Surely the greatest problem in Corfu regarding animal welfare is cultural rather than legislative?
My good friend and neighbour has sixteen cats but only feeds four of them. She was horrified when I said my original cats I brought from the UK (together with my rescued Corfiot cat) had been neutered as she genuinely believes that neutering is cruel and unnatural. I have tried to gently persuade her otherwise, but to no avail.
I have lived here for long enough to never even think of trying to force her to change her opinion as I live in her country and "when in Rome"? She and her family are brilliant neighbours so I would never wish to upset them in any way. She loves animals but just has a different view to me. I don't mind all these cats being around me as they keep the rodents away (am I now being nasty to the rats?).
Message posted by julesx2 on 16 October 2011 at 9:49pm - IP Logged
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julesx2
Jan with your wealth of knowledge and good ideas Im sure the animal charities on Corfu could do with a spokesperson like yourself!! Ever thought of giving it a try?julesxx
Message posted by geordielass on 16 October 2011 at 10:21pm - IP Logged
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Yes Lavinia you are right cultural beliefs are one of the biggest problems to overcome thats why we constantly try to educate, whittling away at it all the time at every opportunity. There is progress but the very old people as is the case in most countries are rarely swayed. The younger generations are more open to change.
Message posted by janmanessi on 16 October 2011 at 10:27pm - IP Logged
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There are so many marvellous animal charity workers I know they could produce a much more knowledgable and committed a spokesperson amongst themselves, ideally from one of the Greek supporters.
Whilst taking the point that animal welfare may not be high on the council's agenda a strong multinational united pressure group might get somewhere with them- not necessarily in enforcing legislation- I agree with Lavinia that there are huge cultural differences- but in influencing attitudes by occasional talks in schools, visits to animal shelters, etc. as Geordielass implies- change is most likely to come from the young.
Although- having said that here is a story to end my contribution to this discussion.
About 1990 we were asked to entertain a minister and his family for a drink, they were staying nearby. They came up and his son, aged about 9 kept teasing one of our dogs. He was told not to, but he went on, and finally the dog snapped. He didn't draw blood but the child was understandably scared. His parents wanted the dog's head cut off and sent to Athens where it could be tested for rabies! The eminent minister's old mother however told them all not to be so stupid, as she pointed out her son might have come a long way but his father had been a shepherd and both he and his son had inevitably been bitten occasionally, without any harm. She said he ought to remember his roots (always good advice for a politician!) The compromise we reached was that we would quarantine the dog for six weeks, after which time our vet certified it was disease free, and the matter was dropped!
Message posted by Jaybird on 16 October 2011 at 11:48pm - IP Logged
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Sorry to butt in here guys but having read this thread I think Jan you would need to have seen the effort Jeni put in to try and be a 'committed spokesperson' when she tried to access the funds that are meant to be available for the strays ...... she was passed from pillar to post and, if I remember rightly, only one lovely Greek lady tried to help by sending Jeni lots of paperwork. No one living on Corfu who works with the strays has the time or the money to spend all their spare time being shunted from office to office. They do a fantastic job and usually comunications between all of them isnt a problem .... they always have this site!
Message posted by janmanessi on 17 October 2011 at 10:08am - IP Logged
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Jaybird I can imagine the appalling bureaucracy etc that Jeni encountered, and the obstacles, but I am not talking about trying to access funds, but a combined effort to be a pressure group campaigning for change in attitudes- and with all respect to foreign charity workers there is likely to be more chance of success if they get a Greek to be the 'face' for the group. Not everyone has access to a computer either, and not all the animal activists read English, although most do.
Message posted by sheree on 17 October 2011 at 11:56am - IP Logged
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Keep up the good work Jeni,
If only more people could do a little bit more in whatever way they could to help then hopefully things will continue to improve, although I think with the economic climate its a difficult wish.
Message posted by loubee on 17 October 2011 at 12:13pm - IP Logged
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I have been following this thread and all I can say is poor Jeni.. I understand people are concerned to help any way they can with the charities but this is not what this post was about. Jeni has already stated she is not involved with the charity and is now having to spend her time defending herself and charities. Can we not get back to the original track of the topic which was help with transporting a dog to its new family! Keep up the good work Jeni x
Message posted by janmanessi on 17 October 2011 at 1:37pm - IP Logged
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Jeni had no need to defend herself and the charities- she, and they, have been doing fantastic work, and I don't think any of the posts suggested anything otherwise.
Message posted by geordielass on 18 October 2011 at 12:33pm - IP Logged
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Sadie has flew to Germany today Tierhilfe-Korfu found a flugpaten and Cheryl took her to airport at 5.00am... Thank you to those who have been supportive on the site and dont forget if your coming on holiday do your bit, whether its bringing animal drugs or buy a calendar etc. if you are spending long periods of time here try and foster, and if you are travelling from Corfu to Germany or Holland by plane or road, contact one of the animal organisations to help a dog or cat find a home, it all helps thank you jeni
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