GENERAL |
STERILISING |
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WINTER FEEDING |
HOW CAN I HELP? |
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ON HOLIDAY |
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ADOPTION |
CONTACT |
General:
TO THE TOPWhat is Cat Rescue Samos?
Cat Rescue Samos is the international trade name used by the two officially registered charities: Samos Katzenhilfe e.V. in Germany and the Cat Rescue Samos Foundation in the Netherlands.
Who are you?
Our team consists of unpaid volunteers, helpers and cat lovers from Greece and the rest of Europe.Our work is 100% supported by donations.
Where are you?
Our statutory seats are in the Netherlands and Germany, our work is focused on Greece, mainly on the Aegian island of Samos. But we also have close cooperation with our sister organizations in Greece.
Where is Samos?
Samos is a Greek island in the east of the Aegean Sea, it is the 9th largest populated island in Greece. The island is 43 km. long and 13 km. wide.
What are the goals of Cat Rescue Samos?
We have three main goals: sterilization of cats, both males and cats, medical support for sick and injured cats and winter food. We also have secondary goals such as working with the local people and the local authorities in Samos.
How many street cats are there on Samos?
Some estimates of the number come to 30,000 street and stray cats. The many years of uncontrolled reproduction and a lack of veterinary support have caused street cats to be found all over the island.
How do the street cats survive?
Many street cats are born, live and die in a life of uncertainty without care or food. In the history of Greece, it was normal to see cats living off waste bins, looking for food wherever possible with often long periods of time without food or drink.Our goal is to give these animals a chance for a better life and health, especially in the longer term.
Are all cats on Samos street cats?
Certainly not. There are many cat lovers among the population of Samos who keep cats as pets both indoors and outdoors. It is now also legally required in Greece for cat owners to have their animals chipped; so we always check for the presence of a microchip when a cat is offered to us.
I see cats on Samos with a cut off tip of the left ear, why is that, is it fighting?
This means that the cat has been spayed / neutered. It is now standard practice to identify those cats. It is done during surgery and does not cause pain or discomfort to the cats. It does prevent them from being caught again for sterilization.
Sterilising:
TO THE TOPHow many street cats are spayed annually by Cat Rescue Samos?
We strive to sterilize at least 700 street cats annually. We state the exact number of sterilizations in our annual report every year. The vast majority of these live in the villages of Samos and are captured and returned to their homes after the operation, the so-called TNR system: Trap, Neuter, Return. These cats can be recognized by the “left ear snap”, which is done during surgery and does not cause any pain or injury to the cat. This allows us and the locals to recognize the cats that have already been operated on.
Do you sterilize male and female cats?
Yes, but we do not sterilize cats that are too young, sick, weakened, injured or pregnant.
I live on Samos and want to have my cat spayed, can you help?
Unfortunately, no. Our goal is to care for the street cats, own pets must be treated by the local veterinarians.
Who perform the operations?
All veterinary work is performed by qualified veterinarians and supported by veterinary assistants from Europe and Samos. Our regular volunteers do not intervene.We work year-round with visiting, volunteer veterinarians from all over Europe who come to Samos 2 to 3 times a year (own expense). We also do, if our funds allow, sterilizations at the local vet, Adonis.
I live in Samos and want to neuter the street cats in my neighborhood.
Yes please! Let us know where you live and we will try to help.
Can I borrow catch cages from you?
Unfortunately, there are those who have borrowed cages and have not returned them. Many of our professional cages are very expensive and are paid for by our donors, so we do not lend equipment.
Winter Feeding:
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Why do you only feed the cats in winter?
In the period from May to October, Samos is busy with visitors and tourists, many holidaymakers are often seen with bags of cat food! Every local business and tavern is open and the street cats easily find (er) food and water. Many local people also have a summer house and feed the cats.However, in winter it is very difficult for street cats to find food and water; many businesses and taverns have closed and people have left.Then we try to bring as much dry food to as many places as possible, as far as the donations allow.
Where do you feed?
We feed where there are street cats; often next to waste containers in the villages. We call this our “food stations”.Ideally, we would like to make this into official feeding places, with signs to indicate this, but currently a small minority of the population could poison the cats. We give the food in dry places, away from busy places or roads, it is not always possible to place feed troughs.We do not feed on private land, in front of the houses or in dangerous areas where the kitten could be injured.
How can I help with winter feedings?
If you live in Samos, visit Samos or are on holiday there in winter, let us know and we can tell if there is a “food station” near you.
How can I help?
