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!

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.

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On his first day

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After treatment and a bath

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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!”

The Rescue of Two Dogs

Two young dogs, each living in his own misery of appalling neglect and horrific conditions, were recently rescued by AZI. We are happy to report that they are now both safe and well. Once they become accustomed to their new lives, we will be putting our effort towards finding them the caring homes which they greatly deserve. Here are the stories of Canellos and Feevos.

Canellos

For over a year, Canellos was tied up on a short chain inside a small, unsanitary, fenced-in area with only a couple of rusty barrels for shelter. On the twelfth of February, by order of the Prosecutor of the Court of First Instance of Naxos, Animal Zone International was given the legal right to remove Canellos from these dire circumstances.

Canellos had received no affection from an owner who had condemned him to a life of isolation and misery, but, he is a young dog, only sixteen months old, and in spite of the fact that he was frightened of our touch when we first rescued him, he is learning to accept caresses from loving humans and to play and run as he gains strength and trust.

Canellos has his whole life ahead of him and we are eager to find this sweet pup a loving home.

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Feevos

Feevos was kept in a dark warehouse filled with litter and reeking of filth for over a year. As with Canellos, by order of the Prosecutor of the court of First Instance of Naxos, this imprisoned young dog was given the legal right to be rescued by Animal Zone International.

We brought him to our Center, fed him and washed from him a year’s worth of dirt, and then took him for his first walk in the beautiful springtime of Amorgos. Feevos was beyond joy, running back and forth between the flowers and trees and plants, filled with wonder at the sight of the sea and the other animals that he met on that first walk. We know this young dog will have a long and healthy life filled with affection and safety.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude to the Prosecutor of the Court of First Instance of Naxos. Her professionalism and dedication is helping to give grace to the lives of members of our animal kingdom.

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To see videos of how far they have come, visit our YouTube playlist by clicking here.

How can you help Canellos and Feevos, you ask? If you are able to welcome them into your family, please contact us to inquire about adoption. But we know that is not always possible, so a donation, large or small, will help us shower these two dogs with food and care, changing the trajectory of their lives from sadness to happiness. Donations will also help to cover adoption expenses which often include travel costs once we are able to find loving homes for them. If a donation is not possible, a wish for their health and well being is enough. Keep an eye out—an update with more information will be posted soon.

Ivan

Ivan lived alone for what must be about ten years of a very difficult life. His job was to keep his owner’s sheep from crossing the road. Indeed, Ivan was forced to be a kind of living fence.

Uncared for and underfed in order to keep him agitated and barking, Ivan’s lonely life was controlled by a man who had many times been accused of animal abuse.

For years, we at Animal Zone International did our best to rescue the animals who were kept in these miserable conditions but we were never able to successfully and legally remove them.

That is, until, finally, a responsible prosecutor who honors her role and her position in the community gave us the right to begin the rescue process.

In December 2019, Ivan was legally, but temporarily, delivered to the care of AZI by order of the prosecutor of the Naxos Court of First Instance. Eventually, the prosecutor was able to link old allegations of animal abuse to Ivan’s owner and issued a new order which allowed Ivan to be permanently in the care of AZI.

His owner may never again legally own another pet and we see this as a justification for the long struggle to save the many abused dogs who suffered and died in his care.

And now, for our dear Ivan, we hope that he will find a loving home to make up for those long unhappy years.

Introducing Frideriki

A few days ago, we welcomed a new donkey to our shelter. Her name is Frideriki and she is 30 years old. Her owner left Amorgos permanently due to health problems and unfortunately he won't be coming back. So Frideriki needed a new home. The only solution for her was to come to our shelter since, due to her advanced age, she can no longer work.

Welcome to our shelter sweet Frideriki!

MICHOS

A tiny kitten in great distress was rescued by Anna, our Volunteer in Chora, and brought to us at the Center in January.

Michos was frail and thin and suffered from many of the problems that cats born on the street are prone to, so many in fact, that we were not sure that we could save him. But Michos, this small miraculous fellow, not only survived but thrived and he has now fully recovered and is ready for adoption.

In March we will neuter Michos and we hope and pray that he will be adopted so that we do not have to return him to the place where he was found.

He is a sweet, sweet boy and clearly has great strength since he managed to come through a storm of neglect. Now, we hope that his sweetness and strength will find a loving home.

Please contact us if you are interested in welcoming into your family!

Mao

Mao, a blind cat who lived for years in Chora of Amorgos, was rescued by the owners of the Jasmine café-bar and by a young girl named Venia.

