Why set up Operation GreekSTRAYS? What is it all about? The cause is GreekSTRAYS in Greece. My target mission is to try and raise in the excess of one million Euros for GreekSTRAYS. For me, it is a need that is desperately needed here in Greece. I have realised that there is a huge need towards animal welfare and the plight of these helpless creatures. It is with this, that I have decided to set up Operation GreekSTRAYS, which could be viewed as crazy, impossible or utterly stupid! But if you are passionate about animal welfare, then you will try and explore all options available, to try and raise the much needed funds, the desperate need for sterilization/neutering, the desperate need for education and much more. Because of the economic crisis here in Greece, more and more animals are being poisoned, harmed and dumped!!! Why? I cannot answer that question. All I can say is that animals do not have a voice, but they do have rights, whether others agree or not.
The build up towards Operation GreekSTRAYS is not going to be an easy ride for many reasons. I am sure that I will experience resentment, hostility, no support, maybe envy for being too ambitious about something like this. But on the other hand, I could be pleasantly surprised. At this moment I am not in a position to disclose how I am planning to execute this mission, or when the date will be. But I hope to accomplish this within the next 12 months, and that is taking all my other activities into consideration and trying to focus on maintaining some sort of work - lifestyle balance, which I am sure will be an impossibility. However, I am resilient, determined and enjoy challenges. Therefore Operation GreekSTRAYS, is in my opinion a huge challenge which will succeed. I am very passionate about this, so only time will tell, but I will need everyone's support, networks and much more.
Through social media, newspapers, communications and living in Greece, one just cannot understand the desperation for GreekSTRAYS. It does happen in other countries too, but my prime focus is on Greece, because it is where I chose to live. Case studies are horrific, images are heartbreaking, and the question I keep asking myself is why? Why and how can people behave in this appalling way to helpless creatures and inflict horrific pain and suffering, is just totally beyond me. Through these social networking channels, one becomes aware of how many people are asking for financial assistance towards veterinary fees, towards re-homing and much more. Astonishingly everything is higher priced than in the UK. In some cases, one can be expected to pay between 80 - 100 Euros to sterilize a cat!!!! This is wicked money as we are discussing stray/feral animals, and not domestic pets. These are the street cats and dogs, which need controlling to help the country, yet for the vets, it appears to be a 'one-way' business. Sterilizing or castrating a dog is also hugely inflated, with prices being in the excess of 150 Euros. However, there are some vets who do work well with some charities and charge an appropriate fee.
With the economic crisis, people cannot afford to feed their pets. Instead they are being dumped. Puppies, dogs, cats all over. You see them walking the streets, looking for a morsel of food, water or shelter, only to be abused, kicked or finally poisoned. Islands and coastal towns are being inundated with stray dogs. There are no controls. Within the area that I live, new strays regularly appear. These new arrivals are always blamed on the other islands bringing them over during the night. As a result of new dogs and no controls, naturally more puppies are born. Sadly though, many choose to bin them. With this, one dares not walk past large metal waste-bins, in case one hears noises coming from them. The list of problems gets longer and longer, but one common practice which appears to be acceptable is poisoning. Again, I raise the question of why poison an innocent animal? It is illegal. Many do not get caught. Therefore, very few are prosecuted.
The images that one sees on social networking sites, of injured, abused, neglected or starving is truly heartbreaking. There is no help for them. Some are struggling to make a difference to the plight of GreekSTRAYS. All this cruelty has to stop!!!! Greece is such a beautiful country, the climate is perfect, but the attitude and reputation towards animal welfare is totally unacceptable. Many tourists have vowed never to return, as some sights witnessed have left them with so much pain and distress.
The local municipalities have a duty and responsibility towards the plight of GreekSTRAYS. However, I do not wish to get involved in the politics of animal welfare laws here in Greece, because I am not a politician, do not understand the thought process of the governments
towards animals, regulations keep changing, which affect the welfare of the animals, and basically one could just argue and argue, which I have noticed through network, which achieves absolutely nothing. It is with this that I am trying to attempt a different way of trying to help GreekSTRAYS in Greece.
I chose to live in Greece for whatever reasons. However, not until one lives in a country like this, does one totally appreciate what actually goes on. When one travels the world, one only gets a snapshot of what it is like. Mainly we only see the good when we travel. One might witness and see some poor sights, but once back in ones comfort zone, all the bad is clearly forgotten.
Even in the area where I live, I have been the victim of horrible verbal abuse as a result of animal welfare. Why? Can I ever forgive these people for what they did to me? No, no, no!!!!! There might come a time when there will be forgiveness in my heart towards them, but I do not think I would ever forget. They were very cruel and harmed the animals. Words alone cannot describe what this actually did to me. Again, it is one of the reasons why I wish to build the first animal sanctuary in the area, which would provide a safe haven for the plight of GreekSTRAYS.
There are many charities in Greece, and I believe there are charities in other countries that are trying to support the plight of Greek animal welfare. All come under different umbrellas. Sadly many of these charities have their own problems and also need help and support too. But I also find that many charities often tend to look after their own, and rarely help others. I am not sure why though, but maybe this has to do with their own financial situation and guarding what they have. I would have thought that many people would only be too willing to help, support and share. Sadly this doesn't seem to happen too often. I can say that the charities do work hard, but lack resources of foster homes, money and lack people to support the cause. Many might verbally express a concern towards the plight of the strays, but when you ask them to contribute or do something to help, they keep quiet. I remember a couple who complained of actually spending 3 Euros per week on six tins of cat food!!!!
People might express their opinions and ask why I haven't registered as a charity, or even consider registering as a charity. My reasons are that I do not need to justify my actions with anyone or give any explanations, but in a nutshell, it will take years to register as a charity, which is time that I do not have. I cannot wait years, I need to take some sort of action now. The plight of GreekSTRAYS in Greece need our help now!!!!! I was a member of a local charity, but recently decided to pull out. The biggest contribution that led to my resignation was that they lied about a serious issue that concerned animals. With this, I didn't feel comfortable continuing with my membership.
I know through social media, there is a wealth of sharing, supporting and inspiring each and everyone. I am quite lucky that I have had the opportunity to 'meet' some great people. All from various parts of the world and not necessarily passionate about animal welfare either. Some with extremely high professional backgrounds, who I admire dearly, and some super friends who have been supportive with some of my needs in terms of animal welfare. With this, I get an excitement that tells me that with Operation GreekSTRAYS, there will be success, as I will get support from many, but in the meantime, I need to prepare. There is so much money in the world, yet towards the plight of animal welfare, it is often overlooked.
ABOUT ME: I am Elaine Karmasyn, was born in the UK, and together with my husband, came to live in Ermioni, Greece December '05. The ride has been a rocky ride, lessons have been learnt and would we do this again? Maybe not! However, I in particular miss the UK, because I was totally independent and their were no language barriers. I am a professional person, who has a zest for life, work, challenges and enjoy meeting people. I am open to new opportunities, but my passion for now is the plight of GreekSTRAYS. I am not a writer but would like to share my blog with readers. You can follow my blogspot as I will be recording all activities on a weekly basis. Nothing fancy, except a weekly account of my weekly activities which will include some of my personal feelings and experiences, which I might endure along the way, towards execution day and beyond.