We have to do a project for our Greek culture class that involves either volunteering or researching some aspect of Greek culture. I have proposed and got approval to do mine on strays and the lack of care (ie vaccines, spay/neuter etc) for them here in Greece. Apparently animals are not seen in the same light as we see them in America or even the UK. Vet care is virtually unheard of and although stray pups and kittens are often dumped nobody seems to strongly support spay/neuter programs and the laws against animal abuse are not upheld. Thankfully there are several groups who are working to change that, but as one of them said it is like emptying the ocean with a teaspoon. A real uphill battle. So, I am hopefully going to be in touch with a group called "Friends of cats" that is run by a British woman. Maybe I will get to learn more about the situation. I know I can't make a huge difference in the 2+ months I have left, but I think it is worth putting my energy into it.
I met a lady last night who is from Austria and feeds several cats over near the cemetery. I chatted with her for a while, as best I could with the language barrier, and it was clear she cared about the cats, although she was feeding them spaghetti...*sigh* I wanted to go buy some food right then and there and bring to her! Of course it was Sunday and the shops are closed. The director of our program here said it was mostly foreigners who took care of the strays.
I'll let you know how this works for me...I hope it will be good.
In the mean time...just a few photos I've managed to snap of some of the cats I've met. Not all are strays thank goodness.
Met this guy on a walk yesterday. While most cats have been skittish and reluctant to make friends he was extremely friendly and loved to be petted. He didn't want to stay still for a photo though!
This one was in a little fenced area at an apartment/house. I assume these are cats with homes. Other than one that had an issue with it's eye they looked rather healthy.
This one didn't want any attention either....
One of the cats being fed by the Austrian woman. Most of them looked fairly healthy thank goodness....I thought this one was particularly beautiful.
Another of the Austrian woman's group....he/she was quite handsome!
I saw this one on my walk in Anafiotika, and old traditional Greek neighborhood in the shadow of the Acropolis, this morning. He has to be the most laid back cat I've seen thus far.
Also in Anafiotika. You can see that people feed these animals whatever they can...including bread. I've read that animals do well during tourist season, but when the tourists leave they struggle to survive.
I am ecstatic!! I hope this works out for me. It will be so good to be able to follow another passion of mine while I am here. I'll keep you updated!