Greek Animal Rescue

For 15 years, VOCAL (Voice of the Cats' Alliance) has been quietly caring for Crete's forgotten cats. ❤️🐈

Crete is home to many dedicated independent rescuers, each doing everything they can for the cats in their own communities. Together, they care for hundreds of animals every single day, often with little recognition and limited resources.

That's why, thanks to the generosity of Greek Animal Rescue supporters, we've been able to send another delivery of cat food to our friends at VOCAL in north-east Crete, helping ensure there is always food available for the many cats who depend on them.

As always, food is only one part of the picture. While it keeps cats healthy today, GAR also funds neutering programmes across Greece, working alongside dedicated local rescuers to create a future where fewer kittens are born into life on the streets.

Jil Child from VOCAL sent this lovely message after the delivery arrived: "Thank you so much to GAR and your supporters. The extra food makes such a difference to the cats in our care and to the volunteers who look after them."

Every bag of food we send is possible because of your support. It doesn't just fill hungry tummies; it helps dedicated rescuers across Greece continue the work they never give up on.

Together, we're responding today while neutering for tomorrow. 💙🇬🇷

More than 50 dogs. One volunteer making a difference every single day. ❤️🐾

Today we're introducing you to Sofia Krommydaki, who cares for more than 50 dogs in Moschato, on the outskirts of Athens.

Among them are many Greek Shepherds – Greece's traditional livestock guardian dogs. Bred to protect flocks in remote mountain landscapes, they are powerful, intelligent and deeply loyal animals. Sadly, far too many end up abandoned, neglected or simply forgotten.

Large dogs face the same dangers from fleas, ticks and tick-borne diseases as any other dog, but protecting them is considerably more expensive. That's where GAR supporters stepped in.

Thanks to your generosity, Sofia has received Bravecto parasite treatments to help keep the dogs in her care healthy throughout the long Greek summer.

Sofia sent us this message: "Your support is truly meaningful and greatly appreciated. I would like to sincerely thank you for your valuable contribution and kindness."

Every treatment helps prevent unnecessary suffering. Every donation means another dog receives the care they deserve. Thank you to Sofia for everything she does, and thank you to every GAR supporter who makes this possible.

Protecting animals from suffering today while building a future with fewer strays tomorrow. That's the difference your support makes.

Two wonderful supporters making a real difference. 💙🇬🇷

A huge thank you to Sharon Hopkins and Julie Henretty, who recently organised a fundraising stall and street collection in Witney, Oxfordshire.

Together they raised a fantastic £226 for Greek Animal Rescue.

Sharon told us: "We had an enjoyable day, the weather was kind and we met lots of lovely people. We decided to have a stall selling gifts as well as holding a street collection, and it proved very popular with the public."

Behind every fundraising table is someone who has given up their own weekend to help animals they'll probably never meet. It takes planning, organisation and a lot of dedication, and we're incredibly grateful to Sharon and Julie for their continued support over so many years.

The £226 they raised will go exactly where it's needed most - helping GAR fund vital neutering programmes, veterinary treatment, food and emergency welfare support for stray dogs and cats across Greece.

To Sharon and Julie, thank you for flying the flag for GAR and for showing the people of Witney what our supporters can achieve together. We are so grateful.

Responding today, neutering for tomorrow. 💙🇬🇧🇬🇷🐾

Protecting every resident at Vrouva Farm ❤️🐾🐴

Today we're travelling to the beautiful island of Aegina, just off the coast of Athens, where our Summer Parasite Treatment Programme is helping one very special sanctuary prepare for the long Greek summer.

Vrouva Farm is home to far more than cats and dogs. Horses, donkeys and many other rescued animals all share this peaceful sanctuary, cared for by a small team of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to give every animal a safe place to live.

As temperatures rise, so do the risks from fleas, ticks and other parasites. Thanks to the generosity of Greek Animal Rescue supporters, Vrouva Farm has been able to buy the treatments needed to keep their animals healthy and comfortable through the months ahead.

Alexia sent us this lovely message:

"Dear GAR, A beautiful spring has ended. It brought fresh grass, flowers and sunshine, but also fleas, ticks and many other parasites that could have made our animals suffer. Thanks to your kind support, spring found us prepared with the parasite treatments that you helped us buy.

"Our cats, our dogs, our horses, our donkeys, and all of us grateful volunteers at Vrouva Farm send you a big thank you for once again being there to help us help our animals. May summer find your team and all the GAR supporters in good health and good spirits." Alexia, Vrouva Farm

Whether they bark, purr, bray or neigh, every animal deserves to be protected from preventable suffering.

Thank you for helping us support dedicated rescuers like Alexia, who care for animals of every kind, every single day. ❤️

Little Kira's second chance ❤️🐈

When we visited Aisopos Animal Welfare Society in Kavala, northern Greece last October, we met a fantastic small team of volunteers quietly changing the lives of animals who had nowhere else to turn.

Little Kira is one of them.

Just seven months old, Kira was brought to the vet with a devastating tail injury. The damage was so severe that part of her tail had lost its blood supply, become necrotic and could no longer be saved.

Thanks to the support of GAR donors, we were able to cover the cost of the surgery she urgently needed.

The damaged section of her tail was amputated to remove the source of pain and prevent infection. While she was under anaesthetic, Kira was also spayed, ensuring she won't contribute to the cycle of unwanted litters that keeps so many kittens on the streets.

After surgery, Kira stayed in hospital for pain relief, antibiotics and careful monitoring before beginning her recovery.

And today...
Just look at her.
A bright-eyed young cat with her whole life ahead of her, safe in a loving forever home.

This is why GAR's medical support programme exists. It gives rescuers across Greece the confidence to say "yes" when an injured animal needs urgent treatment, knowing they won't have to face the veterinary bill alone.

It's also why every medical case is an opportunity to neuter whenever possible, helping prevent the next generation of unwanted kittens.

Responding today. Neutering for tomorrow.

Thank you for making stories like Kira's possible. ❤️

A fabulous afternoon... and an amazing result! ☀️🐾

We're delighted to share that Sunday's Desperate Greekies & Greek Animal Rescue Cream Tea raised an incredible £1,141!

Every single pound will go directly towards funding stray animal neutering programmes in Greece, helping prevent unwanted litters and reducing suffering before it begins.

One of the things we're most proud of at GAR is the community we've built over the years.

Yesterday was a wonderful reminder that we're so much more than a rescue charity. We saw adopters catching up, supporters meeting for the first time, volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes and, of course, plenty of much-loved Greek dogs enjoying all the attention. It's these friendships and shared purpose that make days like this so special.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, enjoyed a cream tea, bought raffle tickets, browsed the stalls or simply spent the afternoon with us. Your support really does make a difference.

A very special thank you must also go to Michele, Val, Dave, Mel, Megan, Lisa, Lauren, Sue and Suzanne. Events like this don't happen by accident. They take weeks of planning, generosity and hard work, and we couldn't do it without you.

Finally, thank you to everyone who supports Greek Animal Rescue throughout the year. Whether you joined us yesterday or support us in other ways, you're helping us respond to animals in need today while funding the neutering programmes that will reduce suffering for generations to come.

We'll see you all again at the Christmas Fair on Saturday 22nd November! 🎄🐾