The tourist season has started as have the emails, messages and calls regarding cats, kittens, injuries and adoption required… With this last query in mind we decided to set up a special Face Book page for adoption, information and guidance ONLY – Rhodes CATS ( Cats Adoption Transport Services ) Tourists may now contact the 2 x vets directly involved one each end of the island for vaccinations, passports, everything involved for adopting and transporting the cats to their Forever homes without GCWS being involved..Panagiotis our vet in Kremasti has his own van which will collect animals, cared for until flights are arranged ,thereafter deliver to the airport for their departure….
Since our last newsletter and up to the present however soon to cease due to hot weather, our volunteers were out and about trapping as many pregnant females as our finances would allow. Surprisingly we had a few kind donations that came in different forms and amounts, allowing us extra time to trap more pregnant strays….
Once again we need to thank continuing supporters Susan Papier, Ute Oppelt and her friends plus an amazing group of Lovely Ladies who lunch once a month to raise funds for different charities, donating 635 euro to our cause. A few years back the charity relied totally on winter fund raising, however it appears there are a more gracious people out there doing their best to raise funds for us all year round..
Firstly we must thank Emma Trim who has been making these great hessian bags I LOVE PEFKOS – I LOVE LINDOS & I LOVE CATS which at 12e per bag selling well here on the island, along with being posted out from the UK… If you wish to purchase any of these designs please contact her direct ( emmatrim167@btinternet.com)
Another supporter Barbara Grundy came up with an idea for these great little Destination Lindos gadget key rings selling @ £3.50 each, with all funds raised donated towards our neutering and winter feed program…
Sandra & Mark Simpson of spinners fame also sold the last of their Pefkos aluminium key rings at @ £4 each, however money raised was shared between GCWS and 2 other worthy causes..
Last but not least Art City of Rhodes, a group of like minded artists covering all genres approached us offering to donate 4 x various pictures for an Easter online auction .They all sold , sadly not for the amount the artists had suggested, either way funds were raised for the ever decreasing coffers…
Its truly wonderful that these kind and generous people care for the strays and think of GCWS-Rhodes..
Six years ago when we first started to trap cats, we would have locals abuse the volunteers, pulling cats from the traps or cages. Strays were emaciated, eyes hanging out of their sockets, kittens and older cats dragging their broken limbs, starving bone thin, skin literally hanging off their bodies, cancers as big as golf balls and poisoning an everyday occurrence.
We battled on.
A few weeks back as GCWS-Rhodes organiser and representative I was invited to Kalathos village South of the island for tea & cake with the locals. Everyone at the Soirée were Greeks including the priest although I had invited a few GCWS supporters, to my utter surprise after some chatting, eating of cakes Despina who arranged everything stood and made a speech regarding the amazing job GCWS had managed neutering over 250 cats in the village and urged everyone to support us… Much clapping, smiling and thumbs up from those that did not speak English, they had also requested 2 x donation collection pots which on emptying totalled a fantastic 370 euro…
Many people do ask if the Greeks help us and the answer is a definite YES…
They understand now, in the beginning locals confused the situation thinking we were killing the cats, sending them overseas for vivisection or using their skins in one way or another… There are quite a few villages on the island who love their cats, feeding them and will even make contact when cats are ill or injured, they don’t necessarily have money to pay for medication however GCWS will assist wherever possible..
THANK YOU to those caring Greeks living on Rhodes, YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE…
Thankyou Andrea and colleagues for all the hard work you do,we have moved to Cornwall, major lifestyle change so may be a while before we get to Lindos again,we are due to complete on a new home in a week so will be in touch once settled, take care 😊
Hello Carol.
Wishing you all the best in your new home take care and thank you for the kind comments…
Hi,
Would you please send me a private mail so that I could discuss a project with you
Cheers
Thank you
Herzlichen Dank für eure fantastische Arbeit, die ihr tagtäglich im Namen der Tiere leistet. Es ist ein klarer Auftrag an uns,euch dabei zu unterstützen. Alles Liebe, Bringst
This is so good to hear, especially the new information about the attitude of the locals. I contacted you – I think it must have been me who started it – six years ago about the Pefkos cats, and you leapt into action. I support you every month and would urge all sympathisers to do the same. You don’t miss a few £s/Euros a month, but it sure helps when added up.
Hello Sue, so much water under the bridge and sooooo many cats neutered..
Look forward to catching up next time here.
Best regards
Hello Andrea
Do you have a co ordinator in Rhodes old town I have just returned from there and I am concerned about a couple of cats I was feeding I’ve contacted the holiday home owner waiting to hear back if she can help also do you know the cost of transportation to the UK ? Thank you Carole
Hi there
I’m Claire, I recently returned to Rhodes (Lindos specifically) for holidays after a long absence from Greece having traveled extensively across the islands in the past. As an animal lover and Mama to 2 spoilt cats I was struck again by the plight of the local cats and I fell in love with a local stray at my hotel, who’d been spayed/ear clipped by you guys and I came home very upset, wanting to help but feeling a bit powerless.
I’m happy to send some money every month and some food but wondering if so can do more, albeit from the UK?
I run a healthcare charity here as well as having a history as a professional fundraiser so I have some useful skills to offer.
I notice your social media could do with expanding (particularly Instagram/Twitter) where most charities are getting their awareness/funding these days so if you would like me to help in that way I would be happy to get those running at optimum/working better for you? Just a thought.
Let me know, happy to help and give some time to your vital work xx
Hello I’ve just returned from Rhodes and i feel the same my help feels like a tiny drop in a massive ocean I think a petition to the mayor of Rhodes or the Greek authories is needed I’m sure if someone could set that up you would get enough support it needs government intervention for the cats and dogs of the islands.
Hello Carole, thank you for the comments.
With over 3600 cats neutered in the 7yrs we have been here you can imagine its a never ending cycle, especially as we are a VERY small charity and as explained before totally reliant on donations. Petitioning the mayor would not really help as others have tried, the Greeks have far more economic and financial problems to deal with than cats dogs or donkeys, however saying that things are changing and the more we involve the younger generation the better it will be for all animals.. Thank you for caring.
Hello Claire, thank you for your comments.
We are a VERY small charity and rely totally on funds raised and although you felt it was upsetting what you had seen in Lindos or around the island, you must understand it was 50 times worse until our arrival 7 yrs ago. Naturally we are grateful for any donations or help offered however we need to be extremely careful politically when dealing with the locals.
Rhodes attitude towards animals is far better than many other islands or the mainland but again any funds raised would always be of help… Thank you