Empowering Strays: A US-based Veterinarian's Incredible Journey to Save Greece's Beloved Cats

Growing up in the 1990s on the secluded island of Karpathos, Greece, Anna Katogiritis encountered difficulties forming friendships at school due to her small stature. Nevertheless, she discovered solace and companionship in the numerous stray cats that wandered the island, nestled between Rhodes and Crete.

According to Mars Petcare, Greece has one of the largest stray cat and dog populations in the world, estimated to be around three million. For Katogiritis, who was born in Athens, the wandering felines of Karpathos provided a glimpse of a kinder world during her childhood, despite the unkindness she often faced at school. They played a significant role in making her early years special.

Childhood promise

Katogiritis says the strays on the island showed her "a kinder version of our world," while she was growing up.

Courtesy Anna Katogiritis

"During that time, looking after stray cats was the only thing that brought me hope and a more positive outlook on the world," Katogiritis shares with CNN Travel. "It was receiving kindness from anything other than people, I suppose."

Despite her family's eventual relocation to the US, followed by a return to Athens, Katogiritis remained determined to come back one day and assist her beloved "stray cat friends" on Karpathos.

"This is where my aspiration to become a veterinarian originated," she shares. "I felt a strong desire to repay the animals that had been a source of immense support during my childhood."

Katogiritis elaborates that she was unaware of the existence of veterinarians, as there were none on the island back then. However, she would express her career preference as being "a doctor, specifically for animals."

Katogiritis, after completing her degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Crete, was presented with an opportunity to attend the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Relocating to Virginia, she crossed paths with her future spouse.

She continued to volunteer for the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), embarking on trips to the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo. During this time, she developed a profound connection with Goodall, whom she regards as both a friend and mentor. However, her commitment to the abandoned animals of Karpathos remained ever-present in her thoughts.

Katogiritis observed that although the island has gained two veterinarians and a local animal welfare group since her departure, the issue of stray animals persists. As of 2018, she initiated the development of her non-profit organization called Animal Welfare Karpathos, focused on rescue and education. This organization was officially established in August 2020, with the recruitment of members and volunteers from the aforementioned local group.

Giving back

Despite facing setbacks in securing funding, Katogiritis made the decision to finance the pilot program personally. She not only bought the necessary medical equipment and medications but also provided financial support for three volunteer veterinary students who agreed to accompany her from the US to Greece.

Katogiritis teaches a student pre-operative care steps for anesthetized cats during the 2021 spay/neuter program in Karpathos, Greece.

Sophia Hiras/ Animal Welfare Karpathos

Although the start date was initially delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Katogiritis was able to begin the program in 2021.

"It was a truly exhilarating experience to have the opportunity to announce my return as a veterinarian, allowing me to finally fulfill that aspect of my commitment," she expresses. "The emotional impact was profound."

In the initial year, Katogiritis, accompanied by a group of dedicated volunteers, traversed from one village to another, equipped with their provisions and gear, establishing mobile clinics aimed at performing spaying and neutering procedures on stray cats. Approximately 300 to 320 felines received treatment over a span of three weeks, according to her estimations.

"We could have accomplished much more," states Katogiritis. "However, our primary emphasis was connecting with the community and igniting a sense of responsibility towards caring for stray animals.

"Consequently, I devoted a significant portion of my time that year and throughout the program conversing with the locals, zealously discussing our vision and emphasizing the dire need for assistance to these stray creatures."

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"Just making sure that they could understand the value of the program so they could welcome future endeavors with enthusiasm."

Fortunately, this method was proven to be effective. Katogiritis suggests that this success was partially attributed to the response of tourists who vacation on the island, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, and who expressed great interest in the organization's efforts.

"I believe they appreciated the tourists' enthusiasm for our work," she confesses. "Hence, they decided to fully support the program, recognizing its positive impact on tourism."

Changing mentalities

Some individuals who have encountered Katogiritis and her team while they are engaged in their work have graciously chosen to contribute to the program, whereas several local hotels have generously provided complimentary accommodations to the volunteers.

Katogiritis speaks to local elementary school students during a community outreach event on Karpathos island in 2022.

In 2022, Anna Katogiritis, who was five months pregnant at the time, revisited the island, which has a population of slightly over 6,000, to participate in the program. She made another visit last year.

Being able to change people's attitudes towards animals is one of the organization's most significant responsibilities, as emphasized by her. She believes that involving children from an early age has played a crucial role in achieving this goal. "By inviting schools, we give children the opportunity to witness firsthand our work," she explains.

