Meet the rescued Greek strays who survived, and now have a forever home with us, and those we rescued and cared for that have now found new homes here in Greece and abroad. We also foster on behalf of our local animal society, as and when we can.

Sadly, it was just too late for some ... they were just too weak/poorly and passed away ... rest in peace my dear angels x

Good loving homes are often very difficult to find here in Greece. There are just so many strays. Sadly they are seen as 'vermin' by many, and are often treated as such... 

We now share our home with many of these beautiful cats and dogs. We have managed to re-home some, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to find people who are willing to offer a loving forever home to those in desperate need - many are disabled and have special needs, and/or long-term health problems. 

Abandoned kitten ~ Ouzo ~ Rescued August 2006















Ouzo was only 3-4 weeks old when we found her alone on a busy road in town. She was so tiny, very hungry and frightened. With lots of TLC she soon thrived. She's all grown up now and is a real character with lots of cattitude! 
She's such a sweetie though, a much loved member of our furry family.

Stray street dog ~ Happy ~ Rescued November 2006















Happy had lived on the streets in town for some time. We met him shortly after moving to Greece. He and a couple of other doggy pals used to beg food from the boating tourists on the harbour quay.
Even though he had endured such a tough life on the streets he always greeted you with a wag of his tail and would sit at your feet in the hope that you would have a little tasty treat for him.
We heard from locals that he had been beaten or kicked many times but still always sat happily, hoping that someone would be kind to him. The locals named him 'Happy'...
Happy has a loving home with us now. He's getting on a bit now and has some health problems but he's still such a happy lad.
Sadly, Happy's street dog pals were poisoned and killed shortly after Happy left the streets...

Ollie ~ Abandoned kitten ~ 10-14 days old ~ Rescued December 2006















Dear Ollie was only about 10-14 days old when he was found by friends in town. They called us as they didn't know what to do, he was so tiny, they didn't think he would survive.
We bottle fed him every hour initially and kept him warm, we really didn't think he would make it being so very small...
Ollie grew into such a big beautiful boy. We had two of the most wonderful years with him. Sadly we lost him shortly after his second birthday, he passed away during an operation after being very poorly.
Rest in peace my sweet boy xx

Abandoned puppy ~ Jesamine ~ Rescued April 2007













Jesamine was one of three young female pups, about 3 months old that were dumped at rubbish bins on a beach.
All were starving, covered in fleas and ticks and terrified. The smallest girl had a severe eye infection that needed treatment.
We cared for them all until new homes could be found. Jesamine stayed with us as she was such a nervous girl, it took a long time to build her confidence. Her sisters 'April' and 'May' now have forever homes here in Greece.

Orphaned kittens ~ Brothers, Ammie and Myphy - 2007













Little Ammie and Myphy were only a few weeks old when they lost their mum. Sadly she had been hit by a car and killed in a supermarket car park. Poor little boys stayed with their mum, too frightened to move...
They are all grown up now and enjoying life with the rest of their furry family here in Greece.

Stray street dog ~ Yonkie Boy ~ Rescued July 2007

Yonkie was a street dog who used to shelter in the doorway of a local supermarket. Many people were used to seeing him there, many ignored him though ... just another dirty stray to step over or complain about.
Street life was just too tough for him. He had lost so much weight and was very weak. He had also lost some of his fur and had open sores on his body.
We took him to the vets for a check up and blood tests. The results showed that he had a serious blood disorder, was anaemic and needed immediate treatment. He would also need medication and care for the rest of his life.
We cared for him at home, thankfully his condition improved with medication after a few weeks.
Yonkie Boy now has a lovely new home in Munich, Germany.

Abandoned kittens ~ Felix ~ Alfie ~ Georgia - 2008

A neighbour found three young kittens sheltering from the rain in their garage one winter. They asked us if we would take them, if not, they would take them into town and leave them beside the rubbish bins so they could scavenge for food...
Little Felix, Alfie and Georgia joined our furry family, they soon settled in and made themselves very much at home.
Sadly, Felix and Alfie have since gone missing... Georgia passed away...
Gone but never ever forgotten ... We miss them all so very much...

