Greek Animal Rescue

                    saves strays in distress

            When Dianne Aldan and her husband visited Greece for their honeymoon in 1984, they loved the country so much it became one of their favorite destinations.  For Dianne, however, the pleasure was marred by the sight of countless stray animals, many of which were sick, injured or starving.  'They were everywhere and in terrible need of help," says Dianne, who lives in Toronto.  A few years later, I became a volunteer for the Toronto Humane Society and my concern for abandoned animals blossomed.  I realized I could no longer ignore the situation in Greece.

            Dianne subsequently linked up with Greek Animal Rescue (GAR), a British charity dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals in Greece.  The organization was founded in 1989 by Vesna Jones and her husband, Paul, who were as appalled as Dianne by the neglect and abuse of animals they witnessed while vacationing in Greece.  The couple even spent the last few days of their holiday helping at an animal shelter near Athens.  They were impressed by the shelter, but quickly learned that others like it were few and far between, and that spaying and neutering were not widely practiced.  As soon as they got home, Vesna began raising money to help stray animals in Greece.  Within two years, GAR was going strong as an officially registered charity.

            GAR was solely U.K.-based until Dianne got involved in 1998.  "I wanted to see if people would respond to my desire to raise funds for the charity," she explains.  "Vesna mailed me a package and I literally stood on the street outside our local farmers market asking for donations.  My first morning brought in $50, and within a few weeks I got my first annual supporter." Dianne has since raised over $12,000 in donations.

            GAR has five aims: To expand rescue work through the Greek shelters we support; to provide needy animals with necessary treatment and care; to re-home as many animals as possible; to spay and neuter as many dogs and cats as funds will allow; and to advance public education in all aspects of animal care and protection.  The organization currently supports four Greek shelters and provides emergency help at several others.  Money is channelled into everything from kennels and fencing to food, medicine and veterinary care.  "We also finance re-homing of animals in various countries within Europe," adds Dianne.  "It's possible for North Americans to adopt as well, but it's expected that they will cover the majority of the expenses, which can be prohibitive."

            One of the many animals who has benefited from GAR's work is Bonzo.  This friendly, sweet-faced young dog was found lying by a road, unable to walk because the tendons in his hind legs had been deliberately severed.  Horrified by the cruelty, an animal rescue volunteer rushed him to a vet who was unfortunately unable to repair the damage.  "Bonzo needed major surgery to repair his tendons if he was going to maintain a good quality of life," says Dianne.  After visiting Bonzo at The Haven, a small GAR-supported shelter on Crete, both she and Vesna became determined to help.  Vesna located a British vet who could perform the tricky operation and they began the job of raising the necessary money.  "My own fundraising appeal brought in over $800," says Dianne.  "The surgery was done and Bonzo now lives with Vesna and five other dogs in the U.K."

            Bonzo is just one of many success stories, proof that GAR's efforts are paying off.  To date, the organization has rescued thousands of dogs and cats, as well as a number of donkeys, horses and birds.  "GAR was also instrumental in rescuing two lions, who now live at the Wild Animal Orphanage in Texas."  In fact, Dianne feels that GAR's most significant accomplishment is the sheer number of animals they've saved and re-homed.  "It's a feat in itself, considering the state these animals are in when they're rescued, not to mention the working conditions our people have to cope with on a daily basis."

            GAR is wholly supported through donations.  "My own fundraising efforts include a table at the farmer's market, participating at the Canadian PET Expo, recruiting memberships and placing coin banks at various locations. " In Canada, an annual membership costs $30 and includes three copies of the charity's newsletter, which is packed with information about rescues and adoptions, fundraising events and other animal welfare issues.  Although there is currently no American arm to GAR, Dianne indicates there are several individuals interested in setting up a connection within the U.S.

            Because Dianne is an agent for GAR, rather than an independent organization, her application for charitable status was rejected.  But she doesn't regard this as an obstacle.  "People who really care about strays are willing to help, regardless of where they are.  Animal rescue work has no boundaries."

            Considering that GAR now has a worldwide membership of 1,700 caring individuals, it looks like she's absolutely right.

            For more information, visit www.garcanada.bizland.com

As printed in Animal Wellness magazine

Volume 4 Issue 4 November 25, 2002 and

written by Ann Brightman,

Senior Editor (photos excluded)