Aegina Animal Rescue Groups

Until one has loved an animal, 
a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
(Anatole France)

Lucy and Tzintzer Inspiration 

Living on a Greek Island by most people's standards is a description of Paradise. In many ways that's absolutely true. Crystal clear turquoise waters, pine covered mountains, welcoming tavernas, bustling kafeneios where friends gather for coffee. Bright coloured ferries criss crossing the sea. All true. But there's more.

There are thin and hungry cats pregnant several time a year, begging at tavernas and digging in waste bins. Dogs, chained and neglected. Puppies abandoned on the road to the shelter. Donkeys and horses, bones showing and no longer of "use"—abandoned.

Well meaning summer residents and tourists feed the cats and then leave them to find new sources of sustenance during the winter. The volunteers on the island supporting these three shelters are legion and selfless, often spending more on cat food for strays than their own groceries.

Volunteers trap the cats (gently) and take them to be neutered and released. Puppies are socialized, neutered and adopted out to matched families. Some dogs who have to remain at shelters are sponsored, which helps enormously to cover costs.

Over the years, Athan and I have hosted visiting vets and/or volunteers who give their time to the neutering or nurturing programs (always welcome Marlies); sponsored a dog; had help trapping a feral female who was overwhelming us with litters (thank you Kiki), and finally experience the joy of Lucy and Tzintzer (Ginger).

Lucy, pictured above, is my Havenese rescue. She started following me one December day. I posted a picture of this raggedly little moppet. Sandy, founder of ACC and friend, texted me that she knew the dog and that she'd been left on her own. The next time I went by, she was tied up. Forlorn. I guess someone had told the person responsible that she couldn't run loose anymore.

My heart broke when I saw her like that. The only good thing was her little ginger cat who curled up beside her and kept her company.

Today, thanks to Sandy, Elizabeth, Elena, Alexia, Jejo and others, Lucy and the ginger tabby, Tzintzer are now family. 

While Athan and my focus has been on high phenolic olive oil as supplement for people, we soon decided that our beloved cats and dogs suffer aches, pains, nutritional deficits, and growing old as we do. 

How could we introduce Aristoleo+ Pet without thanking everyone who contributes to the welfare of animals on Aegina Island and asking those we reach to give generously to these most worthy communities. 

"Love with a Purpose"

A portion of sales from Aristoleo+ Pet go to support these worthy agencies.

Please read through the stories and choose which one(s) grab your heart and donate generously—or sponsor an animal with monthly donations. How about adopting? I speak from experience when I say your life will be enriched by giving a dog or cat (or both) a second chance.  

Vrouva Farm

"Different species, one caring community"

Vrouva Farm is a small farm sanctuary on the island of Aegina; a safe haven for old, abandoned and abused animals.

It is home to pet and domestic animals as well as a few volunteers. It survives thanks to an international community of committed animal lovers, some of whom live in Aegina and volunteer regularly at the farm.

Vrouva was born when a few animal lovers decided to transform a piece of private land into a haven for animals rescued from neglect, starvation and abuse. Most of our animals are rejected from the animal agriculture business as too old, sick or non-profitable for some reason

Today, over 100 domestic and pet animals live in Vrouva that people abandoned, abused or simply could not maintain anymore. We try to find new families for the few of our animals which are adoptable and support the ones that can live a better life with us on the farm.

Ecology, non-violence, veganism and the lessons that our animals teach us are our guiding principles to help us overcome conflict, financial difficulties, social prejudices and the pain of knowing the hardship these beautiful creatures have endured.

We raise awareness of speciesism, veganism, and animal rights, and provide an example of how to live in harmony with the natural world. 

Normally, farm sanctuaries do not take in cats and dogs. We do because there is such a great need on our island but our focus is primarily on farm animals

Our aim is to give them the peaceful life they deserve.

Despite climate collapse, rising temperatures and the risk of fire in the pine forest that embraces us, we keep our optimism and promise to fight for animals in need.

We have horses and donkeys as well as rabbits, goats, sheep, pigeons, pigs and chickens

They are our friends and our teachers.

We believe that by serving them we might find a new, more sustainable way to exist on our planet where we treat animals as equals and not as lesser beings which we can torture, murder and confine to a life of misery.

For more information about our farm click the link to: "Vrouva Farm in the Media" 

You can support Vrouva Farm by adopting, sponsoring or donating:

Alpha Bank, Friends of Vrouva Farm
GR57 0140 1610 1610 0200 2018 834

 

Aegina Cat Care (ACC)

Aegina is home to almost as many cats as humans.

These, mostly unowned, cats are related to the cats of Ancient Egypt with their own special beauty and friendly, curious character. 

In such large numbers our island cats can fall prey to disease and hunger. ACC, Aegina Cat Care is an official charity.

We believe that the best way to care for our much loved island cats is to keep their numbers down. Our main aim is to trap, neuter and release as many island cats as possible. When we have funding to pay the vets, as many as thirty cats can be neutered every week.

ACC has a small but dedicated team of unpaid volunteers who work tirelessly to help keep our cat population to a manageable size. If you would like to help us in our work please consider making a donation - any amount, no matter what its size, is welcome.

There is a PayPal donation button on our ACC site at… https://www.aeginacatcare.org/

You can also follow us and see what work we do on our public FaceBook page, simply search for ACC – Aegina Cat Care.

Why not join the almost one and a half thousand members already following this site?

Your donation will help us show our love for the island cats of Aegina by keeping their population down to a manageable size.

IBAN : GR 45 0172 1240 0051 2411 6719 192 Swift - BIC : PIRGBAA

Or donate using PayPal @ catcareaegina@gmail.com

Questions? aeginacatcare@gmail.com

Animal Protection Aegina Agistri (APAA)