Picture update Jimmy and Jason 2010-02-17

Because they were so long looking for a new family where they could stay together, we are so happy that they found it that we would like to share the latest pictures we received with you. They are doing very well, and are adapting great to their new life!

Pepe 2010-02-09

Pepe was found tied up to the shelter. He was sent to Germany where he found a new home after only 4 weeks. Although he suffered from skin cancer (which has been successfully removed) he found a caring family where he enjoys life now!

Irma/Triene found a new home 2010-02-07

Irma was found near Ormos and was brought to Germany where she was waiting for a new home. Finally, he was adopted by a loving family. She is a very warm hearted dog who just wants to be loved - and that's what she is getting now!

Finally the brothers Jimmy and Jason found a home! 2010-02-03

Jimmy and Jason are two brothers who were found at the dogshelter of Animal Care Samos in september 2006. One day the former owner decided that his dogs were of no longer use, so he thought he might as well abandon them. He left them chained at the fence of the shelter. The dogs were very skinny. In the next morning they were found at the gate, scared to death. Of fear, they were able to crawl through a wall. They did not move from each other’s side, not an inch. During the first week they were conscientiously lying on their mutual pillow. Obviously they have terribly been abused by the owner. They were unseparable, also during their stay at the shelter. They seemed to be Siamese twins, where Jimmy was there was Jason as well (and vice versa). After a few weeks things went visibly better with the brothers. They slowly regained their faith in people. After about two years they could join a dogtransport to Germany. At that moment they were ready for transport and adoption. In Germany they got a loving welcome at the dogshelter in expectation of an adoption family where they finally should find a home. Meanwhile Jimmy and Jason became real celebrities, because they were broadcasted on television in a petshow called ‘Animals that are looking for a home’. Some interested people responded, but most of them wanted to adopt only one of the two dogs. That was not an option as the brothers could not live without each other. Rather shortly after their arrival in Germany, a family in the Netherlands was found to adopt them. An appeal for adoption was placed. A family responded with great news: they wanted to adopt both brothers. This adoption family wanted the best for the boys and they had a nice farm with plenty of space to play. They had a small cattle so Jimmy and Jason turned out to be real ‘cowdogs’. Despite all good intentions of this family it was getting tougher and tougher to keep Jimmy and Jason. They took to little in account the fact that Jimmy and Jason are real hunting dogs, pointers to be exactly. There were a lot of exiting smells in the farmland, especially in the nearby corn fields. So they decided more often to check out this environment. They sneaked out and sometimes they stayed away whole nights. This caused a lot of stress and some difficult searchings. This situation was unlikely for the family as well as the dogs. The family did not see any other option but to keep the dogs on a leash for their own safety. They did not feel happy at all with this situation. It was certainly not the improvement of the lives of the dogs that they imagined at the moment of adopting them. They contacted Animal Care Samos (ACS) and informed them about the situation. ACS started to search for an other solution for the boys. After a seven week’s stay on Dutch territory Jimmy and Jason had to go back to the dog shelter in Germany. Helga and Silke of the German dog shelter Mamouth gave them all the love and care they could. In the mean time they were looking for a comfortable home where they both could be replaced. At the dog shelter there was a really sweet volunteer who walked with the dogs of the shelter every day. She thought that Jimmy and Jason were such lovely dogs, she just could not imagine that after ten months they still were not adopted. Considering that it has already been for four years that Jimmy and Jason were abandoned at the gate of the shelter at Samos and still they have not found their well-deserved home. It was a long and tough way, but this ending is one to be proud of. Finally a happy ending for Jimmy and Jason too. ACS would like to thank everybody in Holland and Germany for their devotion and contribution to replace Jimmy and Jason. Without this help and without the necessary perseverance it would not have been succeeded. We wish Jimmy and Jason a wonderful life with their new mistress. Most probably the story will be continued in the future, because who does not want to keep informed about the stories of Jimmy, Jason and their new mistress. Everybody thanks a lot!

