Friends of Animals / Filozoikos NF

Lambrini is now BIANCA, she is Italian!

Lambrini is a middle aged street dog. Living paw to mouth her whole life. Shaggy overgrown coat and not the nicest personality. She was aggressive to smaller females that crossed her path and often refused to walk back to her doghouse. We would have to leash a handsome young male and parade him in front of her to get to follow him back to her doghouse! BUT…this did not stop a visitor to the shelter from meeting her, (along with all the others) and deciding that she was the ONE. The one that captured her heart.

“I will return for her in a week and take her home with me to Milano, Italy” Suuuuuuure! If we had an adoption every time we heard that, we would have to close the doors due to emptiness.

Imagine my surprise when Big M. and I went yesterday to clean and repair the puppy pen to find Lambrini missing. I checked the cages to see if she had integrated into one of them. AWOL.

Then Kiki K. came and said that the Milano Woman returned and Lambrini was relaxing in her new Italian home after a luxurious boat trip filled with snacks and suntanning. I was floored. We had spent a week in Italy in August and we were so grateful not to see the street filled with strays.

From Milano to Venizia there was bus shelter billboards and telephone posters everywhere reminding people that abandonment of dogs was a crime and they would be arrested and jailed. Every dog we saw was attached to a collar, leash and owners hand. Not one stray to be found in any part of the 2 cities and 4 towns that we visited. None on on the highway, garbage dumps, or rest stops. Initially we were scared that there was a zero tolerance policy but after speaking with people at each of our stops we found out that the Italian government started a sterilizing and re-homing campaign 20 YEARS AGO! Shame on the Greek government and people for being so complacent.

The Italian people have endured the same wars and governments, pain and strife of the Greek people, but they obviously did not lose their humanity and compassion. Let’s take a lesson from across the water.

Tonight there is a protest against the pitbull breeder from Crete who performs his own ear cutting with household scissors, shoots them with air-pellet gun, and other abuses on his dogs to make them good fighters for sale. Please come and sign the charges and be part of what is hopefully a growing trend amongst the people of this country to make those guilty accountable. The government will not be able to ignore the cries of the animals if we continue to get in their faces for their shameful inaction on animal abusers in this country.

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2009
Time: 19:00 - 19:05
Location: ATHENS
Street: ΑΘΗΝΑΣ - ΔΗΜΑΡΧΕΙΟ (ΑΠΕΝΑΝΤΙ ΑΠΟ ΠΛ. ΚΟΤΖΙΑ)
Phone: 6973056265

www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=144892409160&ref=nf

Little Artemis

Little Artemis is sister to Athena (recently returned also) and daughter of Hera (still at the Shelter). Her only mistake was being adopted into a building with no dogs. After weeks of fighting, threats, and potential lawsuits, the neighbours of Artemis’ family decided that the puppy must go. Forced to make the hardest decision, her family brought her back to the Shelter last Sunday.

Athens, sister of Artemis

I have never witnessed such a hard return. The tears, pain and anguish felt by the couple and her mother, was gut wrenching. All they wanted was a dog to love but that was not possible in their home.

Hera, Artemis, Athena on their first day at the Shelter

www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=144892409160&ref=mf

ΜΙΛΗΣΑΜΕ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΑΜΕΣΟ ΔΡΑΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ ΔΙΩΞΗ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΟΥ ΕΓΚΛΗΜΑΤΟΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΝ ΜΑΛΑΚΑ ΠΟΥ ΕΚΟΨΕ ΤΑ ΑΥΤΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΣΚΥΛΟΥ. ΠΡΕΠΕΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΤΑΤΕΘΕΙ ΜΗΝΥΣΗ ΣΕ ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΚΟ ΤΜΗΜΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑ.

ΤΗΝ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ 17/09 ΕΛΑΤΕ ΟΣΟΙ ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΟΙ ΜΠΟΡΕΙΤΕ ΝΑ ΠΑΜΕ ΣΤΟ ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΚΟ ΤΜΗΜΑ ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΤΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΑΣ ΓΙΑ ΝΑ ΚΑΝΟΥΜΕ ΜΗΝΥΣΗ. ΠΡΕΠΕΙ ΝΑ ΕΧΟΥΜΕ ΜΑΖΙ ΤΙΣ ΤΑΥΤΟΤΗΤΕΣ ΜΑΣ.

