Despite the “assurances” of the Mayor of Agios Nikolaos, Mr. Antonis Zervos, only one month ago, that he would find funding for the basic supplies (water, food and drugs), for the dogs trapped in the “unofficial council shelter”, nothing has really changed for Marios who is the only person that has stood by those animals for over two years now, 7 days a week, 52 weeks, a year come rain or shine.
Fonien.gr went up to the shelter yesterday to see what had happened since the meeting at the Town Hall and Thanos Korobilias recorded an interview with Marios.
Marios does not speak english, the shelter is not his, he has to work to earn a living for his family, he doesn’t have a paypal account for donations, he refuses point blank to take cash from anyone. He is simply doing “his bit” for the strays of the area, as a volunteer for the council shelter. It is not his responsibility, nor is he required to do anything of what he is doing but he continues to struggle, to do the basics at least, even at a personal cost to himself, because he cares.
He has one very important request to make to all residents of the area, even if they can’t help in any other way – if you can no longer take care of your dog, for whatever reason, it is completely understandable but, PLEASE DO NOT JUST THROW IT INSIDE THE SHELTER!!! It will more than likely die a horrendous death, as it is attacked by the existing dogs in “the pack”.
Also, that nobody should throw food, (bones, left over food), over the fence, because this also tends to cause serious fights amongst the dogs – it is better if they leave anything they have brought, somewhere outside the shelter instead.
In his plea, Marios is not asking for blankets or toys or any other “luxury extras” for these animals.
He needs food for them, he needs vaccines and treatments for fleas and ticks, he needs water, he needs to get some of the remaining females who haven’t yet been neutered to a vet for their operations.
He needs the help of the Mayor, but he is clearly not going to get that, so our help is crucial in order to give these animals a chance of surviving long enough, in those totally inappropriate conditions, until one day, hopefully, someone will offer them a home.
He needs the help of other rescue organisations locally, who have more power to create the interest of people wanting to donate.Please make a plea, not on behalf of Marios, but on behalf of the dogs he cares for.
He hasn’t got loads of people behind him, who regularly donate, he is not in a position to organise fundraising events, he hasn’t got a wishlist on Amazon. What he does have is an agreement all over town with shops that sell dog food, with chemists who can supply him with the vaccines and other drugs required – especially at this time of year – he knows all of the vets and has no preferences for where he will take the animals for treatment.
All he needs is for you to leave money at one of these places and he will go in and pick up his supplies…it’s that simple, but it’s not happening. The animals are suffering enough, please don’t let them suffer anymore.
And one final note of advice from Marios; Do not give money to any “group” or “organisation” in the area unless you have proof of where that money is going – some of those involved in animal welfare “activities”, are apparently not exactly what they appear to be.
Please do whatever you can!!