Saving Rainbow and a donation for the shelter 2010-01-17

A sweet and very sick kitten caught the attention of Herman en Mieke-Roos from Belgium in 2008. Not only were they able to take it home and save his life, they also collected money for the ACS shelter. During their 2008 vacation Herman en Mieke-Roos found a very sweet, young kitten. The animal needed more medical care then ACS could provide for at that time. Herman en Mieke-Roos didn’t hesitate: they took the kitten home to Belgium where it got the necessary care. Sometime later the kitten, now called Rainbow, is having a great time living with his rescuers and playing with their other two cats (adopted from Kos, another Greek island). But Herman en Mieke-Roos wanted to do more. At the end of 2009 Animal Care Samos received a large donation collected by the couple. The money will be spend on improving the shelter, especially the cat-department. Herman en Mieke-Roos thank you so much for your help!

Sammy 2009-11-23

Rob and Wanda were enjoying a drink on a terrace on the beautiful island Samos, when they witnessed a dog was thrown out of a car. Rob and Wanda immediately jumped into their car end chased the car who was taking off with high speed. They wanted to tell this man that this is NOT the way the get rid of your dog! Sammy, the dog ran after the car he was just thrown out of, but it went so fast he couldn't keep up. Rob and Wanda decided to quit the chase and look after Sammy. They took her to the shelter of Animal Care Samos where Joeri took care of her. Every day Rob and Wanda visited the shelter to see how Sammy was doing, and Sammy loved those visits. Every time she was over excited to see them again! Rob and Wanda already had a small dog called Floortje at home, so it didn't take them long to decide Sammy was also welcome in their loving home. A few weeks later a friendly tourist took Sammy by plane to Dusseldorf where Rob and Wanda went to pick her up. Sammy was very happy to meet her saviors again! Sammy is a real puppy and also acts like a puppy...she has to learn quite a lot, Wanda is taking her on puppytraining. Also Floortje has to deal with the over energetic Sammy but they are really good friends! We would like to thank Rob and Wanda for the second chance they gave Sammy, she is e very lucky dog that on a day that could have ended so unfortunate she met these wonderful people!

How Dingo got rescued and found a home 2009-10-11

Some animals are lucky twice: not only are they brought to the shelter, they are also adopted by their rescuers. Dog Dingo is one of those lucky creatures. Rescuer Linda tells her story.. ‘At the end of June me and my husband Roy spend some weeks in Samos. During a tour in the mountains with our rented car we saw a dog lying on the street. I got out to give her some water and noticed she was limping. My husband warned me to be careful. He thought she resembled a dingo. She was also very scared. She even tried to hide under another car that approached (and almost run her over).’ When Linda and Roy drive away the dog lies herself down on the street again. They decide they can’t leave her like this. ‘Dingo’ is put in the car and taken to ACS shelter. ‘A few days later we called to hear how she was doing’, Linda continues. ‘It turned out that she was improving quickly. When we came to visit just before we left the island, we found a very happy dog who recognized us. I even took her for a walk, she was so sweet…Another nice coincidence: a volunteer had called her Dingo without knowing we thought she resembled one.’ During the drive back to the apartment Roy brings up adoption. With a drink on a terrace in Pythagorion the decision is made: Dingo will find a home with them. ‘On the 11th of September she arrived at the airport together with two volunteers. At first she was a bit shaken by the whole journey, but as soon as we stopped to take her for a stroll, she basically hugged my husband and cried with joy. And so did i… At home it took her some time to get used to the idea of walking in and out of the house, but she adjusted quickly. She really is a great dog. She learns quickly and we enjoy the long walks together so much. We are really looking forward to a great future and friendship with her!’ Linda and Roy thank you so much for your great care!