Abandoned puppy ~ Peanut - Rescued 2008

Peanut was only a few weeks old when he was dumped along with the rubbish at the bins. We saw him cowering at the side of the road, absolutely terrified, covered in fleas and ticks and very hungry.
We cared for him at home for a few weeks, he was very nervous of humans for some time but with lots of TLC, we slowly gained his trust and his confidence grew.
Peanut now has a lovely new home in Germany.

Abandoned puppy ~ Kaiser ~ Rescued March 2008















A friend called to tell us that they had seen a car slow down in front of them and dump a small puppy at the side of the road on a bad corner...
We found Kaiser shortly after, he was only a few weeks old, still in the same spot where he had been abandoned. Poor little boy was absolutely terrified, too scared to move.
Kaiser stayed with us and joined our furry family. He's a big boy now but so gentle and sweet natured - much loved by all.

Abandoned puppies ~ The two Lola's ~ Rescued July 2008



















These gorgeous girls were dumped at rubbish bins beside a road with their two litter mates at a few weeks old.
Sadly one of them had been hit by a car and killed when we found them...
The remaining three girls were far too young to have been taken from their mother. All were undernourished and very small and weak.
Shortly after we rescued them, Alpha, the smallest girl passed away...  R.I.P sweetheart xx
We cared for the remaining two girls at our home. A few weeks later a friend gave a home to one of them.
Lola (left pic) stayed with us as she was still very poorly. Thankfully she pulled through and is now a very happy healthy girl.
Our Lola's sister was also named Lola! It was so funny when our friend told us her name, we didn't know that we had both chosen the same name! 
So, a happy ending for the Lola sisters!

Abandoned kitten ~ Tianna ~ Rescued 03.06.09














We heard little Tianna before we saw her. We could hear a very young kitten crying in the distance, somewhere in an overgrown field behind our house. It took ages to work out approximately where she was, we had to listen and wait for her to cry. Eventually we found that she was hidden underneath a large overgrown bush and was not coming out anytime soon.
She was just too frightened to come out initially. We had to leave food for her and walk away.
We left food for her every few hours and would quietly talk to her so she could get used to the sound of our voices.
A couple of days later my husband finally caught a glimpse of her as she briefly came out to eat, she was only about 5 weeks old.
It took a few days to slowly gain her trust, she would come out to eat but would then disappear back under the bush.
My husband finally managed to rescue her after sitting in the field with her through the night, he coaxed her into the cat carrier and brought her home.
Her confidence grew once she realised she was safe and we weren't going to hurt her. She soon settled in and is now a very confident happy girl.

Stray kitten ~ Pixie Girl ~ Rescued 02.07.09














Little Pixie girl was found underneath rubbish bins in town. My husband had to chase a couple of dogs away as they were trying to get at a tiny terrified kitten hiding under the bin.
Pixie was rescued and taken to the vet as she had a couple of wounds where the dogs had got hold of her. She was also seriously undernourished and very weak. We really didn't think she would survive for long. The vet treated her wounds and we took her home for food and TLC, all we could do was hope and pray that she would pull through.
To our amazement Pixie did very well over the next few days and weeks, she was eating well and slowly gaining strength and weight, it was wonderful to see.
Pixie girl is all grown up now, a happy sweet natured little girl. Much loved by the rest of our furry Greek gang.

Abandoned dog ~ Rusty ~ Rescued 22.12.09














Poor Rusty was another dog that was abandoned at the rubbish bins. We found him curled up amongst the rubbish ... waiting...
He's a Greek hunting dog breed and was wearing a collar, we are sure someone just left him there...
He's an older dog, was very skinny and had very little energy, with many scars and was missing part of an ear. Perhaps he could no longer hunt so was thrown out, along with the rubbish...
We took Rusty home and cared for him until a good home could eventually be found. He now lives happily with his new owner here in Greece.

Abandoned puppy ~ Theo (Theodorous) ~ Rescued November 2009














Little Theo was yet another abandoned puppy, dumped at rubbish bins at about 3 months old.
He was very small for his age, undernourished and suffering from a skin condition. He had itchy sore bald patches caused by a flea infestation and flea bite allergy. 
With lots of TLC, Theo soon began to improve. He gained weight and his skin condition cleared up. 
He's grown into such a gorgeous boy and has such a sweet loving nature.
Theo is still with us, as yet we haven't been able to find a suitable home for him. He's a Greek mountain shepherd dog with lots of energy, he needs plenty of exercise and attention.