TO THE TOPHow can I make a donation?
We always need donations to do our job. You can make a donation via Paypal or via a bank transfer (click HERE to go to the donation page).
Which medicines can I send you?
We have our own channels to buy medicines and supplies for the sterilization campaigns very cheaply, and then we can also purchase the right means and the right quantities. Other medicines and the like are not so useful.
Do you still need volunteers?
Always! We welcome everyone who wants to help in our organizations in the Netherlands and Germany. On Samos volunteers are also needed for sterilization actions, winter feeding and the like. If you plan to come to Samos and want to help, if only for a few days, let us know and we will be able to explain the options.
What can I do for you in my own country?
Tell all your family and friends about our work, share our stories and information from Facebook through Social Media, share our website! You may even have the opportunity to organize a marketing event (on a Christmas market, for example). Contact us by EMAIL!
On Holiday:
TO THE TOP
Can / may I feed the cats in the local restaurants and taverns?
We strongly advise not to feed in restaurants or taverns and not to drop food on the floor. Take your cat food to a quiet area away from the restaurant. Remember that various human foods such as onions, tomatoes, garlic and herbs can be harmful to cats. Think also of fresh water.
Can I bring a cat in my hotel room?
Certainly not! Although the cat will have a good time, it will make the owner of the complex very angry. Allergies from visitors who come after you can also cause problems.
I saw a cat injured in an accident.
Our volunteers cannot provide a 24-hour emergency service. If you see an injured cat try to take it to the local vet.
I found kittens without a mother and they scream.
Leave the kittens alone at first; it is quite possible that the mother is hunting or looking for food. Touching or moving them can be a reason for the mother to shed the kittens. Do not let children play with the kittens.Re-assess the situation after 24 hours, it may be that the mother is back.
I have seen a cat with damaged or infected eyes.
Many street cats that live in a large group will regularly have eye infections. The treatment is simple, if that can happen on a daily basis, but if a street cat is wild or aggressive it is not possible to help in those situations. Simple eye drops (Sobrex) are cheaply available from pharmacies. If it is possible for you and the cat is calm, it can help and cure the eye infection.
How do I know if a street cat has been spayed?
Street cats that have been sterilized by us have a left ear point “cut” (the point is cut right). It is customary to do this (under anesthesia) on sterilized street cats to avoid repeated operations! Usually these are the cats that look most healthy.
Who will feed the cats at my hotel or apartment when I leave?
During the summer, many hotel guests feed the cats, but remember that not everyone is a cat lover, some people may also be allergic. We are unable to take over these power supplies.Ask the hotel owner if they want to be good enough to feed the cats when you leave, you may even be able to buy some cat food for this purpose
Adoption:
TO THE TOP
I have become fond of a cat and would like to take it home.
Yes, you can, but the vaccination against Rabies (rabies) must be given at least 21 days before departure. If the cat has been vaccinated before, it can go home with you. If the cat has not been vaccinated before, the cat will have to travel at a later date.
Can I take home every street cat I see on Samos?
Certainly NOT… many cats in the villages and towns can be pets of someone.
At what age can cats be taken abroad?
Cats older than 4 months can go abroad, provided they have a vaccination, chip and passport.
What is an “Animal Passport”?
A pet passport is a legal requirement for all pets traveling in the EU and beyond. Cats from Samos to other countries must have an official animal passport before traveling. The passport contains the number of the microchip, the vaccinations administered, examinations and treatments.
Will the microchip also be valid in my country?
Yes, but we do recommend that you show the cat to your own vet to have the microchip number registered in your name.
How does my cat travel on an airplane?
Cats can travel in a special “pet area” in the luggage hold where heating and air is present, it is dark there. That is good for the cats, they are much less stressed. Traveling in the cabin itself can be stressful. Some passengers may also have objections or allergies, we are not in favor of this way of traveling. Some airlines do not bring cats, unfortunately we cannot do anything about that.
How much does it cost to bring a cat?
There are costs at the local vet for animal passport, chip and vaccination (at least 3 weeks before departure!) About 150 euros, flight costs (varies between 70 and 300 euros per company) and the transport cage (about 20 euros).
Contact:
TO THE TOP
How can I get in touch with you?
You can send us a message via email: info@catrescuesamos.com.
Do you have a phone number?
No, all contacts are initially sent by email. Can you call me? Unfortunately not, if our work is paid for by donating to the cats and we cannot afford to make international calls. We therefore ask for your understanding that we can only offer communication via email.