Children have the opportunity to participate in all our programs, including witnessing real surgeries and learning to trap animals. We provide a comprehensive education on the entire process. This initiative aims to transform mindsets and ultimately have a lasting positive impact on animal welfare.

Katogiritis shares a heartwarming incident from her visit to an elementary school in Karpathos. A young girl confidently approached a local vet and expressed her determination to become the next veterinarian on the island, all to assist the stray animals. This inspiring incident has brought hope and renewed courage to Katogiritis, as she documents her journey on her Instagram account.

In addition to the spay and neutering program, Animal Welfare Karpathos actively assists in rehoming stray animals. Dedicated members and volunteers provide foster care for cats requiring urgent medical attention.

Furthermore, the organization plays a vital role in facilitating animal adoptions. To adopt one of the stray animals, individuals must complete an application process which entails an interview and the formal signing of an agreement.

Katogiritis explains that while there are no adoption fees, applicants are required to cover the travel costs of the animals, as well as the crate used to transport the animal.

Taking action

Katogiritis (left), with Dr. Jane Goodall, who she describes as a "friend and mentor," during a talk at a school in Athens in 2016.

"The Facebook group (Animal Welfare Karpathos) connects the community of adopters, who frequently share photos and videos of our cherished rescues," she mentions. Additionally, Animal Welfare Karpathos has successfully placed over 300 pets in loving homes within the previous three years.

Seeing cats and dogs, who were on the brink of death, now living happy lives and being showered with love, truly brings joy.

Katogiritis attributes the stray feline problem in Greece to years of government neglect.

The high number of stray animals in the country, including Karpathos, can be attributed to the absence of spay and neuter programs. According to her, the government's attempt to address this issue by making neutering mandatory for all companion pets was met with opposition from a significant portion of the population in Greece, particularly in 2021.

Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry of Greece declared that individuals who opt not to sterilize their cats and dogs will be obligated to provide their pets' DNA to a specialized laboratory. This measure aims to aid authorities in identifying individuals who abandon or mistreat their pets.

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Those who dont neuter their pets or present a genetic sample may face a 1,000 euro fine.

CNN has contacted Greeces Interior Ministry for further comment.

More than 700 animals in Karpathos have undergone spaying or neutering through the Animal Welfare Karpathos programs. Currently, Katogiritis is preparing to conduct the program again in April 2024. She explains that they have found the most effective results in managing cat populations by concentrating on one village at a time.

Karpathos, the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, is well-known for its impressive coastline and rugged terrain.

Katogiritis visits her family on the island twice a year, as they have all chosen to reside there. She expresses joy in returning to the country she holds dear.

Ongoing work

Located between Rhodes and Crete, Karpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands.

Tuul & Bruno Morandi/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images

In August 2022, she joyfully welcomed her daughter, Julia Konstantina, and had the opportunity to bring her to Karpathos the previous year.

Despite her strong sense of pride in her work, Katogiritis acknowledges that the journey has been challenging. She frequently encounters opposition from those who do not share her perspective.

"Making a clinic-approved room a reality is a challenging task," she states confidently. "And the impressive outcome speaks for itself."

While acknowledging the distance yet to be covered, Katogiritis remains optimistic about the future.

Currently, she is focused on implementing various programs to effectively manage the stray cat populations on the island. Additionally, she aims to persuade the younger generation to recognize the importance of caring for animals and proactively contribute to their well-being.

"I aspire to make a significant impact through our efforts, so that attitudes towards animals are transformed and everyone becomes a vocal advocate for their welfare, actively engaging in positive actions," she expresses.

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"And I think were reaching that goal with the younger generation - the older generation is a little bit more difficult to change."

Katogiritis, the founder of Veterinary Global Aid, a non-profit organization established last year to offer free care to animals in need worldwide, states that her ultimate objective is to render her services redundant.

"Such a sentiment extends to all volunteers and individuals engaged in philanthropic and charitable endeavors," she emphasizes.

Currently, Katogiritis is dedicated to fulfilling her commitment to the stray cats of Karpathos. She affirms that she wouldn't alter anything about the process and expresses gratitude to her team of dedicated volunteers who initiated the Animal Welfare Karpathos program and sustain its operations.

"She emphasizes that having ideas alone is not enough; without a proficient team, those ideas cannot thrive. Consequently, while she may have conceived the idea, it is the collective effort of numerous individuals that transforms it into reality."