Alex M

Hello, my name is Lex! For years, I have been involved in animal rescue work, including helping extract animals from war zones and delivering food and aid where it was needed most. Eventually, I stepped away from rescue because it completely drained me mentally, physically and financially. But when I arrived in Loutraki, Greece, and saw the situation for the stray animals here, I simply could not stand by and ignore it. for the last For the past 6 months, I have been living in Loutraki, helping stray and abandoned animals alongside two incredible local women who have dedicated years of their lives to feeding and caring for animals that most people ignore. After spending time in the area, speaking with locals and doing some research, I learned that there is very little support or infrastructure in place for the stray animal population. There are no proper shelters, very limited resources, and only a handful of people trying to help hundreds of animals with almost no support. Many of you already know Bobby’s story. What started as an attempt to save one abandoned dog quickly opened my eyes to a much larger crisis. There are countless animals here living in terrible conditions: • abandoned and injured strays • sick dogs, cats and kittens • traumatized animals with nowhere safe to go One of them is Pluto. Pluto spent over 2 years living in a dark basement after suffering severe abuse and trauma. He was attacked with a metal pipe and became fearful of people and the outside world. Thanks to the support raised for Bobby, we were finally able to move Pluto out of that basement and into the apartment and patio that I have been renting which is currently being used as a temporary safe space. For the first time in years, Pluto has been able to relax outside, sleep somewhere safe, and slowly begin rebuilding trust in humans. The apartment and patio is currently sheltering around 15 animals including: • Pluto • three kittens suffering from eye infections • their mother • several local stray cats that have started using the space as refuge Beyond these animals, there are numerous stray dogs and cats in the neighborhood that regularly require feeding, veterinary treatment and emergency care, but still have no safe place away from the streets. With summer approaching in Greece, temperatures will soon become dangerously high, making life even harder for these animals. Many are already struggling with illness, infections, dehydration and unsafe living conditions. Thanks to previous support, Bobby safely reached Spain and is continuing treatment while searching for his forever home. But leaving Loutraki broke my heart because so many other animals were left behind without the same chance. That is why this project now exists. The goal now is to continue using this apartment and patio as a temporary safe haven for animals in urgent need while we search for fosters, adopters and long-term solutions. The animals are cared for daily by two local women who feed them, clean after them and transport them to veterinary appointments when needed. We are also in contact with one of the only people in Loutraki caring for over 100 stray dogs and hope to support her work directly in the future. At the moment, the biggest challenge is funding. Current monthly costs include: • Apartment rent • Electricity • Food • Veterinary care • Sterilisation • Medication • Emergency transport • Temporary fostering expenses Pluto alone urgently requires dental treatment for a painful tooth infection and three kittens have eye infections... Immediate goals: • €400 to cover current rent and electricity until June 18 • €400 to secure one additional month • Veterinary treatment for Pluto’s infected tooth • Medication and care for the kittens with eye infections • Sterilisation of all the kittens/cats Long term, the goal is to create a sustainable rescue space where animals can recover safely while waiting for adoption. Eventually, I would like to relocate to a larger and more secluded property and legally register as a shelter so we can continue helping animals properly and responsibly. This fund raising is no longer only about saving one dog. It is about creating a safe place for animals that have nowhere else to go and building something that can continue helping many more animals in the future. Every donation, no matter how small, directly helps: • keep the Safe House running • feed and care for the animals • cover veterinary expenses including sterilisation • prevent Pluto from being forced back into the basement • help sick and injured street animals • continue rescuing animals in desperate situations Without support, Pluto returns to the basement. The kittens lose their safe space. And many more animals remain suffering on the streets through the brutal Greek summer. But together, we can change that. Transparency is extremely important to me. I will continue posting updates, receipts and breakdowns so everyone can see exactly where funds are going. If you can support financially, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing the fundraiser and helping these animals be seen. Every share, donation and message genuinely helps. Thank you to everyone who has already supported Bobby, Pluto and the animals of Loutraki. None of this would have been possible without you.

Bobby’s story is one of resilience and hope. It is about a dog who continues to trust humans despite having every reason not to. Bobby was found approximately two months ago on the side of a road in Loutraki, Greece, in critical condition. He was extremely underweight, injured, and barely able to stand. It was immediately clear that he had been through significant trauma. The most likely explanation is that Bobby was abandoned after previously living in a home. Bobby does not behave like a dog born on the streets. From the moment he was rescued, he showed clear signs of being a dog that grew up in a home. He actively seeks human contact, settles quickly indoors, understands basic routines, and shows a strong desire to please. These traits are rarely seen in dogs raised feral and instead point to a dog who once relied on people for safety and care. When that was taken away, Bobby was left completely unequipped to survive on the streets and clearly struggled to adapt. Bobby was also attacked by other dogs. In Greece, packs of territorial street dogs are common, particularly male dogs guarding areas. Bobby sustained multiple bite wounds, consistent with an attack. Unaccustomed to street life, he was also at serious risk from traffic, as he does not instinctively understand cars or road danger. Bobby was urgently rushed to the vet, where he remained for over a week. During this time, it was discovered that Bobby was suffering from severe gastrointestinal distress. He was constipated and passing blood due to a bone lodged in his stomach, likely ingested while scavenging for food on the streets. Without veterinary care, this could easily have been fatal. Unfortunately, releasing Bobby back onto the streets was never an option. He is not mentally or emotionally suited for street survival, and doing so would almost certainly result in further injury or death. With no shelter space available, a temporary solution was created: a basic shelter built in a shed near his rescuer’s home. While this arrangement kept Bobby alive, it has never been safe or sustainable. The shed does not belong to the rescuer, and Bobby’s loneliness has led to barking and crying when left alone. This has resulted in escalating complaints, threats from neighbours, and ultimately police involvement. Authorities have now stated that Bobby cannot remain there, giving a very limited time-frame to find an alternative. To make matters worse, there have been deeply disturbing incidents of glass shards being deliberately placed inside the shed, including near Bobby’s food area and later near the entrance. On the second occasion, Bobby stepped on a shard and was limping briefly. Thankfully, he was not seriously injured, but the danger is real and ongoing. Bobby’s current situation is no longer safe! At the same time, the rescuer’s own senior dog has become seriously ill and urgently requires surgery, placing an enormous emotional and financial strain on the household. With no foster options locally, no available shelter space, and increasing hostility from the surrounding area, Bobby has reached a critical point. And yet, through all of this, Bobby remains a remarkable dog. He is affectionate, resilient, and deeply people-oriented. He forms bonds quickly, enjoys companionship, and remains curious despite repeated abandonment and trauma. Bobby does not belong on the Greek streets. He does not belong in a shed. He belongs in a loving home! The positive news is that a miracle has happened and a Rescue in the UK has agreed to take Bobby in! They will take care of him while we continue to look for his forever home and loving family. All that prevents Bobby´s safety right now is the funding! The rescuer unfortunately is not able to cover all the costs for the veterinary bills, documents, dog crate and transport. Any support to get Bobby to safety would be greatly appreciated! It has been a very long journey getting him to this point and we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. To everyone that cares and has supported Bobby's journey thus far, THANK YOU!