Volunteer.
We can only help the stray cats in Crete with the help of more people like ourselves who are committed to helping cats and other animals and who will volunteer to give their time, support and/or funding.
Fostering:If you are local to Rethymno we desperately need foster parents. Kittens must be over 4 months old before they can be rehomed abroad. Earlier if they are rehomed locally. Could you provide a loving home for a family of kittens until they can be moved to their forever home? If you have your own animals this is even better so that the kittens can become accustomed to living with other pets. Food, bedding, medication, toys etc are all provided.
Cat Trapping / Help on Neutering Days: Would you like to learn how to trap cats for neutering in your area? We can show you how to trap, transfer and release the next day. If possible, you could transport them to the Clinic in Zouridi and pick them up when they are ready. At the Clinic they always need volunteers to help out with transferring cats into crush boxes, and cleaning boxes and traps.
Advice On Treating Common Ailments
Please alert us as soon as possible to any cat concern you have so we have time to help you. We will need to know your exact location and the location of the cat with a photograph of the cat and of the area the cat is in. Please remember to check if the cat has a right V ear clip which indicates if it has already been neutered.
As well as contacting us, please post the same details on The Animal Lovers on Crete Facebook Page. There may be a volunteer who lives in that area who can respond quickly to an emergency.
Kittens With Eye Infections:
This is a very common problem in young abandoned kittens. Please go to the nearest Pharmacy to buy Tobrex eye drops. They cost approx. 3 euros. Apply the drops 3 times a day for 7 days. If you are leaving before the treatment finishes please ask another person at your accommodation to take over. Taking this action initially will help to save the kitten's eye.
Cats with Mouth Infection:
Many older street cats suffer from severe mouth infection which makes it very painful for them to eat.
It also results in drooling from the mouth which can make the cat stop cleaning itself properly. If the cat is friendly and you have transport, please ask at the nearest Vet to borrow a cat box. The cat needs two injections, a cortisone and a long-term antibiotic.
This will cost approx. 25 euros and will immediately relieve the pain allowing the cat to eat normally again within a few hours.
Cats with Cancer:
Due to the hot climate we have many cases of cancer of the ears, nose and mouth. In many cases this can be fatal. If you cannot take the cat to the vet yourself, please contact us for assistance. The beginning stages of nose cancer appear as a bloody nose that doesn't heal. In severe cases of nose cancer the cat will have a hole where it's nose should be and will need to be euthanised immediately to stop the cat from suffering any more. Ear cancer can usually be treated by removing the top of the ears, they will be bloody, crusty, perhaps misshapen with the tips already be missing. If you're unsure, send us photos or ask a vet and we/they can advise.
Cats with Ear Mites:
The cat may have dirty inner ears or open wounds around the back of it's ear - Many people think this is due to the cat fighting but it's actually due to the cat scratching the back of its ear. If the cat is friendly, gently push its ear back and look inside - If you see a dark red / brown sticky substance it has ear mites. You may also see living mites which look like small red/brown spiders attached to the inner/outer ear and face depending on the severity. Take a photo to show the vet the severity and then apply the ear drops as instructed.
Other Ways To Help
Adoption:If you decide you wish to adopt a cat or a kitten, please contact us as soon as possible so the necessary arrangements can be made. Please do not leave it until the day before you leave!
Neutering: If you wish to help a cat we advise the best option is to have it neutered. We can lend appropriate equipment and make appointments with our local vets for you at the reduced Charity rate. Neutering gives every female and male cat the best chance possible of survival for life.
Raise Awareness: Like our Facebook Page and share it with your friends and family so they can see the work we do.
Donate: If sending money is the easiest option that is wonderful but you can also send us parcels with medicines, special cat food, cat beds, toys, traps, heat pads etc. Drop us an email to see what we need.