<< ΟΣΟ ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΟΙ ΕΙΜΑΣΤΕ ΤΟΣΟ ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΑ >>

ΠΡΕΠΕΙ ΝΑ ΑΡΧΙΖΟΥΝ ΚΑΠΟΙΟΙ Ν ΠΛΗΡΩΝΟΥΝ ΓΙΑ ΑΥΤΑ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΝΟΥΝ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΕΤΙΚΑ ΔΕΝ ΠΡΟΚΕΙΤΑΙ ΠΟΤΕ ΝΑ ΑΛΛΑΞΕΙ ΤΙΠΟΤΑ.
ΣΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΚΑΛΟΥΜΕ ΕΛΑΤΕ ΟΣΟ ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΟΙ ΜΠΟΡΕΙΤΕ.

<< ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΑΡΑ ΠΟΛΥ ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΟ >>

ΤΟ ΣΗΜΕΙΟ ΣΥΝΑΝΤΗΣΗΣ ΘΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΕΞΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΔΗΜΑΡΧΕΙΟ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΘΗΝΑΣ (ΑΠΕΝΑΝΤΙ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΠΛ. ΚΟΤΖΙΑ) ΣΤΙΣ 19:00. Ο,ΤΙ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ ΜΠΟΡΕΙΤΕ ΝΑ ΒΡΕΙΤΕ (VIDEO, PHOTOS, LINKS) ΦΕΡΤΕ ΤΑ ΜΑΖΙ ΣΑΣ.

ΣΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΚΑΛΟΥΜΕ ΠΑΡΑ ΠΟΛΥ ΜΗΝ ΑΔΙΑΦΟΡΗΣΕΤΕ. ΔΙΑΔΩΣΤΕ ΤΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΛΑΤΕ ΝΑ ΔΩΣΟΥΜΕ ΕΝΑ ΜΑΘΗΜΑ ΣΕ ΑΥΤΟ ΤΟ ΚΑΘΙΚΙ ΑΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΞΥΠΝΗΣΟΥΜΕ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΑ ΕΠΙΤΕΛΟΥΣ

<< ΑΝΕΒΑΣΤΕ ΤΟ ΣΤΑ ΠΡΟΦΙΛ ΣΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΥΚΛΟΦΟΡΗΣΤΕ ΤΟ >>

<< ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΑΡΑ ΠΟΛΥ ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΟ >>

ΤΗΛ.. ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΣ : 2109513960 - 6972622090

We spoke to POLICE AND ELECTRONIC CRIME PROSECUTION about the guy who cut off his dog’s ears. Lawsuit must be filed in police stations and security.

ON THURSDAY 17/09 please all come with us to the Police Department of OMONIA AND Electr. Crime Department (ALEXANDRAS). and bring your IDs with u.

<>

People who do such things must pay otherwise nothing is going to change.

<< PLEASE COME AS MANY AS YOU CAN >>

<>

THE MEETING POINT WILL BE OUT OF THE HALL IN ATHENS (across KOTZIA SQ.) AT 19:00.
WHATEVER INFORMATION YOU CAN FIND (VIDEO, PHOTOS, LINKS) Bring THEM WITH YOU.

PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS EVENT .
WE INVITE YOU TO COME AND TEACH THEM A LESSON AS WELL AS AWAKEN THE POLICE.

<>

<>

TEL. CONTACT: 2109513960

Almost every morning, the email at FZNF has at one email that puts me in a bad mood. This is today’s. This is the hot Facebook topic as of yesterday but the boy put his name, location, mobile number on the ad. Surely someone in Crete can call the authorities to ask whether he is a registered breeder or is licensed to make animal surgeries. If not, then have him arrested. Call the Hellenic Veterinary Association and report that he is practicing vet medicine without a license. Think people! Saving animals is a DIY (Do It Yourself) operation in Greece!

