I have just returned from a holiday at Loggos and the only downside was the state of the cats. They need veterinary attention in terms of neutering, worming and flee-riddance. Is there a vet in Loggos. Rather than buying cat food for the winter (which we did, and put it in the box) I'd rather contribute to their long term health.
There are a couple of cats in a really bad way - a white one with infected ears, and a tabby one with a bad paw. I also saw a dying kitten which was very upsetting. The cats in Sivota all look very well and healthy so I hope that similar treatment can come the way of the lovely cats at Loggos. If there is any scheme in place please let me know.
Thanks,
Viv Burton
Message posted by ElaineK (Paxos) on 15 June 2010 at 7:27pm - IP Logged
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There are no vets on Paxos, but an organisation called PAWS (Paxos Animal Welfare Society) arranges for a vet to go out there once or twice a year. I'm surprised you didn't see their collecting boxes in the shops and travel offices. I don't think they have a website, but
Incidentally, PAWS used to fund the winter feeding station in Loggos, but due to lack of funds, they stopped doing it a few years ago. So, because the cats were accustomed to going there for their food in winter, when there are no tourists to supplement their diet, it was then left to the locals to organise it out of their own pockets. Hence the appeals for food that you saw.
Elaine
Message posted by Robbos on 15 June 2010 at 7:40pm - IP Logged
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I wrote of my daughter's involvement as a volunteer vet with PAWS and was sent a personal private communication warning me that it was a controversial matter because of the sensitivity of the Greek Vet authorities. Maybe it should be made more public if matters are deteriorating. If PAWS is an embarrassment to the Greek Vets, they should go proactive and do something more satisfactory themselves. The local politicians have a vested interest as this looks a poor show for tourism when cats are seen to be being neglected.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 16 June 2010 at 10:03am - IP Logged
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I don't think it's such a problem with vets on Paxos as there are no vets there but certainly visiting vets on Corfu are a very differant matter. We have had several vets offer to come to Corfu to help but permission must be obtained from the local vetenary association which is a sticking point on Corfu. If vets were to come without permission then it would be difficult or impossible to get the Corfu vets to work with the charities for the rest of the year. The UK vets have always requested that permission be given in writing before they would come.
Message posted by Puddies on 16 June 2010 at 10:56am - IP Logged
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This has really upset me! I know people dont want to take in stray cats but if there is a dying kitten surely someone could help that one incase it could be saved. I know it costs money but someone must have a heart. If necessary, then release it again after treatment, but dont let the poor thing suffer without giving it a chance!! x
Message posted by matty&sara on 16 June 2010 at 10:58am - IP Logged
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Elaine I will just like to correct you on one small matter! PAWS did give us a small contribution towards winter feeding last winter but for the rest of the time WE have funded the catfood out of our own pockets - we also have taken in 8 rescued cats to our house! There is a PAWS vet here at the moment and funds are now so low that he reckons they won't be in operation much longer. There is also a PAWS vet coming in October for 2 weeks. One of the Corfu vets who is Paxiot comes over ever 2 weeks in summertime but most of the locals cannot afford the fees that he charges.
Viv - The white cat with bad ears has skin cancer and there is nothing that can be done - the kitten which was injured was dumped at the feeding station by some 'caring' local (Unfortunately, she is now dead) and the 3 legged cat belongs to Four Seasons Cafe Bar and has been like that since he was a kitten. The one-eyed cat is perfectly healthy. She had a bad eye infection when she was a kitten and had to have it removed. Are you the same person who left us a note with the cat food at the feeding station?
Message posted by Puddies on 16 June 2010 at 11:05am - IP Logged
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Guys, can we just note that there's no PERMANENT vet on Paxos - saying there's 'no vet' isn't quite true, because as Matty&Sara point out a Paxiot (Yiannis) who is part of the team of vets in Corfu comes over every 2 weeks through the summer. He's been the vet for my dogs since I moved here & I've always found him very good, very kind, very caring, & I have to say very reasonable in terms of price - certainly far cheaper than UK vet prices!!
I don't think it's fair to say PAWS is an 'embarrassment' to Greek vets either - how would a UK vet feel if a Greek came to the country treating their patients basically for 'free' - which is how it could appear to some. Vets run a business like any other & have to survive.
The PAWS vets do a fantastic job of course, but funds are bound to be limited - these days it's difficult for people to find spare cash for charitable donation. I adopted a dog that was found by Lindsay & PAWS paid for his 'snip', & I feel I kind of 'gave at the office' by giving him a loving home since The PAWS vets were absolutely great when an older dog of mine had to be put to sleep, they couldn't have been kinder or more gentle with her, or us, & I was extremely happy to make a donation. James also neutered 3 cats I'd rescued, & with pleasure I donated for those too.
