TAKIS SHELTER - CRETE

"THIS IS NOT A JOB, THIS IS A REASON TO LIVE!" ~ Theoklitos Proestakis

For many years I have been unable to have a dog of my own, due to poor health. I cannot train, walk and have fun with a dog as I did in the past. So I searched online for stories and videos. I came across very many, but my favourite shares new short videos every day. I never miss one.

Theoklitos (Takis) Proestakis’ story began when he visited a rubbish dump near his home town and discovered that, due to economic restraints, people had abandoned their pets there, leaving them to fend for themselves. What he found shocked him and he began to feed and care for the dogs on site. He sold his night club and even his car to purchase a small piece of land.

This documentary, made in 2016, gives you a glimpse into the early days and how much effort went into developing the shelter.

As the shelter grew Takis had given up everything, was living on site in a container and depended upon donations to provide veterinary care, food and safety for the dogs. He expanded the shelter until by 2018 he was working a 20 hour day.

At Takis Shelter in Ierapetra, in the south of Crete, the 400+ rescued dogs and cats have 70,000 square metres of private, enclosed olive groves to run around in thanks to donations received from all over the world. Takis has built a house and many other structures. It is spectacular now!

You can follow the activities by following on Facebook and YouTube.

Also you can find out much more or donate on the website.