Yannis Kantiros, from Hania Sfakia in Crete in this picture.

Hello FZ,

There are photos on Facebook of how this man who is selling this dog, cut the puppies ears himself, the owner posted and boasted of cutting the ears off, the photos show bleeding dripping ears of the white puppy. He is now selling it, but i think he should be reported for animal cruelty. I can get you a copy of the photo if you want!

**************
Hello V,

While we sympathesize and condemn the actions of such people, this form is to be used for people wishing to adopt, foster, or help our Shelter in some way. Actual ‘get off your ass’ and help the dogs/cats in Athens kind of assistance.

If you have witnessed a crime, phone the police and make a report. This is your responsibility not mine. But then you have not witnessed a crime, you merely looked at photos on a webpage and jumped on the finger-pointing bandwagon. Photographic evidence cannot be used in a Greek court of law. The offender must be caught in the act of committing a crime (preferably by a police officer) and I doubt in Greece it is against the law to cut the ears off of a dog - with this breed of dog it is probably seen as necessary and cosmetic.

Although I do not know you personally and you should not take offence but I get up every morning to these “DO SOMETHING” emails. I do what I can with what I have to fight my battles, not yours.

I have been volunteering full-time at the Shelter for a year now and have learned that what happens on Facebook tends to stay on Facebook because the thousands of animal loving people who are on there and in our Groups tend to be ‘clickers’ and not actual ‘doers’. Name callers, blame throwers, and busy bodies with nothing better to do. Of our actual members, about 6 really come to the Shelter and help. So excuse me if I do nothing regarding your information besides tell you to deal with it yourself. When the 70 dogs in our Shelter are fed, medicated, washed, and adopted to good homes, we will have the time to start looking into other peoples business.

There will always be cruelty in this country. You need to get out there, join a real live group that is on the streets rescuing and healing, get into the schools to educate, and raise funds to help those that need it the most. At the end of the day you will feel much better about yourself and the world because you ACTUALLY did something to help.

********************
Call Yannis on his mobile to voice your concern about his actions:
http://poleitai.slando.gr/athina/pitbull_P_13554184.html

From S.

My 2 cats last week nearly got killed by poison which I was told to use for their fleas. A big mistake
of the vet and as well the pet shop. I thank BAYER for emergency phone advice that they survived. The vet told me a medicine which has Permethrini and it is deadly for them.

Hello Everyone,

As you know our shelter is at double capacity - we have 30 dogs inside and 30 dogs living outside on the trees. This extra workload has become too much for our cleaning and she has not had a day off for well over a month and is nearing exhaustion.

We would like to give her this week-end off but we know she will only stay home if she is sure that we have good people looking after her dogs.

I need to put together 4 teams of 4 people to clean the two days. If you can pour dog food and haul water bowls to the 30 outside dogs, I need to hear from you! On each team we need 1 poop picker-upper (only for inside dogs, outside cleaners use the rake for the poop) and will provide gloves, etc.

Schedule and who is signed up so far:

Saturday morning: 9am - approx. 12Noon (Vol H, Vol M, Vol J)
Saturday evening: 5pm - approx. 8pm (Vol S)

Sunday morning: 9am - approx. 12Noon
Sunday evening: 5pm - approx. 8pm (Vol S, Vol H)

If you can help during any of these times, please call me at 699-591-7437!

Thank you so much for considering joining us this weekend.

http://www.friendsofanimals-nf.com/WagAThonTeamKAZShelter.html

Hello Everyone,

Every person that clicks on ATTENDING to the Wag-A-Thon Facebook invite receives the following email:

Thank you for making the decision to support the 1st Annual Wag-A-Thon walkathon for the dogs/cats in Greece. This is fantastic! Our Shelter will donate 25% of our Wag-A-Thon proceeds to other animal rescue groups in Greece.

