The picture in my avatar is SADIE. She was a stray. She has a new family waiting for her in Germany. If you are travelling by plane or road and you will go to or through Germany you could help Sadie or one of our other dogs who we have here get to their homes, the season finishes in a few weeks and the planes will stop. Sadie and friends will be stuck here, make a dog and a family happy, for info email jeniscafe(at)hotmail.com or phone 0030693669063o
Message posted by janmanessi on 14 October 2011 at 3:05pm - IP Logged
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The Ark also has two lovely dogs ready to go to UK- think one is in Newcastle area and one Edinburgh- plus the usual ones needing to go to Holland and Germany
Message posted by geordielass on 14 October 2011 at 4:09pm - IP Logged
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Dogs can travel to the UK by plane without anyone accompanying them. They can travel Thomas Cook and TUI there is still time to arrange this if they have the right blood tests etc. Also there are transport firms that can take them by road. Contact me for details.
In the case of Germany and Holland to travel by air the dogs must be accompanied by a flugpaten (flightpartner) who travels with the dog. Sadie would like a flight partner to help her join the family who have chosen her or someone travelling by road who can help her on her way.
Message posted by janmanessi on 14 October 2011 at 8:07pm - IP Logged
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Compare the price of sending animals to UK and to Holland and Germany and you will see why they are hoping for a lift for these dogs (paying expenses too of course).
Why on earth I should be 'just talking' I don't know!
And yes, The Ark IS aware that they can travel alone- at an exorbitant price.
By the way dogs for Holland and Germany can also go unaccompanied from Athens as cargo but it costs a lot more
Message posted by geordielass on 14 October 2011 at 8:50pm - IP Logged
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I know it is much more expensive for going to UK but I have found that people deciding to adopt a dog from us have been told from the moment they decide to take the dog what costs are incurred and they make that decision. Happy Wendy is one of the people who did this. Hhopefully next year with the changes in the UK DEFRA guidelines things will improve.
Message posted by janmanessi on 14 October 2011 at 8:53pm - IP Logged
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Ideally yes, but when people fall in love with a Corfu stray everyone obviously tries to minimise expenses- and that's why I just added the message- just in case! In these two cases the strays found them- they were not adopted from the Ark's centre, but are being cared for by them in the interim.
Message posted by geordielass on 14 October 2011 at 9:05pm - IP Logged
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jan all our strays that have gone to the UK were off the street, not from the CARE centre and we explained all costs from day one. It is a bonus if you can find a cheaper way but you maybe for the UK should have put a thread on earlier as I know people who have driven back a few weeks ago to the north east and might have been able to help you. SADIE has been picked from a German website a few days ago and I did my appeal immediately. She is a street dog.
Message posted by julesx2 on 14 October 2011 at 9:47pm - IP Logged
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julesx2
Our Greek stray is from from Acharavi, she lived on the streets and adopted US when we were on holiday. The little tyke had us wrapped around her little paw probably around day two of our holiday! Luckily our very great friend who owns the apartments agreed to babysit her until her passport was finished. We sent out money for her board and lodgings and her vets bills ect. She was ready to travel to the UK in June 2007 and I flew out to collect her. She returned on a THompsonfly flight to Gatwick and the bill for her flight was over £700 Most of this is payed to the agent who dealt with all the arrangements for her flight. I would think all in all we spent about £1,400 getting her back here but I tell you what she was worth every single penny. Lots of people are shocked at the amount we paid for what is really a mongrel dog but they are soon put in their place by me, she is an angel and has added so much happiness to our lives. It was the best £1400 I have ever spent and would do it all over again if had to..julesxxx
Message posted by Elliemay on 14 October 2011 at 10:20pm - IP Logged
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Hopefully stories like this are about to end on Jan 1st when the new rules come into force. After that date it is much simpler to import an animal into the UK. With any luck the airlines should start to charge the same as they do to fly a pet into Germany and Holland which is about £30. We have even had animals sent to Holland for $30 or £40 and then collected them from Amsterdam and driven them back. I have brought many animals into both the UK and Germany over the last ten years and have been lucky enough to revisit most of them and seen how they are living with their new families.
julesx2, Our Cat did the same to us. You can read her story HERE. She has cost us lots over the years but how can anyone ever even think about the cost when a family member is involved? She is sometimes a pain but aren't your children? Whatever, she is now our cat,no matter what it costs and we love her lots. She will be going back to England with us next month for the 14th time and is looking forward to a merry Xmas and happy new year. (and she just loves that Xmas dinner).
