Join our TNR program and feral cats in Tala, Cyprus

Infos

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  Description

  I am the founder and sole operator of this cat protection NGO. I am a 66 year old widow from the USA who has dedicated my time to sterilizing the feral cats which elude capture. I have lived in Cyprus for 10 years. I have three adult children and was formally a host for a Foreign Exchange student from China in the school year 2011-2012. To date I have personally captured 5000 cats for surgery and another hundred for injuries needing veterinary treatment. I currently we have 20 kittens living with me awaiting adoption. In my earlier life I worked as a social worker and volunteered in Hospice and Hospital Chaplaincy ministries.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Bénévolat

  S’occuper des animaux

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Films et télé

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Culture

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Plage

  

  Voile / bateau

  

  Animaux
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Cyprus is an EU island country in the eastern Mediterranean. The local people are Greek Cypriot and enjoy their distinctive cuisine as a national pastime. English is spoken widely and there is an expat community spanning both European and Russian inhabitants. Many retirees are from England, Scotland and Scandinavian countries here for the sunshine and golf. The island is significant for its archaeological findings, its rich Greek Orthodox faith, its unique ecosystem and indigenous species of plants and birds. Places to explore include the "path" of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, Scenic Beaches, the Akamas Penisula, numerous wineries, Latchi Port and Harbor, Paphos (European Capital of Culture 2017), a restored and revitalized "Old Town" section for night life, and countless minor villages with traditional stone houses and cobble streets. Within a 90 minute drive are the Troodos Mountains, the divided capital of Nicosia, the port city of Limassol and the international airport at Larnaca. Paphos airport operates on a more limited basis. Visitors should be aware of the historically significant invasion of 1974 in which Turkey invaded and has since occupied the northern coastline of the island. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nicosia is now the last divided capital in the world.

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  Aide

  My project is a Trap-Neuter-Return scheme to curb the birth rate of feral street cats in Paphos Cyprus. It runs under the cat sanctuary
  
  The trapping of cats for sterilization takes place in various locations around the community and usually occurs between 4 PM and dusk. Most of the work day involves basic cleaning and maintenance of the grounds, grooming the cats, changing bedding and newspaper, washing bowls and replacing food and water, administrating medicine and keep a record of any issue or eventuality. Evening trapping is carried out by riding in my Vauxhall Combo van to the particular site and setting up equipment on the premises.
  
  There are boxes and drop traps to be carried to and from the van. Once cats are captured we will transport them to the veterinarian clinic for surgery (next day).
  Occasionally calls occur for injured/sick animals. Some of the general maintenance involves scrubbing the boxes after use, preparing holding pens for female cats remaining overnight, washing bedding, caring for kittens who await adoptions, photographing outings and posting to social media. Because there are many "dumped" kittens the hygienic aspect of housework is essential and so personal. We aim to provide strong infection control, preventing "cross contamination" in their pens. Therefore we will discuss how to preserve the health of the cats here at the house once you are here.
  
  I receive a minimum of ten inquiries each week for trapping and am continuously re prioritizing the schedule of where to respond, therefore it is difficult to give my workers an outline of what to expect. This is a Full On, All Systems Go project requiring perpetual juggling to "keep all the plates in the air." I am involved in the surgical suite of the clinic assisting the vet in the procedures so may be away from the house many hours of the day and then pick up with you after 5 to release operated cats and trap additional ones for the following day.
  
  You may find your experience here relentless. Some of my volunteers have taken to it like a duck to water, however others have felt overwhelmed and expressed that they were both mentally and physically exhausted. Because this area of the world is very middle eastern in its culture, there is a very poor animal welfare standard and many of the call outs can be distressing. You should be prepared that some kittens will die from causes we cannot attend to quickly enough or from infections we cannot get on top of. Furthermore, the laundry will include soiled towels of not only general use but also diarrhea, urine, vomit, blood and the like. This work in PREDOMINANTLY involving FERAL cats, not cats which can be stroked and cuddled. We do have some lovely cats around the property and we have a litter of kittens you will watch grow up, but do not be taken in by my featured pictures that this is a mecca for cat-cuddlers.
  
  In all, I invite you to open communication with me. It is better to state your concerns forthright so we can come to terms about the scope of the project you wish to involve yourself and for you to achieve a balance of sight-seeing, leisure, down time and your contribution to the mission. You will observe that I take little down time of my own which is not to say that the same will be demanded of you. I do turn many applicants away so if you discover that you would prefer to seek a new Workaway Opportunity please be candid with me so that I am not rejecting newcomers for the time period in which I have reserved the bedroom for you. This is rewarding work but I will concur that it is "not for everyone."
  
  Feel free to ask me specifically for further details as you wish.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
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  Hébergement

  The apartment for your accommodation is an annex of my home. It consists of a sitting room with minor cooking facilities including full fridge freezer, a bedroom with double bed (54 inch width) a bathroom with large shower. The bedroom has sliding patio doors onto the courtyard which is enclosed by a fence and hedgerow. The back property line enjoys a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea in which one can see from the Paphos Airport to the beaches of Coral Bay. There is a jacuzzi suitable for year round use. The rooms have both heating and air conditioning. I can assist you with basic grocery shopping and the evening meal will be a mix of dining out, bringing in takeaway meals, light cooking etc.

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  Autres infos...

  Local public transportation here is not very good as busses run infrequently. Most visitors elect to hire a rental car. I can be of assistance in some of the sightseeing. It is worth exploring all of the archaeological sites, especially the mosaics at the Harbor, seeing the ancient frescoes inside the ceilings of the Orthodox churches. Kykkos is among the most famous. Driving through the rural country side you will see herds of goats. ATV can be rented for exploring through the Akamas region. Check travel sites for an endless list of possibilities as Cyprus has something for everyone, beginning with the amazing meze dining experience.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  The speed of my internet connection is reliable for digital nomads.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Un

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  Mes animaux

Sécurité du site

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