But my concern about rounding up cats to neuter is that if too many are done & the cat population is reduced substantially, the rat population will increase in proportion! And, it's very easy for people to see animals that aren't 100% (for example the Four Seasons 3-legged one) & assume they need help. I've seen many people on holiday start feeding kittens only to leave them high & dry after their visit - sadly, sometimes we have to let nature take it's course. I also know someone who took 6 tiny kittens assuming they were lost, only to find that the mother was owned & cared for by a local - who, understandably, wasn't too pleased!
G
Message posted by Robbos on 17 June 2010 at 5:28pm - IP Logged
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I take your point. I made the point about the cat:rat relationship on another thread and believe it could cause problems even although my daughter, not an "ENGLISH" vet but a Scottish one was involved in the process with PAWS. My honest opinion is that the Greek authorities and cat owners should analyse the situation and act accordingly and not rely on well intentioned, kindly and praiseworthy "outsiders".
Message posted by Viv Burton on 12 July 2010 at 3:50pm - IP Logged
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Yes, I did leave a donation in the PAWS collecting box but my main concern was the health (or lack of) in the cats at Loggos. I'm so pleased to hear that they do get vet. attention from time to time.
Thanks for replying.
Viv x
Message posted by SusieH on 12 July 2010 at 7:47pm - IP Logged
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Sadly, most Greeks consider cats to be vermin in Greece, only good for keeping the rat and mice population down. There are of course exceptions, we all know of Greeks who love and care for their cats.
Even in the UK they do not have the same status as dogs.
I have a feeling it will be many years before a Nationwide charity such as the RSPCA is fully functional in Greece.
Meanwhile we all have to do what we can and support whatever charities there are who are trying to help.
I have always accepted that it comes with the territory, in Greece cats are born every year and many die in the winter when there is no-one to feed them. Sad it may be but I am afraid the Greeks have a lot more to worry them at the moment.
Susie
Message posted by ElaineK (Paxos) on 13 July 2010 at 7:36am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by SusieH on 12 July 2010
....Sad it may be but I am afraid the Greeks have a lot more to worry them at the moment.
Susie
I'm afraid that I have to agree with you there Susie.
This was all thrown into very stark perspective for me the other night, when a friend was telling me about his small daughter's broken leg last winter. He told us that it had cost him €10,000 and 6 trips to the mainland to get the sort of specialist treatment that she needed to ensure that it didn't affect her for the rest of her life.
When you can't even get the kind of specialist medical treatment you sometimes need locally on Paxos for your children, you can't expect them to worry too much about medical treatment for the cats.
Elaine
Message posted by jjane p on 18 September 2011 at 12:54pm - IP Logged
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Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could help- my parents are currently in Paxos and are coming home tomorrow but have fallen in love with a kitten. They would really like to know how they can go about bringing it home in the future but are not sure how to go about this. I have researched the requirements by DEFRA i.e. get a vet to microchip, vaccinate, test and certify and then de-worm but I'm a bit unsure how this can be done without a vet on the island? I read a vet is visiting in October and wondered if anything could be arranged? Also the transport of pets must be approved but how do you get the pet off the island in an approved manner or does that bit not matter and just make sure the transport from a main island to the UK is approved? Any insight would be much appreciated! Charlotte on behalf of jane
Message posted by Puddies on 18 September 2011 at 1:47pm - IP Logged
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Not strictly Paxos cats but it illustrates some of the animal welfare problems...a friend who works for one of the animal welfare organisations on Corfu was asked to look after 2 cats whose owner had to return to UK "but would send for them once the quarantine period is over" (currently 6 months after jabs and tests, but after January only 3 weeks). Friend arranged for them to be looked after by a lovely Greek woman who looks after animals as well as coping with her mother who has severe Alzheimers. The lady did pay something towards their injections and food. Last week, having got the animals all ready to travel this woman emailed from UK to say her children had persuaded her to change her mind as it was so difficult getting them from London to their home in Scotland "but she was sure they would be able to rehome the cats well on Corfu" (one is 7 and one is 4)...My friend was speechless
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The PAWS vets were absolutely great when an older dog of mine had to be put to sleep, they couldn't have been kinder or more gentle with her, or us, & I was extremely happy to make a donation. James also neutered 3 cats I'd rescued, & with pleasure I donated for those too.
