SOS - Evacuation!!!!!!

This was the worst day of our life!!!  Tuesday 16th October.  Never in a million years did we ever think our beloved strays would have to move.  These are our babies, some have already moved, I just don't get it anymore.  Why are people so cruel?  

Desperate help is needed for all our beloved 50+ pussycats, otherwise we will be left with no alternative, but to consider putting them to sleep.  Some might find this a very cruel decision, but if we cannot look after them ourselves and we have no other place for them and we don't find homes for them within the timescale, then they will be poisoned!!!!  

We had to move all our strays from the village 2 years ago, due to the cruelty displayed by neighbours.  At the time there wasn't a single soul to help and nothing has changed.   We did what we could and moved them to safety, or so we thought.  An area of total paradise, which to date we have always referred to as our sanctuary.  However, the only neighbour adjacent to this place lives in Athens and visits periodically.  Today he gave the ultimatum.  All the strays must go, as he thinks we are breeding them.  He asked why we don't feed starving children, instead we feed stray cats. He complained that there are many little ones.  Yes there are many new little ones, but this has been as a result of SOS cases in Athens and the island of Poros.  He said the cats wander onto his land and hiss at him.  How very sad!!!!  Now we know what has happened to the ones that have gone missing.  We have lost 7 kittens in the space of 6 weeks.  They don't just vanish.  Sadly we have no proof or any evidence to support our concerns.  He has threatened to report us to the police, why I have no idea.  It is not a crime or against the law to feed feral cats.  

Our pussy cats, were all rescued as horrible stray feral cats, but we have turned them into little beauties.  So friendly and so loving.  We have done so much for animal welfare in the short time we have lived here.  It has cost us thousands and everything has come out of our own pocket. Now we have one month!!!!  My faith has never been so strong and where the heck can one go for help, when many charities are inundated with pleas for animal rescues themselves.  The clock is ticking, the days are numbered and if no help comes, then we are really not sure what will really happen to them.

Even Lucy the dog, who is their protector is at risk too.  She just loves the cats, the cats love her and now they all have to be split!!!  It is so unfair.  Words alone cannot describe the pain we feel and what we are going through right now.

SURPRISE....Box of goodies for the strays

There are some really kind people, and my sincere grateful thanks go to a wonderful person by the name of Katharina Berlin, who sent this wonderful box of goodies for the GreekSTRAYS.  It is amazing, that through social networking, one meets some wonderful, kind thoughtful people.

This is BILLY, a rescued stray, who is an indoor cat and lives with us.  There is a story to tell about why he lives inside, but like always, he had to get his bottom in the box and sniff out all the goodies.

Oh BILLY and PAMPOUSHKA want to play with toys, before this box is taken to the GreekSTRAYS.

Here we have BILLY and LEO having a right good old sniff about.  No doubt they think they are missing out on some of these goodies.  But as indoor cats, they have everything, sheer luxury to say the least.

The GreekSTRAYS would like to say thank you so much to Katharina Berlin for her kind box of goodies.

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797
http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations

Cat Neutering

Early September, 34 cats were neutered over a seven hour period.This brings our total to approximately 400 to date.  It is sheer hard work, but very rewarding. It helps the cause of finding unwanted kittens in bins and keeps the strays in better condition.  We have to start a few days before, which is the only way we can succeed.  Getting up at 4 am and trying to trap some of the feral cats, can be frustrating.  It is like the cats know what is going on.  They walk into the traps, eat the food and walk out again.  We sit patiently and just wait and wait and wait.  In an ideal world, it would be easier to befriend them months before, but this is not always possible.  Not only is there the early morning catching to do, there is the releasing of the cats back to the colonies, scrubbing the equipment, cleaning and much more.  

http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-neutering
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays?ref=hl
http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays

Angel and Charlie - UPDATE

What a difference one month makes.  Found 23 July '12 and being in our care, has transformed them.  Absolutely gorgeous.     HOMES ARE WANTED. Can you help?  elaine1156@gmail.com