Blind stray kitten ~ Livvie (Olivia) ~ 01.01.10














Lovely Livvie was a town stray who was being cared for by friends, they asked if we could offer her a safe home, as they were unable to. Livvie was about 5 months old when she joined our furry family.
She's totally blind but has adapted very well, she's a happy friendly girl and has settled in really well with the rest of the furry gang, she is very close to Leo (below) They both joined our furry family at the same time.

Partially sighted stray kitten ~ Leo ~ 01.01.10















Little Leo was about 5 weeks old when he joined our furry family with Livvie (above)
He was left blind in one eye and has very limited sight in the other due to a severe viral infection that he most probably had at birth.
He's all grown up now and still has some eye problems due to flare ups caused by the virus but he copes very well and his poor sight doesn't hold him back in any way. He enjoys life, is full of energy and is very close to the rest of his furry family.

Abandoned puppy ~ Mr. Barker ~ Rescued 02.03.10














Little Mr Barker was only a few weeks old when he was dumped at the rubbish bins. Poor little boy was left alone at the side of a busy road...
He was very timid at first but soon gained confidence once he knew he was safe, he just wanted to be cuddled and loved.
We cared for him until a new forever home was found. He now lives with his new mum and dad and his best doggy friend, Callie (below)

Abandoned puppy ~ Callie ~ Rescued 05.03.10














Callie was also abandoned at rubbish bins shortly after Mr Barker (above)
We found her hiding underneath the bins after chasing two farm dogs away that had been trying to attack her. 
She was terrified after her ordeal, we had to carry her to our car, she was shaking with fear...
With lots of patience and TLC Callie's confidence grew and she became very good friends with Mr Barker. They are now very happy together in their lovely new home.

Abandoned kitten ~ Tasha ~ Rescued 21.08.10














Tiny Tasha was left on a friends doorstep in town, she was only 3 weeks old.
We were asked if we could help as she would need to be bottle fed.
We had to syringe feed Tasha initially as she wasn't able to latch on to the feeding bottle. We persevered with the bottle and she eventually got the hang of it.
Tasha thrived and was doing very well until she became very poorly at 10 weeks old. It was such an awful time, we really thought we were going to lose her.
Thankfully she pulled though, she's such a little fighter. Tasha is a happy healthy little girl, she's a much loved member of our furry family.

Disabled stray kitten ~ Ali Cat ~ Rescued 17.09.10














We first saw Ali underneath rubbish bins in a supermarket car park in town. We could see that he couldn't walk properly, he was shuffling around unable to straighten his back legs. 
We managed to catch him, we needed to take him to the vet in case his injuries were recent, we didn't want him to suffer alone on the streets any longer, he had endured so much already.
X-rays showed that poor Ali has suffered severe trauma to his lower spine consistent with a heavy blow from above, either by someone hitting him or having something dropped on top of him. He had received leg fractures and snapped tendons in both legs. He also had a severe internal infection beneath his lower spine, this had caused nerve damage and left him incontinent.
After weeks of treatment and lots of TLC Ali Cat is doing very well. The infection has cleared up and we've seen a slight improvement with his bowel control. Ali will always be disabled but he does have some mobility and is able to get around quite happily. He's such a character! Nothing seems to bother Ali, he enjoys life and doesn't let his disability hold him back.
Ali will always have a safe loving home with us. After all he's been through in his short life he so deserves the chance to be happy...

Update ~ June 2011
Sadly, Ali Cat has since developed further bowel/colon problems brought on by the damage to his spine. He will need spinal surgery to try to repair a dislocated vertebra that is compressing his spinal cord ~ See 'Ali Cat's Story' page.

