On Samos, as opposed to many other parts of greece, there has been a shelter for dogs for some years. It was run by the local authority of TEDK (Topiki Enosi Dimon & Kinotiton).
However, the shelter did not live up to European standards.
A lot of basics were missing here that the authorities are not able to provide due to lack of personnel and money.
Because the dogs were not even cleaned and fed on Sundays we decided to take over the work - and that's how it all started.
Now, after more than two years, the place has improved a lot: There is a sun roof, the cages are fixed, we even started to build an extension with a small quarantaine station to take care of the ill dogs.
Yet, there is a lot for us to do.
Due to changes in greek law and local political circumstances the TEDK is no longer responsible for this place. This means that they are so helpful to voluntarily pay for the dog food but legally at the moment nobody is responsible for this place.
There are 12 cages with some 16 sq.m., each populated with 2-6 dogs.
Each cage has a hut, however, the door is not protected against the strong southern winds that bring a lot of cold and rain in winter time.
There is no heating and no electricity.
Water is pumped by a generator from a nearby water reservoir that has to be filled frequently.
The pump is old and often broken, so the cages cannot be cleaned easily.
Another big problem remaining is the situation of the shelter directly adjacent to the community dumpyard.
Naturally this is quite out of the way for everybody, so even many locals don't know where to find it (there are no signs).
Therefore, as for now not many dogs are taken out of this shelter to be given a new home.
This leads to an increase in population so the shelter is now alreay working on its limits....
|
)