Month: January 2014

Rethymnon Municipal Veterinary Clinic to open in the Spring

Animal Welfare for strays on Crete took a giant step forward with the announcement of certification of the Municipal Veterinary Clinic signed on the 28th January 2014 by the Mayor of Rethymnon Mr George C. Marinakis. The clinic premises are situated in Zouridi & were donated, restored & refurbished for veterinary use by the Municipality of Rethymnon.

Arche Noah Kreta president Mr Thomas Busch has been invited to staff the clinic; initially Ms Ines Leeuw DVM will be the resident veterinarian with dedicated veterinary nurses. It will be available to those who work in local Animal Welfare Organisations or volunteers & individuals who care for animals, the prime purpose of the clinic is for neutering strays.

Opening of the clinic is now delayed due to final certification needing to be issued by the Hellenic Veterinary Association (H.V.A.). Let us hope this impasse is resolved quickly so the vital work of treating & reducing the population of stray animals on Crete can begin.

Arche Noah Kreta, Mrs Nellie Zisimopoulou from the Animal Welfare Society of Rethymnon,  Mrs Anastasia Bompolaki, President PanHellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation have all been tireless in their pursuit of establishing free veterinary clinics for stray animals on Crete.

Nine lives but only three legs

Katy has been very fortunate to find a new home here in Crete, making the most of it after a long journey…    Saturday 25/01/14

This poor girl is approximately 6 months old but very small for her age, she arrived on a dark wet night in December after being found by the roadside with her back legs bloody & having to drag herself along. There were no vets available but Cassie valiantly scooped her up & brought her to us for emergency care.

Shocked from pain & blood loss Katy had a small fracture (we later found on x-ray) of the pelvis, her back leg & the base of her tail had foul infected wounds, the left leg open to the bone. A critical issue was that she had already lost the left front leg in the past! if we did not stop the infection amputation of a second limb was not viable Katy would have to be euthanised.

Our vet & volunteer assistants skilfully cut away the infected tissue on her leg & the wounds were cleaned & sutured; she needed twice daily antibiotic injections, anti-inflammatory & pain relief drugs & wound cleaning & cage rest was all we could now we hoped for the best.

Now 6 weeks later she is helping dismantle the xmas tree & bounding about the garden! Her wounds are completely healed but she has a small limp due to muscle damage on the back leg & is a little clumsy which may or may not resolve in time.

Some psychological trauma also remains & she is slightly nervous outdoors with strangers but she is gradually becoming more confident. She is very mischievous & talkative but also affectionate loving other cats & humans she is quite capable of being a lap cat.

Katy needs a safe garden without busy roads, to be kept in at night & protected from other animals that may attack her, we suspect she was savaged by a roaming dog.

We need a special home for Katy Kitten, can any of you give her the love & attention this valiant little girl needs?