Message posted by kenny boy on 14 October 2011 at 11:27pm - IP Logged
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Hi Graham, thats lovely and what a beautiful cat she is,
Message posted by julesx2 on 14 October 2011 at 11:50pm - IP Logged
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julesx2
Here elizajay Im passing you some tissues!!!
Graham you right about my kids!! The dogs are far less trouble and I really hope your cat enjoys her Cristmas dinner, she deserves it. Do you really think the airlines will lower the price of transporting dogs? I have a feeling they wont. I believe airlines will still use the agents and they are what costs they big money!!
Our loulou who got her name from a knickname my Greek friends gave her (little flower) has her paws well and truly under the carpet (or wood floor) she rules the house or so she thinks. I think she still remembers her Corfu days, she loves to bury things and that must come from her time on the streets. She also startles easily so I think was often shooed or chased out of various places but also loves the sunny days where she will lie flat out on the decking and bask in the sunshine for hours.
I really hope Sadie can get to Germany quickly and find happiness with her new family!!
julesxxx
Message posted by janmanessi on 15 October 2011 at 12:34am - IP Logged
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geordielass- agree and wish it could have been posted earlier- I only found out about it the other day and was spurred to action by your post.
As someone who is not connected with any animal welfare organisation myself it seems to highlight the need to all the groups to work together as there is so much that needs to be done, and united they could be a real force.
My friend who works with the Ark has over 30 dogs (plus a few cats) at her house at any one time (lucky to have a sympathetic landlord and neighbours). She has taken over 80 dogs to the airport this year, nursed others at home, and is at the vet several times a week with others. She pays a couple to help her look after them, and also hosts volunteers who come in the summer. Her whole life is bound up with the animals, but there are only so many hours in a day.
Maybe if information was shared, and everyone was aware of other organisation's specific needs (which are constantly changing) everyone could help each other. After all the aims are the same.
I know that there have been many occasions where one organisation has helped another, but in the interests of efficiency, and the animals, surely a more regular stream of communication could help.
Message posted by Dasia on 15 October 2011 at 5:59am - IP Logged
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Jules, what an inspiring story, all that trouble and expense but you ended up with a sweetie of a pet. Hopefully she will eventually understand the food will keep coming and she doesn't have to bury things! Just sad to think of all the other ones with equally winning personalities--or slightly annoying ones, like my formerly stray desperate mom-cat turned prima donna--still looking for homes...
Graham, is that your cat in the Sconto bag in your avatar picture? I've always enjoyed that pic.
We haven't travelled to Greece via Germany since Air Canada started flying directly to Athens, but if we do I'll keep dogs like Sadie in mind. Though now I know there's an organization bringing greek dogs to Canada. I think I'd feel better bringing a dog to my final destination, so as not to have to worry if no one came to claim him or her when I had to get on a connecting flight.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 15 October 2011 at 7:19am - IP Logged
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jan I do not work for an animal charity. I am an individual who works together with animal organisations who have helped turn my area of Corfu into a much better place for animals. My own fund raising pays for sterilisations and with the help of C.A.R.E and Tierhilfe-Korfu they are rehomed (in Sidari/Peroulades alone we rehome 80 dogs a year). Cats and dogs are sterilised every week, worming tablets and flea products are dished out even to locals if they help stop an animal suffering and as I speak Greek I try to educate, to change attitudes to animals. I have been in Corfu 30 years and I have seen a lot of change in attitudes in that time. All the work your friend from the ark is doing, so are Graham and Angela from Agni and Cheryl from C.A.R.E and Marjorie in Lefkimi. It would be nice if they could all sit down and have a chat about what info they have etc but in the real world its action that helps not words. In my case I have a business to run. My work with the animals is completely voluntary, I fit it in amongst everything else and do the best I can from a health point of view. I am grateful that the help of C.A.R.E and Tierhilfe-Korfu has made such a difference in giving many of my dogs a home.
I am looking forward to next year when its easier to adopt and take to UK as most of our tourism is UK based in Sidari, I already have started plans for that...
Message posted by geordielass on 15 October 2011 at 10:27am - IP Logged
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Geordie lass, do hope you manage to get the dog to Germany!
It would be good though if the various organisations could link up sometimes, my friend from The Ark often says how good that would be as a united group stands much more chance of being listened to by the local bureaucrats and it would also show that there are a number of Greeks involved too which always helps, but agree, action is what is important.
You are right though, attitudes have changed a lot for the better in the last 30 years, but seeing the number of fluffy little white dogs abandoned, presumably when their owners discover that they are not just cute toys but need training and being cared for there is still a long way to go!