Athos 2009-09-04

Babs finds house after dangerous adventure. 2009-08-31

What if you're a small white, homeless with the funniest walk of the whole island Samos. Babs is just all that! When she was attacked by a pack of dogs who live on the rubbish dump beside the shelter, it idn't look good for her. But she was lucky! She has found a house in the meantime with her own (cat) door into the garden. The first thing you will notice about Babs is her funny walk. When she walks she moves all her legs one after another with her legs stretched out, this is quite comical! Thanks to her size (some cats are bigger...) and her cute appearance her chances on a quick adoption was very big! That was until Babs ended up on the rubbish dump next to the shelter. "During our walk with the dogs, Babs suddenly dissapeared" Tells Joeri Krom. "When I saw a tiny white dot on the rubbish dump, I realized that what I always feared for just happened! She was caught by a pack wild dogs who live there" Babs was more dead then alive and Joeri races with her to the house, where the surgery room is, and where her wounds could be treated. For a few days she walks the line, but she pulls trough! Joeri:" After two days we knew, she is gonna make it!" End of April Babs , fully recovered in the meanwhile, joins two volunteers on their way to Holland. There was her new owner:Ferdi anxiously waiting for this funny white sweetheart. Ferdi's own dog died after 13 beautiful years . Ferdi and Babs are reallly close now. Every evening after the last walk they race each other, who get's to the bed firts, Babs always wins off course! In the kitchendoor Babs has her own (cat)door so she can play in the garden when ever she feels like it. Ferdi thank you so much for taking little Babs under your wings!

Blind cat Stevie finds a new home. 2009-08-04

Imagine you are a Greek cat, and your owners go back to England, and can't take you with them... It all happened to Stevie.And that's not all you are also blind. Luckily Stevie is a strong character, and found a new home with Margreth and Jan in Hoorn (Holland) Last December Animal Care Samos received a call from the Greek island Ikaria. The owner of cat Stevie had to go back to England and could't take her with them. Although it is not easy for the foundation to shelter cats (It's hard to re home them and the shelter is always full) Stevie was welcome. When Stevie got of the boat on Samos it was clear she had problems with her eyes. With one eye she didn't see anything and with the other just a little. Due to Cat disease she had had when she was a kitten this happened to her eyes. The blind eye was infected and had to be removed, and the other eye couldn't be saved either, that became clear a few moths later. For any one who thonks Stevie was a just a pile off sadness : Think again! Still she would happily chase toys, jump on your lap. She even climbed on the roof of the winter shelter of the cats. But she did seem to have a harder time than the cats who could see. After she disappeared for 5 days Joeri decided it would be best to rehome her somewhere more safe. But for a cat with the charmes of Stevie it wwasn't to hard to find a new home, so it didn't take long , within a few weeks she found a new home with Margreth and Jan in Hoorn (Holland) Thanks to the care of Jessica and Mike Stevie landed on Schiphol airport on the 17th of July. "Once in her new home after her kennel was opened , she discovered her new home without bumping into anything "tells Margreth. "She ate her bowl of fish straight away. And after just 3 days she was totally adjusted to her new environment. Also with our other cat Katty who's 19 she get's along great" That Stevie is very happy with her new place is very obvious. "When Jan gets back from his work , Stevie jumps straight on his lap. The rest of the day she follows me around the house. In the fenced garden she can go out safely, and last week she even catched a toad! She may be blind , but her ears and nose work really well! We are really happy with her." Jan and Margreth thank you very much! We are very happy that although Stevia is handicapped she got a new chance in life!

Dog Samos totally at home in Fysland 2009-07-17

Last year in October Samos (dog) found a new family with Piet en Huite from Leeuwarden (Fryslan). When Samos left Greece he was quite shy, but then he didn't know his new family yet: who's afraid of them? "Samos is luckily totally not afraid of us"says Piet. " He needed some time to get to know us , but now he is at ease, it took him some time to get to trust us totally. When Huite is sleeping in the morning, Samos runs upstairs and jumps on the bed to give him kisses" Who thinks Samos only made human friends got it wrong. Piet: " We also have 2 jack russells, trinke and Lotte, the 3 dogs are the best friends!" Beside adopting Samos Piet en Huite also collected over 100 kg of dogfood at their local petshops. On the pictures you can see the result. Piet and Huite thank you very much!!

Bitsy 2009-07-15

Bitsy was always a little bit timid, not so strange if you consider how she was brought in..... She was brought by her previous owner in a tweed mail bag with a big knot in it. She was shy also for the other dogs but slowly slowly she changed, first she had to get to know you a bit but then she was quite comfarteble sitting with you and than she loved the attention. Now Bitsy is a friendly happy dog living with her new family (family haberkost) in Germany.

Pino 2009-07-15

Pino was brought to shelter by a man in a pick up, he was in the back. Although Pino is a small dog he soon found out he is very handy in climbing on to things, he would be on the roof all day running up and down, but always trying to be as close as possible to the volunteers. His favorite toy was a plastic bottle, he could play with it for hours! Now he is living happily with Verana and Jorg in Germany.

