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Symi Animal Welfare
Starting Visitor
24 Posts |
 Posted - 05 February 2009 : 13:29:44
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The whole of Europe is experiencing really bad weather currently and Symi hasn't escaped, whilst there's been no ice or snow, we have had some dreadful conditions during January continuing into February.
High winds and heavy rainfall have stopped shipping for days on end meaning that certain supplies have been quite limited. Luckily, everything required for a prolonged winter feeding programme was purchased well in advance, so our street cats wouldn't be affected should this season be a bad one. Our volunteers have delivered food to their stations whatever the weather and at some of them a shelter has been put up for the cats in that location.
A few cats seem to have relocated and certain stations are busier than others, it has also been noted that new cats are appearing from time to time - possibly whilst their 'owners' have gone away for a short holiday or trip to Rhodes - only to disappear after a while, back to their true home once the 'owner' has returned?! As yet, we have had no reports of the mass poisonings or outbreaks of disease that have occurred in previous winters which is very encouraging news.
Plans are underway for a Greek Animal Welfare Fund vet visit in either late March or early April, we have learned that the Greek vet qualified in Thessaloniki and a GAWF grant will pay for this important visit. The main objective will be to neuter feral cats and GAWF agrees with SAW that a recent increase in the cat population justifies such a neutering programme in the Spring of 2009.
We aim to maintain a controlled and healthy cat population on our Island home for the benefit of residents and visitors alike but chiefly for the welfare of these beautiful creatures. Permission from 'owners' will be sought whenever practical and we will endeavour to work alongside our neighbours as much as possible. Many of the cats on Symi however, particularly in the more remote areas are truly feral which means that we will of course be careful to return them to the same location they were found initially.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact me at symielec@otenet.gr
As always, thank you for your constant support.
Melanie Sharp
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