The good thing in Holland is that the animals are never actually owned by their new family, the animal welfare organisation monitors (as Graham T-A does also) to ensure that all is satisfactory, an extra safeguard for their future happiness.
Dasia- do not think you would have to worry about being landed with a dog if transiting, certainly in Holland a representative of the animal welfare organisation that the 'Corfu end' is working with is at the airport as well as the adopting/fostering family, sure the same goes for Germany
Message posted by Angela T-A (Agni Animal Welfare Fund) on 15 October 2011 at 6:28pm - IP Logged
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Jan - I dont know why you think that the charity organisations don't work together. When necessary or when it is required of us we often help each other out. Its like Geordielass says above there isnt time for sitting down and talking about everything its a case of just getting on with the job required at the time and if help is needed then we ask for it.
I know the lady you refer to at the Ark and I know what she does and how hard she works for the animals too. We all contribute in our different ways.
If you want proof of our working together try reading my string about the help we needed with some cats in Dassia.
I refer to the LAST post in the string. (Link below)
Angela T-A please look at my original post- I quote "I know that there have been many occasions where one organisation has helped another, but in the interests of efficiency, and the animals, surely a more regular stream of communication could help."
I know you all work together but a united approach to the authorities, particularly one which contains as much Greek representation as possible (no-one likes being criticised by outsiders!) would surely be beneficial for all concerned, especially the animals. I am also sure there are times that one organisation would have been able to help another, had they known the situation (geordielass;s comment about people returning to UK who might have been able to help with The Ark's dog is a case in point).
To me it seems strange that on a small island there are so many different organisations, and having been involved with a number of charitable efforts I know that the successful ones are the ones with a broad base, rather than those relying on a few, and sometimes only one person.
Everyone works so hard, no criticism at all, just a suggestion that might help to improve things further, and possibly lessen the strain on some of the hard working overstretched people.
Message posted by doug on 16 October 2011 at 10:31am - IP Logged
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Jan
The idea of a collective organisation would be ideal .Unfortunately there can be disputes within organisations as regards the running of the charity. I agree that the animals should be the priority but different personalities within any group or business have there different ideas of how the job should be done. All these people are working voluntary and doing the best they can with the facilities they have.The ARK does have Greek people at the top of the organisation some very dedicated. All we can do is help the different organisations with fund raising events and perhaps help foster some animals awaiting homes as there is never enough space for all of them in the current organisations on Corfu. There are also a lot of individuals like georgielass who do the best to take care of strays. When I lived in Corfu I helped out with animal charity events and feeding stray dogs as do many on the island. Let's all do the best we can for the animals be it dogs cats or donkeys. Good luck to all with your efforts.
Message posted by geordielass on 16 October 2011 at 1:54pm - IP Logged
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doug is right that individuals in foreign countries often contribute in their own way to helping with animal welfare whether its from fundraising to feeding animals in their own area. Being British I am lucky to come from a country with the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the world (R.S.P.C.A) which started in the early 1800s, yet even now after 200 years is still dependent on voluntary contributions. There is no state funding. (an interesting piece of information is that the N.S.P.C.C was formed later and the R.S.P.C.A helped them.)
Back to my subject, there are many ways to distract me. Four years ago realising the changes that had come about by the legislation of 2003 I dedicated many man hours to finding out what could be achieved in my council area. only councils could get funding not private organisations or individuals. Very few councils in Greece have acted on the legislation and in most instances sterilisation programmes\government shelters will only rehome in Greece. As there are not enough homes in Greece, achieving a government shelter could mean the dogs staying there till they die. There are Greek people in my area who care about animals and slowly we are making progress but some have criticized the homing overseas and sterilisation, when I explain that the bigger countries in Europe have bigger populations so why not, they realise its just a matter of being sure that wherever you rehome the people are going to care for the animal.
The real problem that we have here is funding and thats why each organisation trys its best to raise funds. My fund raising is mainly in summer amongst holidaymakers but slowly Greek people are buying calendars raising money to sterilise animals outside their hotels and this is a positive development. It would be virtually impossible in this extremely difficult economic climate to expect very much from the local government when there are such cutbacks for health and education, never mind in other areas.
It is wrong also to believe that there is not communication between animal welfare organisations as I have seen that it does happen. But it is better to put away the rose coloured spectacles if anyone believes that if everyone sits at a table to chat that all our problems will go away. Some people are out there are tending for the animals. The help they need is money to pay for drugs, shelter and neutering. The R.S.P.C.A. still has little old ladies leaving money to charity. We have more difficulties here as animal charities are in early stages. All the people I deal with in animal rescue have one thing in common, they have passion in what they are doing. So each stumbling block is a challenge. If your out there and you live in Corfu try fostering an animal. Find ways to help to raise funds for dogs and cats in your area. Actions speak louder than words. If your on holiday find out if there is any organisation in that area and take them flea preperations, worming cream and tablets. DO something positive if you care.
