Our Work
While our primary focus is facilitating the adoption of the most vulnerable cats, we understand that the plight of strays on the island cannot be solved through adoption alone. To truly end their suffering, we must prioritize prevention and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. Additionally, we must ensure the well-being of the cats who are left behind and remain unadopted, providing both emergency and routine veterinary care at our feeding stations. All of these efforts are carried out primarily by our partner organization, Mykonos Animal Welfare.
Neutering - TNR
What is TNR?​
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Trap: Feral and stray cats are humanely trapped.
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Neuter: The trapped cats are taken to a veterinary clinic where they are spayed or castrated. This involves surgically removing their reproductive organs to prevent them from breeding, and removing a small portion of the ear to signal the cat has been neutered.
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Return: After recovering from the surgery, the cats are returned to their original location. In some cases, if the location is deemed unsafe, they might be relocated to a safer environment.
Why do we do it?
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Population Control: TNR helps to reduce the number of unwanted kittens being born, which in turn helps control the overall population of feral and stray cats. This is crucial in preventing overpopulation, which is prevalent in Mykonos with an estimate of 30,000 strays.
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Health Benefits: Spaying and neutering improve the health of street cats. Female cats, in particular, benefit significantly because pregnancy and nursing are physically demanding and deplete their bodily resources. Reducing the frequency of these cycles helps them maintain better overall health. Additionally, spaying and neutering reduce the risk of certain cancers and diseases, and male cats are less likely to roam and fight, reducing injuries and the spread of infectious diseases.
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Improved Quality of Life: By managing the population through TNR, the remaining cats can lead healthier and less stressful lives. They are less likely to engage in territorial fights, and they experience fewer health problems associated with reproduction.
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Ethical Approach: TNR is considered a humane and ethical alternative to euthanasia. It allows cats to live out their natural lives without contributing to the overpopulation problem.
Vetting
Emergency and General Vet Care
Our team responds daily to urgent calls about strays in need. These animals are often in terrible condition and require emergency vet care due to car accidents, dangerous fights, abuse, and more.
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In addition to emergency care, we also focus on general veterinary care for the cats in our community. This includes routine check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments to maintain the health of cats in various colonies. By providing consistent care, we help ensure these cats live healthier, happier lives.
Help Us Help Them
Our small team of local volunteers is always busy responding to calls and helping cats in need. If you find a cat in distress, please transport it to the vet yourself if possible, we have cages to be borrowed at different spots on the island. Simply calling us and providing a location won't help, as cats tend to move even when injured and with our busy days we don't know when we will be able to come out and help. If you take the cat to the vet and cannot afford the treatment, please let us know, and we can cover the costs.