THE ASSOCIATION
The association
Tierhilfe Kos e.V. (registered association): The association was founded on the 31st of October 2005 in Vienna by Maria Winterleitner, Sonja Bognar and Susanne Tamandl. The present board of directors comprises: Maria Winterleitner (chairlady), Joachim Hetzl (secretary), Michaela Mazakarini (treasurer). The registration number of the association (ZVR-Zahl) is: 036472103; it’s registered with the following competent authority: Federal Police Directorate of Vienna. The association officials work on a voluntary basis; they finance their activities through membership fees and donations and carry out those activities with the help of contributions either in the form of drugs or in the form of voluntary medical and other services. Castration projects are subsidized by the European association for the prevention of cruelty to animals and nature conservation (Europäischer Tier- und Naturschutzverein - ETN).
Activities
Castration projects: The association organizes and implements two main operations per year on the Greek island of Kos. In the course of the project, between 200 and 300 animals (cats and dogs) are caught, castrated and then released each year. In cases where the involvement of Austrian veterinarians and assistants gets boycotted by the island population and politicians, the organization makes efforts to gain acceptance by including local veterinarians and authorities in the project, and also by informing and spreading the word about the project. On a political level, the association struggles to receive work permits for European veterinarians in Greece (the current Greek law forbids them to work on Greek soil).
Project objective
Our priority objective is to permanently decimate the number of stray cats and dogs on the Greek island of Kos by way of castration and sterilisation as well as further basic veterinary treatment. In this way the association would like to contribute to the improvement of general living conditions on the island and hence to the resolution of social conflicts. A long-term objective is the establishment of a home for cats with an attached clinic, where dogs and cats can be medically treated and where old, handicapped, sick and very young cats can find shelter. An Austrian veterinarian would also be stationed on site. The network of animal friends living on Kos should be increased. This is to make sure that stray animals get regularly fed and medically treated.
Problem area
The population of stray animals is estimated to consist of about 2.000 dogs and 300.000 cats (as of 2007). The abandoned animals on the island of Kos (similar to many other regions of the Levant) pose a health risk not only for the local fauna, but for humans as well, and they also cause permanent social and political conflicts. While living in the wild, they spread diseases and feed on prey; their numbers increase uncontrollably in what could lead to an explosive population growth. The life of stray animals is usually short and dangerous, with mortality rates being especially high for cats. The fights for a sexual partner, the escape from predators and the struggle for food often lead to a deadly exit. Furthermore, stray animals are constantly exposed to pathogenic germs, which additionally strain their immune system. Most animals die as a consequence of poisoning campaigns organized by the municipalities.
Solution Method
American and European studies from recent years have shown that castration projects must have continue for at least three years in order to permanently reduce populations. Other measures to prevent the explosive growth of stray animals' populations using contraceptives or vaccinations are still in the development stage. Castration projects or TNR (Trap Neuter Release) campaigns have turned out to be effective, practical and most humane - they reduce populations without harming or injuring the animals.