Boufas, Buffy 2009-03-09

When we saw boufas for the first time on the picture it was love at first sight. We liked her because she really looks like a stray dog and had a simple loving look in her eyes. When she moved to us she was very shy and cautious in the beginning, but very friendly and curious for everything new. I grew up with dogs but never met such an intelligent thing like our "frettchen" She can empty wastebuckets or plastic bags , as well as open zippers or buttons, she can find everything eatable even if it is hidden... She enjoys to play her favorite game with a ball and knows the difference between the words left, right and straight! She is really ready for everything. She has no fear anymore and can hear every noise without panic. There is no other guarding dog or pet dog to wish. We don't give our Buffy back no more! kind regards Regine Mohr

Isa and Gora 2009-03-02

Maybe it is best for Jose and Mathijs to spend their holiday some where else next year....it seems they adopt a sweet Samos dog every time the come over (of course we do hope they come again next year....) In 2007 they visited the shelter on Samos and Isa draw their attention, she had to come over to Holland they were really keen on adopting this girl. She found a good home with Jose and Mathijs and their sweet 13 year old Italian hunting dog, Ledro. When they are on holiday on Samos they always come over to the shelter to walk some dogs and play with them. The year after they came to visit the shelter again during their holiday, where they've met Gora. She also had the luck to be adopted by them! In the beginning Isa and Gora were quite shy but with a lot of love and patience that's so much better now! The dogs are enjoying their new life a lot, they go cycling every day with Mathijs and they have a few hectares of ground around their house where they can play and roam around. A dogs life can be great! Here some pictures we received by mail, click on the pictures to enlarge.

Agmet, now called Archie 2009-01-31

HI everyody my name is Archie. Before I came to Holland I used to live in Samos my name there was Agmet. I came to Holland about one and a half years ago. And I am very happy here! The lady who adopted me also wants to tell something about me: The minute Archie walked into my home I fell in Love with him. Actually I would foster him, until he would find a good home, but looking at him I realized I couldn't give him away anymore. And I never regretted that moment for one second! He is so sweet. He loves taking walks, he loves food and he loves to play with me. Since a couple of months he's got a friend from Spain, her name is Phoebe. And they are great together! They play and sleep together. A while ago Archie ate something bad on the streets (poison???) and got very ill. After that he also got diagnosed with Leishmania. Now he's got the right medicine for it and he is feeling fine with 2 little pills a day. I am very glad that the people in Samos took Archie in, and let him be adopted abroad. Archie is together with Phoebe and my 3 cats, one of the most important things in my life. Acs: Thank you for adopting Archie! It's great to see him so happy and enjoying the finer things in life!

Another happy ending this time for Salt! 2009-01-26

We received the email below from the new family of Salt: "Here a message from Ouddorp (a village in the Netherlands). I am still very happy with my little Samos/ Salt! We didn't regret it for one moment she is a superdog! She is also very good friends with my other 2 dogs, in the beginning they didn't really like there new samos sister, but now they are always playing together and are having the best time! We also worried about her a lot , she had to undergo quite a big surgery on her hip. She was limping and her hip was aching ...after an x-ray and a scan it turned out something had to be done. It was quite something but it's al in the past now and it all worked out great! That's 4 weeks ago today. I was just checking out your website and saw all the happy endings and figured Salt has a happy ending to." We always enjoy the emails we get from happy dogs who had to struggle in Samos to survive and are now l9iving as kings/ queens! We hope you do so to! We are very excited about the fact that Salt got that chance on a good life!

Lefki adopted by Alex and Katja 2009-01-05

We received this happy Christmas greeting from Alex and Katja with their dogs Lefki (the white one) and kalle. They first met Lefki on their holiday while visiting the shelter. It was their plan to bring Lefki to Germany and find a good house for her. but after a few visits they fell in love even more and hey decided to bring her to their own home! We are very pleased with the fact that Lefki (who is looking like an angel) found a good home so easily! Thanks for the Christmas greeting Alex and Katja!