Injured stray kitten ~ Hope ~ Rescued 16.11.10














Little Hope found us - She jumped into our open car boot while our car was parked. She had tried to hide, perhaps she was trying to find somewhere safe.
She had been hit by a car and had severe facial injuries. She has facial fractures, her right eyeball had ruptured and had been pushed back inside her head. A severe infection had set in as she had suffered the trauma days before.
She needed various meds to treat the infection and clean the wound. She then had an operation to cut away dead tissue and partially close the wound.
Hope has had to endure much pain and discomfort, she's been such a brave girl through it all.
Hope is all grown up now. Her wound has healed nicely, hopefully she's over the worst of it now. 
She's such a friendly affectionate little girl, she's settled in really well with the rest of the furry gang.

Very poorly stray kitten ~ Faith ~ Rescued December 2010














Poor little Faith was huddled in the road. At first we thought she had been killed but as we approached her we realised that she was alive but very poorly. She couldn't see as her eyes were stuck shut from a severe infection. She also had an upper respiratory infection, facial wounds and a broken tail.
She'd been too poorly to find food and hadn't been able to see anything, she was painfully thin and very weak.
Sadly Faith was just too poorly, she seemed to be responding to meds and had started to eat but she deteriorated very quickly and slipped into a coma. Faith passed away a few hours later...
We were just too late, the damage had already been done by the time we found her. She had suffered organ failure, most probably caused by prolonged starvation...
Faith didn't pass alone, we comforted her right to the end...
Rest In Peace sweetheart... Wish we could have found you sooner... xx

Injured stray kitten ~ Amber ~ Rescued January 2011














Little Amber was a town stray who was being cared for by a friend. She had a severe shoulder/leg injury and infection which needed surgery.
Amber is disabled as her shoulder is badly damaged, she manages very well though and is able to get around quite happily. 
We were asked if we could offer her a safe home as she is unable to live as an outside cat due to her disability.
Amber joined our furry family after she had her surgery. She settled in really well and is enjoying life with the rest of the gang.

Abandoned kittens ~ Jake, Josh and Jemma ~ Rescued 27.03.11

At only about 10-14 days old, these three poor little kittens were found inside a plastic bag in a rubbish bin in town by a kind man who heard them crying as he was just about to dump his rubbish. He took them home and cared for them until we received a call asking if we could help.
We offered to care for them until new homes can be found.
The smallest of the three, little Jake (top photo) was half the size of his brother and sister and was much weaker. He seemed to be doing ok but sadly three days later he passed away... We did all that we possibly could for him but he just wasn't strong enough to fight any more...
R.I.P little Jake. Sweet dreams xx 30:03:2011



Update: 12.12.11 - Josh and Jemma are all grown up and are very happy healthy kitties.




Update: Sadly we lost dear Josh in June 2013 - Sweet dreams Josh xx

Poorly stray/abandoned dog ~ Ruby ~ Rescued 08:04:2011

My husband first saw poor Ruby as he was driving through town, she had collapsed in the street and was being kicked into the road by teenagers...
Sadly people were just driving around Ruby as she lay in the road. My husband stopped to help her but the teenagers ran away.
Ruby was exhausted, starving and dehydrated. She was also very sore from being repeatedly kicked...
Ruby is a very poorly girl. She has an awful disease, Leishmaniasis, caused by parasites. At present there is no cure for this disease but with intensive treatment there is a chance of remission. We are hopeful that Ruby will respond well to treatment and have the chance to enjoy the rest of her life. She's a brave girl with such a sweet, gentle nature.
Ruby is 3-4 years old. Sadly she's going blind, the disease has already damaged her eyes. Her joints have also been affected, she limps when she walks but there is a chance that this could improve if the treatment is successful. 
Ruby has recently started a four month course of medication, she will then have blood tests followed by further medication if necessary. There is a possibility that she will need medication for the rest of her life.
So far, so good... Although it's still early days, Ruby has improved since she's been with us. It's wonderful to see her gaining confidence and looking much happier. She knows she is safe now and has settled in really well.

I will update on her progress...

Update June 2011 ~
Sadly, recent repeat tests have shown very high levels of parasites are still present. Levels have dropped slightly but not enough to stop the disease progressing.
Ruby is still undergoing treatment, she's a fighter, such a brave girl. She will have further tests in a few months time if she is still with us...
We are still hopeful that she can beat this awful disease...

