Out of all the places I’ve travelled to, I don’t think I’ve been to anywhere and seen so many cats as I have in Greece. My latest visit was no exception but this time I also noticed a lot of very friendly and enchanting dogs, not forgetting the donkeys, like the one that carried me up to Manolas.
Under the guise of sharing some cute pictures of some of the many four-legged friends I met on Satorini, I’d also like to tell you about the great work that Santorini Animals Welfare Association do, so please read on.
This little cutie popped up to say a timid hello in Manolas on Thirassia
and just around round the corner this lovely dog found us very curious.
It all got a bit too much for this sleepy cat in Oia but he put a smile on many a passer-by’s face.
 My equine ride and friends on Thirassia.
 A beautiful cat in Pyrgos and a friendly little dog in Oia.Â
 This lovely fella joined us for breakfast each morning by the beach in Kamari.
All the animals I saw seemed well cared for, not least because of a wonderful non-profit organisation, the Santorini Animal Welfare Assocation, SAWA for short.
It was founded in 1993 for the purpose of protecting Santorini animals, from neutering stray dogs to rescuing and caring for retired donkeys and mules. They have also done a wonderful job supporting the rights of working animals such as the donkeys found in many villages climbing up and down the hillsides with a tourist on their back.
If you are an animal lover and wish to support SAWA you can become a member for just 20 euros a year. But there are many ways you can help, from volunteering during your holiday, adopting a stray animal or even by escorting one being re-homed abroad.
At present they are facing many challenges and need your support now more than ever.
Visit their website for more information, SawaSantorini.org and like their Facebook page to keep up-to-date with current events.
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This was such a nice way to mix up a travel post Kat. The photos of the kitties were so cute and I love to hear about different ways to pay it forward when we travel. The SAWA in Santorini is a great place to do it.
SAWA do a fantastic job, despite many difficulties they’ve had to overcome.
Nice way to get photos of cats on your blog. 🙂
But really, nice photos, and thanks for the information about SAWA.
I have taken an occasional photo of animals during my travels, but not to this extent.
Especially when It comes to cats, I just can’t help myself 🙂
Love all the pictures of the pretty kitties! So glad to hear that they have someone looking out for them. I know in a lot of places, that isn’t the case.
I’m a sucker for a cute looking cat too (it’s my substitute when I’m missing my cats back home) – and it’s great that the animals in Santorini have the SAWA looking out for them.
Lovely shots Kat! I remember watching in Turkey as a mother cat taught her two young kittens to hunt in the hotel garden. We spent at least an hour totally fascinated – I don’t think the poor gecko she was using was too impressed though. So good to hear of an organisation like SAWA helping the many strays.
Thanks Suzanne and she it is good to know that they have someone looking out for them.
And I can imagine that it was both fascinating and painful to watch those cats in Turkey. I can completely understand why it transfixed you. I’m sure I’d be the same.