Sammie 2008-11-27

Sammie was born on the streets of Samos Island together with his brother Barra. They were crying and begging for some attention and food, when suddenly two people came along, Raymond and Linda. They liked all the attention they got and did't mind to be cuddled at all! Linda and Raymond weren't allowed to take them to their hotel so they brought the dogs to the shelter of animal care samos. Sammie and Barra found it a bit exciting in between all the big dogs in the shelter but the loving care of the volunteers made it all okay! Linda and Raymond visited them everyday and cuddled them a lot and even walked them on a leash this was a bit scary for them at first but soon they found out it was fun to walk! Then Jan and Kathleen (2 dutch supporters/volunteers) took sammie with them in the plane to Holland because Linda and Raymond wanted to adopte him! Sammie was allowed to sit free on their lap in the plane and every body had a good time. When they arrived in Amsterdam airport Linda and Raymond were allready waiting for their Sammie and he was over joyed to see them again! He found a house for him self! a lucky chap he is! every day he goes for a walk in the forrest and Linda is at home a lot so he's almost never alone. They go to puppy training every Saturday and Sammie really likes it especcially the treats!!

Polly 2008-11-23

Polly had a rough start on Samos, she was brought by her owner because she was living in a chicken house and all the chickens were picking her skin. She weight only 2 kilos! And her fur could definitely do with some grooming because it was full with dreads. Because at the time that tom and Ingrid (2 volunteers) were going back to Holland there was no foster house yet for Polly, they decided to bring her along to their house and find a good house from there. Just when they had grown real attached to Polly in their home Jan and Kathleen (2 supporters) called to tell that a friend of theirs was looking for a dog. Sp Polly could go to Frida! After the good care of Frida Polly is now looking great and weighs 7 kilo! Polly goes every where with her mom Frida, even when they go shopping she is allowed in every store! We are almost sure that Polly has forgotten about her rough time in Samos!

Kruimel found a home in Holland 2008-11-23

Kruimeltje was quite a character when it was dumped at the shelter by some people, she didn't want to be picked up and growled. So as you can imagine it was not a dog we would rehome with just anybody.It would have to be someone who could handle a dog with such character, had enough experience and would know how to deal with her dominance. We needed a special home for this dog! And we found one! Mark, one of our volunteers who allready did a lot of transports, has a friend who was looking for companion dog for her dog. So when she heard the story of Kruimel she was enthusiastic immediately, and ready to take this challenge! So Kruimel went to Holland, and from day one she turned out to be a different dog! She likes to be picked up and cuddle all day long! Did we misjudge her? Or does she realize she has finally found a home for her self? We are very happy that our Kruimel has such a great loving home! And that someone had the courage to give this dog a chance!

Yanna adopted in Holland 2008-11-21

Ellen fell for Yanna immediately when she saw her for the first time on Samos shelter, so soon it became clear she wanted to adopt this doggie. So said and done Yanna came to Holland! Ellen and her son Vincent and her daughter Esther are overjoyed with Yanna! The first night when Yanna was in their house vincent even woke up in the middle of the night and asked his mom if Yanna was really there or if it was just a happy dream... Yanna was in the beginning an overexcited cheeky dog, climbing on the table and on the kitchen's work top, you do have to be sure there is no food there , right? But in the meanwhile Yanna learned a lot she comes on command and even sits down if you ask her to! Because she is a mix with a hunting breed type of dog, it was quite exciting how it would click with the house cat and Yanna, which luckily turned out to be fine! If the cat is sleeping she even gives her soft kisses, isn't that sweet? Yanna is doing great! And this family wouldn't wanna miss her for anything in the world!

Ruby 2008-11-16

Hello, my name is Ruby. I am a pure Samiot and I came to Germany with the last airplane out of Samos in 2003. I just arrived in the shelter when I was adopted by a family. There it took me four weeks to learn the basic commands, how to walk next to a bicycle and riding in a car. Today I enjoy my new life, following my hobbies which are riding Kayak, going to the sauna and taking looong walks.