New arrivals - HOMES WANTED

Today driving to feed the strays, ahead I noticed something small run across the road.  Whatever it was had little legs, so I knew it wasn't a large rat.  We drove a little further and stopped where I thought I saw this 'thing'.  I heard a ME-OW, so food was put down at the side of the road.  Out came this tiny little kitten.  But a little further up another white kitten came out.  Neither got a chance to eat the food, as it was a case of grab, hold tight, into the car and away we go.  The white one could not be held, so it hide somewhere in the car. The tabby coloured one was OK.  Took to safety and they will be kept in a cage for a couple of days, until they settle.  However, considering this was their first day, Lucy (dog) approves of these two new arrivals.    HOMES WANTED. Can you help to rehome?  elaine1156@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797
http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations

Goodbye Junior

In February this year, little Junior was brought to be neutered.  He was much too small, barely less than 8 weeks old.  He cried all the time and our hearts went out to him.  We couldn't allow him to be taken back, so we decided to keep him and take him to join our strays.  He settled in very nicely and was always with you.  Wherever you went, Junior followed.

Sadly today, we found him dead.  There was such a horrible smell in the field and we knew it was an animal of some sort.  Looking under a tree, there was Junior.   He appeared so huge and swollen, so I am not sure cause of death.

Junior was so loving and always wanted a cuddle and noses' rubbing.  How or why he died we will never know.  RIP little fella.  You are now at Rainbow Bridge with all the other furry friends, waiting.

Dying dog - reality of living in Greece

This weekend was a terrible time for a friend of mine and her poor dog., The previous Monday, my friend had her dog sterilized by the local vet, agreed and paid for, by the local charity as it was a stray dog..  By Wednesday, the dog must have been frantic and had pulled all the stitches out, which meant the dog had to go back to be re-stitched.  One would thing that once would be enough for a sterilization.  It seemed that the second stitches had been done too tightly, but the vet didn't appear too concerned.  However on the Friday, the owner noticed the skin tearing close to the stitches.  She was alarmed so she called the vet again, but a family emergency changed everything. Her husband was admitted into intensive care which was devastating news.  She couldn't go with him, because of the sick dog, so her daughter stayed at the hospital with her father, whilst my friend tried frantically to get treatment for the dog.  

On the Saturday morning, the situation became far worse with the dog.  She was bleeding badly and her intestines were hanging out.  Gosh this must have heartbreaking to see this and also must have been hugely painful for the poor doggy.  If treatment wasn't found immediately the dog would die.  She contacted me and I gave her the numbers of a couple other vets who she might wish to try.  Living within this area, we don't have a choice for vets.  There are only 2 covering a large area.  One qualified a couple of years ago, the other highly experienced with large farm animals, but now performing care for smaller animals.  She left many messages for the vet who performed the surgery and all he could suggest was to put a tight compressor around the wound until Monday.  I could not believe that this was the attitude towards a dying dog.  Equally he didn't respond to any of her further text messages either, but he was around, but choose to ignore this desperate situation.  If he couldn't attend, why didn't his brother visit?  Anyway she rang the other vet, who basically was in Athens. He would not be back until late in the evening, therefore was unavailable to help.  Further more, he implied that if he came, it will cost her, but anyway the dog will probably die during the night. I can't believe that professional people can even have attitudes like these.  

Sadly at 3 am on the Monday morning, the poor dog died.  I cannot even say peacefully, as the dog will have been in horrific pain.  In England, an investigation would have been immediately conducted, but this is Greece and one just doesn't bother and no action will be taken against the vet. Startling though, I have since learnt that this is not the first time a dog has died as a result of sterilization from this particular vet.  With this, I now question the competencies of this qualified vet.

Having your husband admitted into intensive care and having a dying dog to deal with must have been horrific.  The pain and heartache my friend went through, sadly there are no words to describe these feelings.  I tried to help where I possibly could, but I don't speak the language. However, I am so sorry that I could not have done more.  The dog should not have died.  The vets have a duty and responsibility.  Sadly they choose to ignore the urgent plea.  Now I have no trust in either of these vets.