Sadly, dear Ruby lost the battle and we had to let her go. She was put to sleep at home 23.09.11
She fought so hard but was just too poorly. We miss her very much, at least she was able to spend her last summer feeling loved and safe.
Sweet dreams dear Ruby-Doo xx

Stray/abandoned kitten ~ Talia ~ 5-6 weeks old ~ Rescued 08.09.11

We found this poor little girl on the road. She was in a very bad way, severely malnourished and suffering from heat exhaustion. She only weighed 300g and was full of worms and intestinal parasites. She had a severe infection which sadly did not respond to antibiotic treatment, she continued to lose weight despite eating well, the vet tried everything but dear Talia was just too sick...
She passed away 21.09.11  It was heartbreaking as through it all Talia so much wanted to live, she fought so hard but we we couldn't make her better...
Sleep well dear Talia. Miss you sweetheart xx

Stray feral kitten ~ Ellie ~ Rescued 27.09.11

We found Ellie scavenging for scraps of food around rubbish bins in the countryside. She was painfully thin - skin and bone, about 7-8 weeks old.
Being feral she was very wary of us and hid in the bushes but we soon managed to catch her, she was so hungry.
For the first few days she was very frightened of us and would hiss and spit, we gave her all the time she needed to get used to us and her new surroundings. She soon came round and it wasn't long before we could gently stroke her. Her confidence grew and she was happy to venture out and explore the house.

She is like a different kitten now! Confident, cheeky and very affectionate, it's wonderful to see.
We didn't have any problems at all introducing her to the rest of the furry gang, she settled in really well.





Photo update - Ellie - All grown up :-)








Abandoned puppy ~ Harvey ~ Rescued 29.10.11

Harvey - 5-6 months old was hit by a car after being abandoned on the road. He was a very lucky boy as he wasn't seriously injured, just very sore and bruised for a few days.
He was very skinny but soon started to gain weight after a few good meals.
We treated him for fleas, ticks and worms and he was soon feeling and looking much better.
Harvey left Greece for a new home in Germany just before Christmas 2011.
Be happy Harvey - miss you gorgeous boy xx

Abandoned puppy ~ Buddy ~ Rescued 10.11.11

Little Buddy - about 8 weeks old was also abandoned on the road. He was absolutely terrified when we found him, poor lad, he was so happy when we picked him up off the road and took him to the car, bless him.
He made friends with Harvey (above) straight away, they had great fun together.
Buddy was very timid initially but being with Harvey really helped build his confidence.
Buddy also went to a new home in Germany with Harvey.
Miss you Buddy boy xx

4 abandoned puppies ~ Molly - Milo - Misty - Milly ~ Rescued 16.12.11

We found these poor newborn puppies under a pile of rubbish at the bins, we heard them crying - they had been wrapped in an old burnt carpet that had been set alight...
Luckily the fire had gone out and all the puppies were still alive.
We rushed them home as they were cold and weak, we don't know how long they had been there - We needed to start bottle/syringe feeding straight away.

We were concerned about one of the puppies - Milly (bottom photo) she was much smaller and weaker than her brother and sister. Her weight gain was slow although she was feeding well. 
We knew that she would struggle but we lived in hope...
Sadly she passed away suddenly in her sleep 24.12.11
At least she was able to feel love and warmth before she died... Sweet dreams little Milly xx

Molly, Milo and Misty are all doing really well.
See 'Xmas Puppy Appeal' page for regular updates and photos.

These gorgeous pups now have new homes :-)





Stray/abandoned kitten ~ Lillia ~ Rescued 29.12.11

Another poorly kitten found huddled at the side of the road.
Lillia is somewhere between 6-8 weeks old - malnourished- suffering from a severe upper respiritory and eye infection.
She's been treated for fleas and worms and is on a course of antibiotics. Her eyes are being treated with eye drops.
She's eating well so hopefully she will start to feel better soon.
She's very friendly and is such a good girl, we have to clean her eyes and nose frequently, she holds still while we do it, bless her.

Update ~ 05.01.12 ~ Little Lillia is doing really well, she's looking and feeling much better already. Her chest is much clearer and she can open her eyes now. We need to continue with medicines and eye care for a few days yet but it's looking really good for this gorgeous little girl.

Lillia...
Update ~ 18.02.12 ~ Lovely Lillia has made a full recovery. She's done so well as she was a very poorly girl when we found her.