Greek Animal Welfare Fund – over 50 years of action for animals in Greece Charity No 233574—Company No.881216

Athens: D. Falireos 43, N. Faliro 18547, Tel:+30 210 3840010 Fax: +30 210 4828122 Mobile: +30 6944 240222,

Email : gawfgr@gawf.gr , Websites: www.gawf.org.uk—www.gawfcircuscampaign.org.uk London: First Floor Offices, 51 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NB Tel: +44(0)2073578500,

Email: gawf@gawf.org.uk

The Public Education Campaign in Ikaria

Between the 13th and 18th of March the GAWF team was in Ikaria to continue its work on making Ikaria an animal friendly island in partnership with Dogs Trust. In brief, the news is still not good. There are still a great many dogs that remain permanently chained and suffering from lack of food and/or water, loneliness and pain. Two of the dogs were in a terri-ble state. Both were on very short chains, there was no food to be seen and they seemed desperately thirsty. One was, in all probabil-ity, pregnant. The Town Council is very well aware of the problem and has asked GAWF to help change the unacceptable practices that are widespread on its island. This is why we were invited by the Mayor, Mr Stavrinadis, to make a presentation in the Town Hall and propose

some possible solutions. We had a more hopeful experience during our educational campaign in Ikaria’s

schools. GAWF’s team visited all 14 of them – nursery, primary and secondary –

in order to communicate the welfare message to the younger generation of is-

landers. Our ally in this effort was May, a guide dog for the blind owned by Io-

anna Maria Gertsou, a brave lady who has been blind since birth and who is a

shining example of the human will. The enchanted pupils watched the presenta-

tions and took part in the activities with enthusiasm, and watching their faces

gave us hope for the island’s future.

NEWSLETTER February—March 2011

www.gawf.org.uk

GAWF has been an active participant in the Europe-wide ENFAP campaign to ensure that the farmers will abide by the Regulation which converts battery cages to enriched ones. In this context we will be reporting monthly on the producers that have already begun to make the necessary changes. Specifically: The company Chrysa Avga (Golden Eggs) believes that by the end of 2011 it will have replaced at least 73% of its cages. What does this mean? Thousands of chickens will experience improvements in their current dreadful living conditions. More information on the campaign is available at http://enfap.eu/ Want to help? Ask us to send some of ENFAP’s Easter cards for you to sign and

send to the EC pressing for enforcement of the relevant regulations. (Minimum

order, 5 cards). GAWF and ENFAP are organising a protest against Polish ob-

struction on this issue outside the Polish Embassy in Athens on the 19th of April.

Tell us if you will be there at gawfgr@gawf.gr.

Egg producers… Which ones are making changes?

Circuses with performing animals: will they finally be outlawed?

When we met with Junior Minister Milena Apostolaki in January to get an update

on the progress of revisions to animal protection legislation, we also discussed at

length the question of denying entry into Greece to circuses that use animals.

We made particular reference to the campaign that GAWF started in 2006 to-

gether with Animal Defenders International and 49 local welfare groups from all

over Greece. We had presented draft legislation prepared by our lawyer, to-

gether with 15,500 friends’ signatures on a petition to the Ministry of Agricultural

Development. It seems the outlawing of animals in circuses is finally about to become a reality in

Greece. We are now looking forward to the consultation document from the Ministry and the pass-

ing of the legislation in the not too distant future.

Neutering in Monemvasia

GAWF’s neutering team working in partnership with the Monemvasia Wel-

fare Group neutered a total of 50 cats and dogs in February. It also man-

aged successfully to treat three difficult medical cases. A big ―thank you‖

goes to the local group and its volunteers for their warm hospitality to our

team , as well as for their welfare work. (Photo: Ilse from the Monemvasia

group with a neutered cat).

Not only donkeys but also birds

An injured bird of prey was found by the roadside in Volos, where a local volun-

teer worked with the police to deliver it into the care of our equine vet, Elisa

Geskou. She immediately administered first aid and the next morning arranged

for the bus company to transport the female hawk to ANIMA (the wildlife protec-

tion organisation). The experts there diagnosed a broken wing, which was suc-

cessfully treated. We at GAWF wish the magnificent bird a speedy recovery and a

trouble free release back into the wild! Many thanks to the Magnisia district bus

company for providing free transport. (Photo: Elisa with the injured hawk).

GAWF grants to groups in 2011

Application form, terms and conditions may be found at: http://www.gawf.org.uk/index.php?page=gawf-grant-application.Applications must be in by 15 April 2011.

Choosing a new name for GAWF in Greece

We want to thank all the members, friends and colleagues that took part in the selection process for our new name. We shall soon be announcing the result.

Greek Animal Welfare Fund – over 50 years of action for animals in Greece Charity No 233574—Company No.881216

Athens: D. Falireos 43, N. Faliro 18547, Tel:+30 210 3840010 Fax: +30 210 4828122 Mobile: +30 6944 240222,

Email : gawfgr@gawf.gr , Websites: www.gawf.org.uk—www.gawfcircuscampaign.org.uk London: First Floor Offices, 51 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NB Tel: +44(0)2073578500,

Email: gawf@gawf.org.uk

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