A few days ago, Venia found Mao lying in the street in agony after having been poisoned. Venia, with her two friends Christos and Despina, rushed to call us and ask for our help.

Mao was brought immediately to our clinic where extraordinary measures were taken and today, sweet Mao is purring again and asks for affection. This sweet and innocent creature was saved because someone cared, because three friends acted with kindness and generosity.

We give our thanks to Venia, Christos and Despina, and we feel blessed to have been a part of this beautiful moment. Venia will be back in her neighborhood, cared for by the owners of the Jasmine Café and by all those who have been touched by her story.

Koutco

When Koutco arrived in our Center this summer he was FIV positive and had already lost the vision in one of his eyes. Since the other eye was severely compromised, Koutco was struggling to survive on the streets but after an accident that left his front right leg paralyzed his future appeared bleak.

Lamia, the benevolent woman who took care of the colony in which Koutco was living decided to contact a friend in Holland and together, Lamia and Juliette, found a shelter for him in Belgium. This is a wonderful shelter and we have sent another cat from Amorgos, the handsome Plume, to find a home with them.

The people of Vzw Zwerfkat in Belgium do tremendous work with cats in severe need and we salute them and hope that you will visit their website https://www.zwerfkat.com. They have given Koutco a second chance in life and, now, he is looking forward to his true and loving forever home.

Aeneas

The morning and a parked car were hiding a pleasant surprise. We received telephone call saying that a kitten was hiding beneath a car and the owner of the car was unable to tempt the crying kitten out.

Once Litsa our coordinator arrived, with her knowledge of the language of cats, she began to meow and a baby boy came running out. Aeneas is a healthy long-haired boy with beautiful big blue eyes and he already shows signs of growing into a large and strong silvery grey adult.

It seems a pity to allow such beauty of live on the streets of Amorgos and, so, we are looking for a home for Aeneas. If you are interested, please, please contact us at: azi.amorgos@gmail.com

Update (10-18): Handsome Aeneas has found a forever home! He is living with a loving family in Athens. The daughter fell in love with him during a visit and the family couldn’t resist. We know them well and are so delighted that Aeneas will be with a caring family for the rest of his life. Updated photos are below.

The Rescue of Three Small Kittens

It is not always easy to tell the stories of our rescues. On the island of Aegiali there was initially a resistance to our sterilization program but we have carried on to great success.

Unfortunately there are still cats who give birth to unwanted kittens and a few days ago three small babies were abandoned in a garbage bin. By grace and good luck they were rescued by a kind man who heard their cries and brought them to our Center. Two small girls and one small boy are now safe and healthy and living in a foster home.

When they are strong and old enough to eat by themselves they will be available for adoption. Their little lives have now been saved and we wish for each one of them a safe and loving home.

A Seagull Rescue

Several days ago, we were contacted by two tourists who were swimming in the remote beach of Campi and who had discovered a seagull with a broken wing. Because they were not able to capture the frightened bird, we called Alkoni, the Aegean Wildlife Hospital in Paros and asked for their advice. Unfortunately, by that time, the bird had disappeared from the beach of Campi.

Days later the bird was finally captured by two men swimming at the Agia Anna beach. We were able to send the bird to Alkioni in Paros but unfortunately the news is not good. Miguel, as we now call him, must remain at the hospital along with fifty-two seagulls that also are unable to fly.

If Miguel is able to come back to Amorgos, one of our restaurants that is close to the sea must agree to feed this broken-winged bird and keep him close to the water that he loves so much.

Our appeal is that someone will adopt Miguel and even, perhaps, a few more of the birds who live at the Aegean Wildlife Hospital. It is great work that they do and they need help in this beautiful project that brings wounded and disabled birds back into their natural habitat. 

Rebeca

Rebeca was found alone on the streets of Chora by a very kind child. He saw Rebeca sitting in a corner unable to move because her both eyes were completely shut, struck by severe infection. He immediately pick her up and brought her to our Center.

After 1 week of treatment Rebeca is completely healthy and she plays non stop. Her little friend visited our Center in order to see her and he was very happy to see her fully healed.

See a video of her making her super-kitten moves—https://youtu.be/18TWLK_Bsxw

Rebeca is now available for adoption! Please contact us at azi.amorgos@gmail.com if you are interested. Or help us with her nutritional and medical needs by making a small donation in her honor https://tinyurl.com/Donate-AZI