We live on an island that has an ever increasing abundance of animals. Each animal both morally and by law is entitled to care and shelter. For six years and more the Mykonos Animal Welfare have been doing their very best to help as many of our strays as possible and at the same time are helping many Mykonians who simply cannot afford the cost of animal care but love the animals on the island and cannot sit by and watch them suffer.

This year the Town Hall have decided to half the budget for the vet and will therefore be depriving many animals of the care that they will deperately need. Last year the Town Hall agreed to pay up to 30,000.00 Euro to cover the vet costs. This amount was used within seven months showing very clearly that more would be need this year and yet they still decided to cut the budget by half.

For years the Mykonos Animal Welfare has shouldered the work load and responsibility for the animals of Mykonos. This job is and always was the responsibility of the Town Hall. The new laws that were recently passed state very clearly that it is the responsibility of the Municipality to form a team in collaboration with the welfare and the goal is to have a system to collect and handle the management and treatment of the strays. The welfare is to collaborate with the Town Hall to ensure the protection of the animals.

The Municipality is also responsible for a shelter to temporarily house animals. The goal of the shelter is to provide all the necessary treatment and care of the animals.

Even though these requirements are clearly stated the Town Hall of Mykonos have been unable to provide any land, space, shelter or physical help with the ongoing daily work. Consequently all the stray dogs are housed at the homes of two of the members of the welfare and all the daily running around is done again by the same two or three members of the committee. As well as this we are constantly trying to raise extra money through bazaars, cake bakes and donations to finance all the expenses that range from dog houses, flights for rehomed dogs, medication, pet taxis, telephones, gas etc. in order to keep going forward with this very important community service.

We are asking all of you to please sign our petition requesting that the Town Hall of Mykonos increase the budget for 2011 to at least 30,000.00 Euro to cover the vet bills. We are also asking that you sign this petition to demand that the shelter and help that by law they should provide should be provided.