Nelis and Benchi happily rehomed with Klaus and Anita! 2008-11-10

Klaus and Anita are 2 great persons who help at the shelter during their holidays at Samos since the beginning of the organisation. Their last holiday they fell in love with benchi and it was decided that he would come to Germany with the next transport. Nelis would also come to Germany to be rehomed with the mother of Klaus, but it turned out differently. After Nelis arrived it became very clear that he wasn't going any where else than to stay with Klaus and Anita! The dogs are very happy to stay with Klaus and Anita and they are very happy to have these bundles of joy in their house! We would also like to thank Klaus and Anita for their ongoing support and their hospitality for our volunteers during the transports. No matter at what time they show up in the middle of the night or in the early morning they are always welcoming them in their home for a good meal, a hot shower, some sleep and a good cup of coffee! So thank you very much!!

Lisa (Tessa) rehomed! 2008-11-10

What was supposed to be an ordinary holiday turned out differently for Anja and Liesbeth. On their last holiday on Samos they went to visit the shelter to see how things run in a Greek shelter and look at the animals there. They noticed a scruffy looking dog who didn't look to good. It was lisa she was just brought in by a woman from Kokkari. The woman didn't inderstand why the skin of the dog looked so irritated and why it was so irritating and itchy, ity turned out that poor Lisa was covered by hundred of fleas! Immediately she was treated for this together with a worm treatment. Liesbeth and Anja pretty soon decided that Lisa had to come home with them, and give her a second chance for a lucky life! Unfortunately it was impossible to take her by plane so Tom and Ingrid took her with them as soon as they went back to Holland. Now she is very happy with her new mommy's! she was brought to the vet the day after she arrived and it turned out she has to parasites living on her skin but she is now getting treatment and she will be better soon! She is now called Tessa called after a Greek goddes. We are very pleased Tessa got a second chance for a new happy, healthy and long live in Holland!

Samos (the dog...) found a nice family! 2008-11-10

Samos found a new family in Leeuwarden ( city in Holland) When Huite and Piet visited the shelter in Samos, the dog Samos (then called Sammie) catched their eye. They realised there was enough place and love left in their house to give Samos a great new life! All though they already share their home with 2 jack russels and 3 cats there was no doubt in their mind. Samos was quite sick she had pneumonia and needed medical care daily. Every one was quite worried, even the children from the neighborhood came to visit Samos, and slowly she seemed to get better! Now she is doing well and started to regain her appetite and is wagging her tail more and more every day. She is slowly realizing life indeed can be fun! And she is very happy with all her two and four legged friends. The children in her neighborhood are even going to hold a presentation on their school about the island Samos and the situation on it. We are overjoyed that Samos was so lucky to find these great people!

Garry 2008-03-27

Garry was brought to the shelter by a farmer. a really nice dog with a really good charachter! In the transport af peter and farida he was brought to germany where he found a new owner, and not just anybody it's Jean-Claude Juncker the Prime Minister of Luxembourg!

kroepoek 2008-03-27

Kroepoek who used to live at the airport of samos, is adopted by volunteers nick an dorien. after 4 hard years in samos she now found somebody she can call her own! she adapted really well, and is very happy with her new owners and with her dogfriend axel!

Bjorra 2008-03-27

Bjorra was found by a couple micheline and ronald when thet were for holidays in samos. bjorra had a collar grown in to her skin, and they brought her to the shelter. in the beginning she was quite shy but after a wile she realised that the people who were feeding her were actually really nice! she went to Holland were she found a great house. micheline and rinald went there to visit her and it was a great meeting! pictures say more than words!

Nienke 2008-03-19

Nienke was in the shelter for quite some time but finaly it was decided that Edith (one of our volunteers) would take her in her home and try to find a good loving family for her. It al worked out really nice and now she has a place he can call her home. Her new owners called her Miele (like the vacuumcleaners) cause she always cleans the floor, at least when there is food on it...

Pheadra 2008-03-19

Pheadra before called wally has found a really nice house in Holland. First she stayed in a foster home for some time and then she was adopted, she has a little "brother" now, and they have a lot of fun!

Sara 2008-03-19

Sara used to live outside of the shelter of Samos, she was to shy to be stroked but after some time she found out that the shelter people are really nice and slowly slowly she was more easy to approach. than she started living inside the shelter and finally she went on a trip to germany where a loving couple was waiting for her. And now she seems quite comfortable in her new home!

Inca 2008-03-19

Small hunting dog inca went to germany to be rehomed, and he found a loving family!