Just a few days ago we received news that the Dimos - the local government (like our local councils) in Crete and the veterinary department - yes the veterinary department who are supposed to care for animals - were to close down the shelter we help in Crete. They have been trying for years to close shelters down, but this time it is official via the courts.
This could be disastrous for the animals that find themselves confined to a shelter through no fault of their own. What's the plan for them, you may ask - well there is no plan, they want to open the gates and let the dogs fend for themselves. The target is to close the shelter at end of November, just in time for the rain and winds and bad weather, no shelter, no care, no food, and what's more the shelter is very close to the highway.
The generous donations we have received will buy vaccinations, microchips, flea and worming treatments. We also hope to be able to buy food and offer some support in the hope we can make a plan and get all dogs help. This will take many days but need to be achieved so we can try and help the remaining dogs before the end of the year when the time runs out for the shelter.
You'll be able to follow the team's work here - so please come back and see their progress.
This could be disastrous for the animals that find themselves confined to a shelter through no fault of their own. What's the plan for them, you may ask - well there is no plan, they want to open the gates and let the dogs fend for themselves. The target is to close the shelter at end of November, just in time for the rain and winds and bad weather, no shelter, no care, no food, and what's more the shelter is very close to the highway.
The generous donations we have received will buy vaccinations, microchips, flea and worming treatments. We also hope to be able to buy food and offer some support in the hope we can make a plan and get all dogs help. This will take many days but need to be achieved so we can try and help the remaining dogs before the end of the year when the time runs out for the shelter.
You'll be able to follow the team's work here - so please come back and see their progress.
Click on an image to expand |
This morning we set off for Crete. We were accompanied by 2 huge suitcases full of goodies for the dogs and pups at the shelter and strays in need. The plan is to spend as much time as we can at the shelter documenting, vaccinating, microchipping etc. all the dogs we can.
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We had only been in Crete a few hours and were inundated with requests to help some 8 dogs. We stopped and fed some stray boys by the side of a busy road, too shy to trust us. We visited two 8 week old pups and offered help to a friend who’d taken in 2 dogs dumped at her gate. So many dogs need our help and we haven’t got as far as the shelter. We have stocked up at the vets and supermarket and are ready for a full day tomorrow.
During the evening we were hit by a huge storm, thunder lighting and rain. Our hearts feel for the dogs outside in this with no shelter.
Kalinitka
During the evening we were hit by a huge storm, thunder lighting and rain. Our hearts feel for the dogs outside in this with no shelter.
Kalinitka
Day 2
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Our first night was very wet and stormy and without electricity - the storm had shut off the power at our accommodation and not much sleep was had.
When we arrived at the shelter the next morning the poor dogs were soaked through. The weather has been bad and there isn’t much relief. |
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We spent our first 4 hours giving worm/flea medications, checking microchips, taking some blood samples and cataloguing the latest pups. Then we made a start on the list of dogs.
The hours flew by and there was a lot to log and achieve but despite the weather, we were able to do some work.
After that, we went to meet the Nerokouro shelter owner. We mainly discussed the legal situation which still isn’t clear but it is believed that the powers that be do want to close the local shelters.
It is so sad that still in the 21st century there are Greek people who do not want the dogs to have the opportunity f to live happy lives abroad. If there were enough good homes in Crete then there would be no need but so many dogs we pass live 24/7 on chains. Many without sufficient shelter form heat/rain. So many stray dogs on the streets searching for food/water and just dumped with the ever-present risk of being poisoned or run over. Surely they should be happy for the dogs to leave and have futures? What is their solution? No money, no homes?
Even last week a Greek lady didn’t want us to take a mother dog and her 3 puppies as believed we would send them to China for human meat. She would rather leave the dog in an olive grove with no shelter and no future rather than allow them to leave to the UK.
It is a constant battle and there are many many people against associations abroad helping.
We have made arrangements for some repairs to drainage, and the building’s interior to help make the dogs more comfortable and dry at least. Even if the shelter does close the dogs need to be safe from the weather conditions until that time.
There are no decent dog houses and many insecure boundaries that if fixed will give the dogs more safe areas.
More updates tomorrow. Even heavier rain is expected tomorrow so we do hope we can travel on the roads.
Wish us luck.
The hours flew by and there was a lot to log and achieve but despite the weather, we were able to do some work.