Please send me an email with answers to the following questions on how you will be participating:

1. Will you be a WALKER in the Wag-A-Thon?
2. Will you be creating a TEAM with your co-workers or friends?
3. Do you wish to PLEDGE to support any of the Walkers/Teams?
4. Does your company or organization wish CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP details?
5. Do you have ITEMS to donate for the RAFFLE PRIZES?
6. Do you wish to VOLUNTEER at the Wag-A-Thon?
7. Do you want to help but cannot decide the best way to do this?

I look forward to receiving your replies and getting you started participating at this years most fun doggie event in Athens! I can answer any questions that you have and assist with the forms and registration.

This morning I received this email from one of the Attendee’s:

“Thank u for your mail I was a bit busy and I haven’t looked at it yet. Right now my answer on 1-7 is No but I will have a closer look this week! I wanted to express my support by becoming a fan at face book but I am not sure yet whether I can commit time or funds.”

I am sure that anyone who tries to coordinate events using Facebook and other social networking groups can understand my frustration at this reply! I actually put together an event for the Shelter earlier this year that had 96 confirmed Attendees and 4 showed up. How much preparation and money could have been saved if everyone had just been honest with their intentions? The event would have been canceled or postponed and we would have moved on.

I replied to this friend of animals with the following:

Hello,

I do not mean to offend but becoming a friend on Facebook is really doing nothing at all the strays in Athens. Having a group on Facebook with many members does not impress the local municipality or police into catching poisoners and abusers, stop people from throwing their dogs into the street, or make pharmaceutical companies donate vaccinations and medicines.

What large Facebook groups of people (who cannot commit time or funds) does do is give us false hope. Hope that these people joined to actually make change and not just give superficial support by clicking. Clicking is meaningless.

We would love our groups to be filled with people who can find a few hours or 25e per month to actually make change in a country that is gaining a horrible worldwide reputation for abuse and apathy.

In our hearts of hearts, we all have extra time and funds but what we choose to spend them on is entirely up to us. For example, I am married to a Greek husband (who works full-time), we have 2 hyperactive rescue dogs and 4 cats in our house, I own/operate 2 online businesses with 12 sales agents, but I MAKE the time to visit the shelter at least 1 time each week and volunteer at least 4 hours per day to the Cause. We also have a jar in the kitchen that all the 1e coins go into each day and then we donate those each month.

So, I plead with you, be a real friend of animals in Athens. Look at your schedule and wallet and make a small positive change that benefits the strays. It will feel really good and at the end of the day and you will see that what you gave up to make it happen, probably was not so important in the first place!

Best wishes and best hopes.

Kiki K. wrote me this morning:

It was a year ago, in the first days of your involvement with Filozoikos that you helped me to vaccinate a young black dog, found in the yard of the building of the municipality police. We named him Joey, after a dog you once had, remember? (I remember! My first work on the street and I was scared to hold him while Kiki stuck him with the vaccines!)

Joey disappeared the very next day. We heard about him many days later.

He had gone to Heraklion Square and lived there with the other dogs of the area. As his collar proved that he was registered in N.F. the friends of animals of Heraklion brought him back in the central square of our town. The people who were feeding him there, called him Lefterakis.

He lived in the NF central square since last October and is one of the dogs that were poisoned last week. He was lucky because he escaped death and was recovering in our shelter. Yesterday, a couple came to our shelter for adoption and chose Lefterakis.

He is going to change name for the third time. He will be called Rex, but who cares?

A story with happy ending.

This week Kiki K. and the other Shelter founders hit the street with medicine, vaccines, and collar tags for the street strays of Nea Filadelphia. This is an annual task of maintaining the health of the street dogs, recording new dogs, and taking any sick dogs to the vet for care. It is an incredibly costly task - this year it is estimated to cost at least 2,500e. The money was borrowed and we hope to recoup these funds during our Fall Bazaar & Wag-A-Thon scheduled for October 10/11th.

Kiki K. and member of the public vaccinating

The adult Maltese in the photo will be brought to the Shelter on Monday for a Shave & Shampoo before being released back to his street.

A very Dirty Boy!

We have some newcomers to the Shelter:

Little Mata

Baby Hewi, 1 year, 7 kgs

Female, 4.5 months, house trained. Lost?

There were no adoptions this week.