Message posted by julesx2 on 16 October 2011 at 5:12pm - IP Logged
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julesx2
Very good post jeni, very well put and I totally agree.julesxxx
Message posted by janmanessi on 16 October 2011 at 6:30pm - IP Logged
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geordielass- truly no rose coloured spectacles- but a united approach to authority might help sometimes, and information sharing is not a bad thing- I know it happens now often, but a fortnightly phone call or similar would not take up too much time, and now with emails communication is much easier.
Anyway, we all know that there are a lot of people out there doing their best, and that is fantastic.
Message posted by geordielass on 16 October 2011 at 7:06pm - IP Logged
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jan for someone(who in your own words) is not connected to any animal organisation you seem very passionate about every one who helps animals getting together on a regular basis. I know that already happens with quite a few of the organisations and I think they are quite capable of doing this without your suggestion.
As for united approach to authority can you be more specific at what you want from the authorities as when I investigated this at great length, I found it was only local authorities (who did not have manpower to chase after funding) who were legally able to set up prorammes\shelters (please re-read my last post so I do not bore everyone by repeating myself).
Message posted by janmanessi on 16 October 2011 at 7:28pm - IP Logged
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geordie lass- this only began because of your comment that had you known about a dog needing to go to the north of England you might have been able to help- which led me to think that if the organisations regularly exchanged info. this situation might have been able to be avoided in future.
Please don't think I am critical of any person or organisation, everyone does wonderful work I know.
re approaches to authority= there are animal cruelty laws on the statute book which are rarely enforced- for instance: chaining an animal inhumanely. If the council could understand that this, and other illegal behaviour, actually puts tourists off visiting Corfu they might try and do something about it.
Message posted by geordielass on 16 October 2011 at 7:57pm - IP Logged
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I am not an animal organisation I am an individual. I usually go on the computer once a day so if i see any thread that interests me I reply and try to help. They are mostly animal related subjects. If someone from the ark had appealed for transport for animals earlier in the month I would have asked around and contacted them. I only put appeals on behalf of my dogs when I have exhausted the normal channels as I find Tierhilfe and C.A.R.E. are very successful in homing my dogs.
The council do understand that laws are not being enforced not just ones that involve animals. They also know that it affects tourism but unfortunately we are very far down on their agenda at the moment.so we do what we can with what we've got.
Message posted by janmanessi on 16 October 2011 at 8:15pm - IP Logged
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Not disagreeing at all with what you say, but individuals or small organisations will have far less chance of influencing the council than a large one, that was my only point.
Message posted by Lavinia on 16 October 2011 at 8:53pm - IP Logged
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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
Message posted by dazzalad on 18 October 2011 at 1:00pm - IP Logged
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As for anyone else who wants to help, why not pop into Sidari, have a coffee/cake etc at Jeni's cafe and a chat with her, leave your spare change for the animals, buy a couple of calendars (as we do every year we visit), which in turn helps Jeni pay for the neutering of the cats and dogs that she gets no funding for but does it out of love!
See you next year Jeni.
Message posted by Mrs Mushypea on 18 October 2011 at 2:25pm - IP Logged
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Message posted by julesx2 on 18 October 2011 at 6:50pm - IP Logged
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julesx2
A happy ending for Sadie!!
I hope things will become easier and cheaper to get dogs into the UK in 2012 and some lucky one will get homes much quicker!!julesxx
Message posted by sheree on 19 October 2011 at 9:36am - IP Logged
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Most of all well done overseas charities that help our dogs like Tierhilfe-Korfu.
Next year homing in UK will of course make a big difference especially in holiday resorts where holidaymakers fall in love with a special dog.
Message posted by julesx2 on 19 October 2011 at 5:47pm - IP Logged
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julesx2
Jeni, although the six months wait will dissapear do you think airlines will bring prices down at all? julesxx
Message posted by geordielass on 23 October 2011 at 10:22am - IP Logged
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Most of this is payed to the agent who dealt with all the arrangements for her flight. I would think all in all we spent about £1,400 getting her back here but I tell you what she was worth every single penny. Lots of people are shocked at the amount we paid for what is really a mongrel dog but they are soon put in their place by me, she is an angel and has added so much happiness to our lives. It was the best £1400 I have ever spent and would do it all over again if had to..julesxxx
