Even one euro is valuable to us and to the animals in our care. We are so grateful to have many online friends. If each friend gave only five euro we would be able to complete our kennel project and continue our struggle to care for the animals of the island of Amorgos.

Spay/Neuter Program Continues

AZI continues with its ongoing spay/neuter program for feral cats in Amorgos. Last week 105 cats sterilized (59 females and 46 males) the Aegiali area. We'd like to thank Dr. Angeliki Degleri, her sister Dr. Gina Degleri, Dr. Antonio Sessa and all the other volunteers who help AZI with the project.

Save the Date!

SAVE THE DATE! 

We are planning an extra-exciting fundraising dinner on June 21, 2015: Leonardo's Dinner. Put it in your calendars! Hope to see you there. Click here to read more about it.

Sterilization Program

In February, during the week of Feb 9th, AZI conducted another one of our spay/neutering programs on Amorgos. We were hoping to do about a hundred cats but the weather worked against us, with four of the six days being very stormy, full of strong winds, rain and hail.

Catching cats in the rain is a huge challenge as you can imagine, yet we managed to catch and sterilize 68 cats (36 females and 32 males), with only 25 cats coming from Aegiali. That is a success considering the difficult conditions. We'd like to acknowledge Dr. Alice Degleri and Litsa Passari for their the hard work & dedication to the program. Thank you!  

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.  

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!