At the beginning of April, Sabine and Hermann, Marie’s parents, travelled to Andros once again. This time, they were accompanied by Marie’s brother and his family, who also wanted to take a look at our “cat island” for themselves.
Travelling to the island is often a little adventure in itself, and this spring was to be no different.
As always, the plan was to take one of the afternoon ferries after arriving on the morning flight. However, the day before their departure, they learned that all ferries had to remain in port due to bad weather.
Unlike on previous trips, the flight was even on time, so they could easily have caught the ferry – what a shame!
But then they remembered the tip from last year’s fellow travellers and booked a hotel near the port with an excellent breakfast buffet; the legendary lemon cake is still on the menu…
The travellers spent the evening and the following morning in Rafina, strolling through the town, watching the ships waiting in the harbour for better weather, and longingly watching the ferry that did leave in the morning, but was still closed to vehicles. They really would have liked to be on Andros already.
But then the time had finally come! The “Andros Queen” was ready…
… and once again, while waiting in line, Sabine and Hermann were able to admire the centimetre-perfect manoeuvring skills of the truck drivers who supply the Aegean islands with all the goods they need.
None of this went unnoticed even in faraway Germany, thanks to the webcam at the harbour.
Although the storms of the previous days had subsided, the crossing was still far from being particularly comfortable.
In Gavrio, the travellers were already being awaited by those who had stayed behind, thanks to the webcam at the harbour.
Then it was time to drive right across the island, and soon they found themselves back at the familiar accommodation, where the bougainvillea in the courtyard was unfortunately still far from being in full bloom.
Day 1 on the Island
The next morning, the first stop was immediately at the feeding stations. First up was Feeding Station 1, where it all began back in April 2017. It was very windy and cold and damp, and only a few cats showed themselves. Perhaps it was also because the village still had a lot of cleaning up to do before the upcoming Easter celebrations? The noise from some of the machinery had apparently frightened some of the cats away.
There was plenty of dry food available. Of course, wet food was added as well. After all, they had done some serious shopping at Lidl in Rafina.
Our tabby Merle made an appearance, and a male cat who had been neutered by locals themselves through the municipality’s neutering programme was her table companion.
At this time of year, Andros truly lives up to its reputation as one of the islands richest in water, and after the long winter, nature is now slowly putting on its spring coat.
At Feeding Station 2, no furry friends could be lured out, as the weather was decidedly unfriendly to cats. The humans soon had to seek shelter from a heavy rain shower as well.
But as it turned out later, the cats were being fed by a couple who live nearby.
No cat appeared at Feeding Station 3 at first, either. But then she turned up: Miss Meier! And Vina appeared in her wake.
It was lovely to see that the shelter for food and water, built by our friend S. several months ago from the remains of the former rubbish collection site that used to be there, was still doing its job!
For some time now, Miss Meier and three other well-fed cats have been fed by the tenant of the supermarket next to the feeding station and his son. They are better protected on their property than directly beside the busy road. That is a good thing. They also seem to enjoy the view from their perch on top of the stacks of pallets.
But for the time being, everything was still soaking wet – from above and below. If their shoes had not also been thoroughly soaked through, there was actually something quite enjoyable about watching the clouds dance across the sky.
Preparations for the upcoming Easter celebrations were actually in full swing; it was only the rain that kept both visitors and islanders off the streets.
Day 2 on the Island
The weather cooperated, even though water was still merrily flowing through the village down from the mountains.
At Feeding Station 1, tabby Merle, grey-furred Lars-Ole, red-furred Günni and the white-and-grey Kalinero enjoyed their meal. A friend of our friend A. had already fed them, but of course the canned food they had brought along was still a welcome treat!
In the afternoon, Hermann and Sabine were invited to S.’s place; our friend A. and Marie’s brother, his wife and their children joined them later. There was plenty to talk about – over Greek coffee and candied kumquats harvested by S. from his garden. The garden also offers visitors a beautiful view.
It was also agreed that the following morning, S. would take two ailing cats to the vet.
Day 3 on the Island
As always, the first stop was Feeding Station 1, where Merle and Kalinero were already waiting.
As arranged, Sabine and Hermann drove to S.’s place, where Hektor and Marios made an appearance.
But they were not the ones everyone was after – it was Koko and Marie. They were easily placed into a carrier. They were that trusting, and they were also remarkably gentle with each other!
On the way to the vet, there are plenty of opportunities to admire the rugged beauty of this enchanting island.
As calm as the two patients had been, they had to be wrapped in thick towels during the examination and treatment. Gentle persuasion was of no use.
A. also brought two cats in for treatment – a good opportunity to continue their conversation afterwards in a lovely old café.
In the afternoon, Sabine and Hermann wanted to go on a special hike with Marie’s brother, his wife and their two children: the hike Marie had planned in April 2017 but had never taken, because the path began right beside the rubbish containers at what would later become known as Feeding Station 1.
