A beautiful hawk with a broken wing was found by an elderly couple in their garden. They called Dr. Despoti, who was driving around the island with Paola looking for colonies of stray cats. In less than an hour, the hawk was found, treated, and prepared for a journey to Paros, five hours away. Will it survive the journey? Will it be fit to be treated at the Wild Bird Sanctuary? Good news arrives that evening. The hawk survived the overnight crossing. Two days later the news is even better: the hawk can be cured, its wing will heal. After a period of recovery in Paros, it will be returned to Amorgos where it will be released into the wild.
Paola the Mare, Our Latest Addition
Paola the Mare
Sept 2010 — Responding to a call for help from members of the new animal association (PMAA), this summer AZI became aware of the tragic existence of a mare, donkey and mule, owned by a shepherd but not cared for by him. They lived without shelter, not enough food, insufficient water, and with their legs tied tightly together (see photo). It upset a tourist from Athens so much that he notified the police and pressed charges, but without any consequence.
Mule with legs tied
That justice is being sought is significant; however, these animals require immediate attention, especially the mare. We have learned that the donkey and mule were bought by a local shepherd and unfortunately, we are unable to locate them at this time. As for the mare, with the help of the Mayor, the owner was persuaded to sell the mare to the newly formed animal association.
AZI has pledged the money for her purchase and upkeep, and she will be kept on land offered by the Mayor. AZI is financing the construction of a fence and shelter for her. We hope to save and purchase other horses, mules and donkeys (which, incidentally, are now an endangered species on the island, due to mistreatment). Most of these animals are abandoned, castaway as unfit for work, in the middle of nowhere, with no food, no water, and with their legs tied together to restrict their movement.
Paola the Mare - Update
Paola the Mare and her new fence
Dec 2010 — A fence has been constructed for Paola and she is being cared for by our vet, Dr. Despoti. However, there are still a couple of missing items before she can be safe and sound in her new home. First, as the winter is soon approaching, we are urgently planning and preparing to build a shelter/stable for her in the fenced-in area. The stable will hold up to 4 animals and will have storage space for hay. Second, in order to get hay for Paola, it must be ordered and shipped from Athens, a costly expense. We are working furiously to raise funds to cover these very important needs.
Abandoned Puppies
Kouros
Zo
Oct 2010 — In September, three tiny puppies were found, abandoned in a parking lot in Katapola. Members of PMAA, the new animal society, took them in and are caring for them. Our new vet Dr. Despoti has given them a check-up and will be vaccinating them as soon as they are ready for them. We would like to find homes for them as soon as possible. In fact, one already has been adopted to someone on Amorgos. The other two (pictured below) will be listed for adoption with our friends in Holland. If all goes well, we hope we will soon be filling out passport applications for the pups to travel to their permanent homes!
Bios and His Mother
Bios when he first arrived
Bios and his mother
August-September 2010 - During the month of August Bios' mother brought him to the garden of Animal Society co-founder Manolis and left him there. Bios needed immediate attention: swollen belly, infected eyes, parasites, etc. His mother comes back daily to check on him and play with him. One eye was saved and his general welfare is improved immensely.
Johnny Depp
September 2010 - This is the story of Johnny Depp. In 2009 when he was a few days old, Johnny Depp was found in a garbage bin by Vangelizza, one of the founder of Philozoic Merimna Association of Amorgos (PMAA) and a driving force behind the movement and its organization. Named after Vangelizza greatest love, he responded with great enthusiasm to the requirements of his role. He is now a happy member of the Azi family.
Pocopico, Greek for "Cheetah" (Tarzan's monkey)
Pocopico wasfound outside Chora's town hall. He was brought to Sophocles Prekas, one of the founding members of the local animal association, whose reputation for caring is known throughtout the island. Now cleaned, vaccinated and properly nourished, Pocopico is now beginning to enjoy his life and the company of his friends.
Another Throwaway Kitten Rescued by AZI
August 2009 - At the end of August the man who collects garbage found another newborn kitten in a can in Kato Meria and called AZI’s volunteer for help. This one was 1 week old, with eyes still closed and hopefully will make it just fine like the other three ones.
Dewey, Huey and Louie
Dewey, Huey and Louie (all female) were found in a garbage can in the area of Rachidi when they were only 1 day (!) old—their umbilical cords were still on them. One of AZI’s volunteers took them in her house and did her best to keep them alive. She followed the veterinarian’s orders on how to bottle-feed them every 2 hours, how to take care of their closed eyes so that they wouldn’t get infected, and how to keep them clean, warm and safe. Her efforts was a big success, as now all 3 cats are now 2 months old, can eat by themselves, and are very healthy, active and playful.