Healing Paws Animal Rescue

Healing Paws Animal Rescue is a small, family, and volunteer run animal rescue on the Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante).  We are dedicated to saving the lives of stray and abandoned animals on the island. Healing Paws Animal Rescue was founded by British expat, Sue Deeth in 2011. Sue started by rescuing a few stray and abandoned dogs and cats on the island and, through her network of friends and supporters across the UK, Holland and Germany, she was able to find loving homes for these unwanted animals. From these humble beginnings, support has grown and to date, over 3,000 dogs, puppies and cats have found their forever families. Unwanted puppies and kittens are frequently discarded in plastic bags in rubbish bins or unwanted animals are taken up into the mountains by their owners and abandoned by the roadside without any water, food or shelter, leaving them to starve to death or be killed on the roads. Around the main tourist resorts some islanders will use poison to control the stray animal population. Sue, daughter Robbie, and son Oliver provide loving and caring home environments for these dogs, alongside their own resident cats and dogs. The rescue dogs become very well socialised with other dogs and cats as a result. Sue and her family, which now includes grandchildren too, have dedicated their lives to rescuing stray and abandoned animals and, in April 2018, were successful in registering Healing Paws Animal Rescue as a UK Charity. This provides a more structured framework to support Sue and her work.  Sue is helped by a small team of UK volunteers, who administer the charity and carry out home checks and provide post adoption support. Other volunteers help with social media and fundraising activities, and also respond to the many messages from tourists who see stray, sick and injured animals whilst visiting the island.All donations go towards day-to-day provisions and veterinary care for the rescued animals. We also continue to support and promote the sterilisation of animals, and locate stray dogs, taking them into Sue’s foster care for sterilisation and rehabilitation.Sue’s bigger dream is to provide a purpose-built animal rescue and rehabilitation centre, and to date the charity has purchased the land, which is now fenced and gated.  However, funds are desperately needed to commence construction.   We are entirely reliant on the financial support of our followers, adoptive owners and supporters. Without their help we simply could not do this - all donations are very much appreciated!We are always happy to provide more information about the charity and our work and welcome any ideas for fundraising or other support. Please contact us if you would like to know more. Thank you! The Healing Paws Animal Rescue Team