Location

Heraklion lies more or less half way along the northern coast of the island. The island’s municipal authorities can be found in the island’s capital city, and it is also its economical centre.
One of the two airports is in Heraklion. Thousands of tourists arrive and leave from here.

A stray taking an afternoon nap in the harbour of Heraklion

--> go to interactive Map of Crete
(You will need to be Java-Script enabled)

Situation

There are masses of stray animals in and around Heraklion. The number of stray dogs and cats is especially high in Spring, just before the start of the season, when there are a great many new births. Just before the tourists begin to arrive, the number decreases rapidly – when the poisonings begin.

Typical street scene in Heraklion; cats gather around a “Feeding Spot”.

But there have also been some clear signals that animal welfare is being taken more seriously in Heraklion. Many people keep their dogs on a leash and animals are tolerated at an increasing number of locations. Animal welfare activities are stimulated more than before.

Animal Welfare

The animal welfare society of Heraklion has about 300 members. The German woman Verena Wels works for the organization and takes care of the animals, their mediation and collecting food and material donations.

A frightened dog on a chain, at Heraklion’s City Wall

Activities

The organization’s sees it’s main target in educating, and in caring for wounded and ownerless dogs. Despite the fact that they do not have their own animal shelter, there is space for about 20 dogs in private foster homes.

There are 2 outdoor compounds, in which dogs can be held for a short period of time.

Every month, approximately 20-30 dogs are take in, looked after and usually mediated to Germany. Only wounded or sick dogs and ownerless puppies are accepted.

Needs and Plans

The animal welfare workers are desperately searching for some land to build a shelter on. Verena Wels and a second animal welfare organization are trying to get a piece of land from the municipal authorities, on which they can build their shelter.

They have plans for castration activities and they would like to increase their PR activities.

Your Help

You can donate material- and financial donations to the animal welfare workers in Heraklion through Noah’s Ark’s Support Organization. Please mention the keyword ‘Verena”.

The Support Organization supports Heraklion’s animal welfare workers by mediation transport, food- and material donations and castration projects.

You can support the animal welfare workers’ activities on Crete by taking on a foster parenthood or by becoming a member of Noah’s Ark’s Support Organization!

--> Foster Parenthood
--> The Support Organization

Contact

Zoofili Dhrasi Iraklio

Ansprechpartnerin:
Verena Wels
GR 71000 Athanati/Iraklio
Tel.: 0030-2810-542626
Mobil: 0030-6945 424365

Further information about animal welfare activities on Crete:

E-mail: info@archenoah-kreta.com

Translation: Susan Brinkmann
04.2003, Text & Fotos: Stefan Grothus