After that, we went to meet the Nerokouro shelter owner. We mainly discussed the legal situation which still isn’t clear but it is believed that the powers that be do want to close the local shelters.
It is so sad that still in the 21st century there are Greek people who do not want the dogs to have the opportunity f to live happy lives abroad. If there were enough good homes in Crete then there would be no need but so many dogs we pass live 24/7 on chains. Many without sufficient shelter form heat/rain. So many stray dogs on the streets searching for food/water and just dumped with the ever-present risk of being poisoned or run over. Surely they should be happy for the dogs to leave and have futures? What is their solution? No money, no homes?
Even last week a Greek lady didn’t want us to take a mother dog and her 3 puppies as believed we would send them to China for human meat. She would rather leave the dog in an olive grove with no shelter and no future rather than allow them to leave to the UK.
It is a constant battle and there are many many people against associations abroad helping.
We have made arrangements for some repairs to drainage, and the building’s interior to help make the dogs more comfortable and dry at least. Even if the shelter does close the dogs need to be safe from the weather conditions until that time.
There are no decent dog houses and many insecure boundaries that if fixed will give the dogs more safe areas.
More updates tomorrow. Even heavier rain is expected tomorrow so we do hope we can travel on the roads.
Wish us luck.
Day 3
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Another busy busy day in Crete. We were lucky it only rained and thundered all night long. But was dry by the time we set off at 0800am.
Before the shelter, we had a meeting with a lady who is aware of the current shelter issues. Just to try and establish the truth about the current situation. It appears it is true they wish to close the shelter, there are many aspects to the issues in Crete and its very hard to explain the full situation. So many rescuers but hard to get everyone to work together for the greater good. Chimney Farm will offer a solution to find homes for as many dogs as we can. That’s all we can do at the moment, we will try to make the dogs a bit more comfortable, fix some holes, buy some dog shelters to keep them dryer and fix some drainage issues and the shelter van. |
We neutered 2 dogs today and they are now safe in foster and will recover on a warm home rather than having to go back to the shelter.
We continued to catalogue the dogs and assess them for rehoming. The weather was kind to us until around 3pm then the heavens opened and we all got wet but continued. We left a dog house, food and water for the two stray dogs on the streets, hoping they will use it for shelter and it won’t be stolen. Fed some stray cats. We went back home to input all the data. Then off to collect the two females and drop them to foster. The weather here is torrential rain and storms. Not fun at all. We are sad for all the dogs we see on our travels on chains, strays, no shelter. Just so unfair Tomorrow we will be back to the shelter. Night night all |
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Day 4
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Another torrential rainy day in Crete. The weather has not let up and to see the dogs in the shelter is heart-breaking. Even though there are some dog houses there are not enough and not all are in good enough condition.
We purchased 20 new dog houses today, they will be delivered in 4 days. So the shelter boys will send some pics. We also paid for some workers to make urgent repairs to drains/guttering/build soakaways/fix holes in shelter roofs and add some side panels to give some wind protection. The workers cannot start until the rain stops so we are hoping for some improvements soon. We also paid for some workers to make urgent repairs to drains/guttering/build soakaways/fix holes in shelter roofs and add some side panels to give some wind protection. The workers cannot start until the rain stops so we are hoping for some improvements soon. |
We appreciate the shelter may close but until we have a final date the dogs deserve to be protected from the heavy rains and wind and have some sanctuary from the mud/cold floors.
We catalogued more dogs and have given worm and flea medicines to many more dogs. Cut nails. Assessed dogs for rehoming in the UK. We took some older smaller dogs from the shelter today and they will be moved to foster as they were just shaking and very depressed and sad. We brought them home first for warm baths and some rest. They just wanted to sleep, finally some peace from the noise and weather. So many lovely dogs deserve the chance of freedom. It’s been a long week so far but very productive so far. |
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Day 5
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A very big today for 14 dogs from the shelter and one none shelter dog, who left Crete to find new homes in the UK.
There were 9 puppies, Polly, Vera, Cooper, Boris, Buffy, Harvey, Coco, Amber and Poppy. And 5 adults:
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Thank you to the team, Jenn, Ali, Tracy, Amalia and Eleni for a very brutal week, bad weather, lots of work but together we achieved so much. Lucy, Polly and Hector have been adopted. The remaining dogs will go to foster homes and be ready for adoption soon so please keep an eye on the website. |