Marie saw all those sick cats, and the desire to help them became stronger than the desire to go hiking. Everything began with this post in an internet forum on 22 April 2017:
“Hello,
I’m on holiday on an island near Athens, and with every step I take, I seem to come across another sick stray cat – miserable little creatures, emaciated, covered in fleas and suffering from diarrhoea, with half-long, matted fur. I would really like to help, but there doesn’t seem to be any animal welfare organisation here locally, at least none that I can find online.
My question is: Is there a good animal welfare organisation within reach, for example in Athens, that would take some of these cats from me in exchange for a donation, provide them with medical care and find them homes?
I would also offer to take these cats into foster care with me once they are fit to travel and find them homes from Berlin. But first they need to be made ready for travel, and I can’t manage that here. I’m only staying for a little over a week.
Any tips or ideas? I also have hardly any internet access and a poor connection, so I would be very grateful for any specific suggestions.
You are also welcome to tell me off and say that such sporadic animal welfare efforts don’t accomplish much. But for every cat that gets saved… you know the saying.
I never expected to encounter such misery here. On my last two holidays in similar places, I only saw well-cared-for domestic cats. I haven’t seen animals this run-down and in such a terrible state for 15 years. And all they need is a comprehensive treatment against parasites, to be neutered, and lots and lots of food – then they’ll be healthy and ready for a good life… They’re even tame.
Let me know if you have any ideas!”
It was also at that rubbish site that the enchanting Star was discovered. Just a few months later, she would become one of the first cats to travel to Germany.
That afternoon, the family finally completed the hike in memory of Marie.
On the way back, they stopped by Feeding Station 1 once more to check that everything was in order and put out some more canned food.
Day 4 on the Island
For private organisational reasons, the travellers would already have to begin their journey home the following day. Their time on Andros had been far too short. That familiar feeling that Marie knew so well – and that everyone who has come to the island on behalf of Cats at Andros knows – was already creeping in: If only they could stay longer, so they could do even more, even though, of course, our Greek friends are constantly there on the ground.
Marie’s parents drove to S.’s place once again to discuss the collection of the first travelling cat. They also said their goodbyes to A. that day.
The Mediterranean and the sky were such a deep blue, and the Mediterranean fauna provided wonderful contrasts. And now they were already leaving…
Day 5 on the Island
The next morning, the cats were already waiting for their breakfast. They did not turn their noses up at the food from the small supermarket nearby either, as the Lidl cans had run out. Once again, a generous meal was served.
Merle was there as always.
A friendly newcomer at the feeding station also tucked into the food.
Miss Meier came hurrying over from the supermarket.
But then the time had come; the travellers left the village and picked up travelling cat Liane from S. He also sent them on their way with a few lemons and kumquats from his garden.
At noon, Marie’s parents were due to meet our friends H. and I. on the western side of the island, as Aris would be travelling from there. His feline companion Deimos had arrived at a foster home in Germany just under three weeks earlier.
Greek hospitality was once again very much in evidence at H. and I.’s home. There was plenty of time to talk over coffee and pastries before Aris was placed in his carrier.
Even though our two friends know that their cats will be cared for as well as possible with us, it is always a very emotional moment for them when they have to let their protégés go.
Finally, the travellers once again joined the queue for the ferry.
A few harbour cats also made an appearance, as there are always islanders or tourists who have brought along some food for them.
The ferry crossing to the mainland was timed so that our friend A. in Athens could conveniently pick up the travelling cats in Rafina after work and take them home with her until their flight.
A Day in Athens
Because of the ferry and flight schedules, Marie’s parents had an entire day to spend in Athens, which they wanted to use for an extensive stroll and to visit some sights. They were accompanied by our friend A., who had plenty of tips and interesting information to share with the travellers.
On the way to the Acropolis, the group spotted several cats that had clearly learned to rely on tourists and seemed to have found a way to keep themselves well fed. This meant that pigeons within easy reach could simply be ignored.
Return Flight
At the airport, Sabine and Hermann met up with A., who brought the two travelling cats with her. Punctual as always. Perfectly prepared as always. And as eloquent as always whenever obstacles suddenly arise at the check-in desk because airport staff interpret the rules creatively – or simply do not know them.
This time, however, everything went smoothly. Even so, it is reassuring to know that there is someone with you who has been there to help so many times before!
After a punctual flight, Liane and Aris were met by Jörg, and it was not long before they could finally leave their carriers and settle into their respective foster homes.
Once again, this trip made it abundantly clear just how much our Greek friends on Andros do – every single one of them, to the best of their ability!
And they do so tirelessly, every single day, always finding fresh courage and determination. New cats keep appearing at the feeding stations. None of this would be possible on this scale without donations of food, nor without covering the veterinary costs.
For this, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports the Andros cats and us!
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