A report of our boards visit to Lesvos.

Transcription

1 Newsletter October 2013 Friends of Canilos, Here our latest newsletter with the following topics: A report of our boards visit to Lesvos, Update of the education project on Lesvos. Paula live on air on two radio stations. Final word from our chairman. A report of our boards visit to Lesvos. Dear donors, volunteers and other interested parties. In the first week of October 2013, I, along with Marlène, who I can always rely on, spend a week on Lesvos to see how things are working out after our joint efforts over the past year. It was an impressive and emotional week... First, some practical issues were discussed with local veterinarians. It is important that there are good agreements on the state of affairs and the expenses regarding the chipping, testing for diseases and neutering of the barrel dogs. We talked about the approach (such as maybe engaging foreign vets to release pressure on the island vets), but also on the use of work areas and operating rooms. The dialogue and cooperation with local veterinarians is obviously of great importance, and clarity about who does what under what circumstances and for what price is essential. Great that the communication with the doctors was excellent and they are willing to contribute. The contacts with government and police are also running fairly smoothly, thanks to the mediation of our Greek volunteers. 1

2 And then of course the essence of everything: how are things in the field, how are the living conditions of "our" barrel dogs. To experience this myself, I joined Stavros [our ranger] for two days. With my Dutch expectations and optimism the first meetings were slightly disappointing: we still saw barrel dogs and even in places where they were previously taken away!! At the end of the day I couldn t hold back my tears.. My big good-natured Greek companion, now also with wet eyes, began to talk to me and showed me that there was a lot achieved. Many dogs were still chained, but were now being cared for and had shade and shelter. Of course there are also owners who have taken away the dogs and placed scarecrows, cordoned the road with mesh or flapping plastic to keep the sheep in place. Rome and Paris were also not built in a day! And of course, in the worst cases they will bring in the police and authorities. This too will eventually going to have a positive effect. The second day ended a lot more optimistic than the first day, and again I became 100% convinced of the purpose of our actions. 2

3 And that was confirmed later in the week when Marlène and I spend a day in the mountains, to see how the education program in the schools is functioning. Update education project. Zina s approach and that of her team is simply professional and passionate. In a playful, but insistent way children are involved in the wellbeing of the (domestic) animals on their island. And once again it is clear to us that we also needs a cultural change, which does not occur in a few months, but should start with these young children After our visit, I received the following message from Zina: Since last school year the educating team of KIVOTOS-Mytilini-Greece visited 72 primary and kindergarten schools in the city of Mytilini and the villages of Lesvos except these in far distance. About children 5-9 years old watched the project referring to the needs of animals, the behavior against them and about the stray dogs and cats. This school year we have to visit the older children of years old in primary schools with a new project available to their age. And after January 2013 we'll go to the high schools of the city and villages. Our purpose is to convince children to love and respect animals 3

4 The week ended with a meeting with all parties involved, where we got the greatest compliment. According to our Greek volunteers, who have been fighting (in a positive way) for the welfare of the animals for years, there is tremendous progress since the start of Canilos. A greater acknowledgment of everyone's efforts is not imaginable. And also important, this motivates us to stay on the path that we have chosen to reach our purpose: A BARREL DOG FREE LESVOS!!! Paula live on air on two radio stations. Twice before I was able to tell my story about Canilos and its purpose, the projects on Lesvos and of course my Canilos thrift shop in Gulpen on Marcel Franssen s show on Falcon Radio. Thanks to these radio broadcasts I have received secondhand stuff from various people to sell in our shop. And also because of this airtime, new volunteers signed up to help out in the shop. In addition, I am invited to come again to talk about my trip to Lesvos. During our working week on Lesvos I was given the opportunity to go on a live radio broadcast October 4th [animal day] on L1 (regional channel Limburg) with Ger Hamilton, to tell about our work on Lesvos. This was a very exciting event! 4

5 Final word from our President. Looking back and looking forward to Looking back to the almost ended year 2013 the Board notes that big steps have been made in pursuit to make Lesvos the first barrel dog free island of Greece. Through collaboration with local organizations and deployment of a highly qualified employee, a big part of the barrel dogs are now mapped and owners are being informed about their responsibility to the dog. This would have never succeeded without the help of you all, neither without the financial contributions that have been donated. The Board of Canilos wishes you a happy and healthy 2014 and would like to thank you for the support we have received from you. For the coming year it is our intention to diminish the suffering of the barrel dogs that stay on Lesvos and to give them a better life. The board of Canilos hope they can remain counting on your support. On behalf of the Board of Canilos, Gerhard Caubo President You don t want to receive this newsletter anymore? If you want to stop receiving this newsletter just send us an at info@canilos.org Do you want to donate? You can by using PayPal. You can find the link here: Or fill in this form and send it to: Canilos Animal Foundation Att. Treasurer Johanna Naber erf HD Dordrecht The Netherlands 5

6 Support Canilos and together we will make sure that the Lesvos barreldog will be something from the past. O I will become a donor for Canilos (minimum 5,00 per month) With an amount of *:.,.. per month.,.. per quarter of a year.,.. per 6 months.,.. per year Date of issue* Accountnumber *.. IBAN* Your data: O Mr. O Mrs. O Family Initials*.. Prepostition.... Surname* Date of birth.. Street*. Number*.... Additive..... Zipcode*.. City*... *.. Telephone/mobile.. Signature*.... * Required fields. O I will give my bank the order to Direct Debit the Animal Foundation Canilos for above. O I wish to receive the digital newsletter. Website: info@canilos.org subscription CoC Bankaccount TRIODOS Adres of bank: P.O Box 55, 3700 AB Zeist, Netherlands IBAN NL45TRIO BIC TRIONL2U ANBI foundation according rules Dutch Tax Service 6