FEEDBACK FROM ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST MARCIE ON SERIFOS, GR
Our experience shows: Mass neutering campaigns on islands are extremely effective. This is proven by the positive results of our campaigns, as this is the only way to limit the number of animals on the islands.
If you follow our projects, you will know that Vets in Action have been carrying out neutering campaigns for cats on the island of Serifos for four years.
We would like to share with you the feedback of a resident of this island who, in her own words, reflects the impact of Vets in Action on this island.
These actions are clearly preventing the deaths of thousands of kittens. We are stopping the birthing process and preventing most of them from starving to death or dying miserably from disease.
We are very grateful to our donors, as it is only through their support that we are able to fund the neutering of stray animals. We would like to thank everyone who recognises the need for this measure and shares it with us.
Feedback:
Cats, cats but fewer cats! Efforts to sterilize cats in Serifos are proving very effective thanks to the Vets in Action team and local volunteers.
I have spent countless summer months in Serifos helping mama cats bring up their kittens. It seemed there were three or four litters of four to five kittens each summer just in my area. I tried make sure the mamas were fed well and had everything they needed to nurse their babies.
I had to leave mid-summer to return to work with mamas’ and kittens’ fates unknown until I returned in winter. Unfortunately, many of the kittens died from health problems or from starvation when food became scarce after the cat-friendly summer crowds had left.
Vets in Action = Fewer Cats in Serifos
I’m so happy to say that for the past few summers, there have been very few new kittens in this area. In fact, last year, the only litter born here was from a farm cat to brought her kittens to the village for food.
This is mostly due to the AMAZING team from Vets in Action, who visited again from May 25-29, 2024 to neuter island cats (and take care of some cat health issues if they had time). Maria (cat trapper extraordinaire) and Alexis (master cat trapper) helped us catch 113 cats.
Vets Constantine and Stoyan did the surgeries, while Kyriakos made sure that surgeries were organized and documented. Zoi, president of Vets in Action in Greece, works closely with the Town Hall and volunteers to ensure that humane treatment of cats continues all year long.
Of course, it takes a village and there are several local volunteers who help out year round and especially during Vets in Action neutering campaigns. Without local volunteers, and the support of the Town Hall, we would surely be overrun with cats.
Read more about the work of Vets in Action in Serifos here:
https://mmretiresingreece.com/how-to-humanely-stabilize-serifos-cat-population/
Published June 3, 2024
Last updated on June 8, 2024
