Dog walk raises more than £2k for Greek animal shelter

A total of 28 walkers and 14 dogs took part in the four-mile walk organised by Beaminster couple, Sue and David Wells, earlier this month, starting and finishing at the Hare and Hounds pub in Waytown.

The couple will travel to the Greek island of Skiathos to hand over the money to the charity shelter, Skiathos Friends of the Animals.

The aim is to provide vet treatment and care for the many abandoned cats and dogs on the island and hopefully find them new homes in Europe and the UK, with some already being rehomed in the west Dorset area.

Mrs Wells said: "We have just received our latest donation - a cheque for £100.

"We would also like to thank the landlords of the Hare and Hounds for generously hosting the event."

Beaminster couple Sue and David Wells have organised the annual event for more than 20 years.

Skiathos is a small island situated in the north western Aegean. It attracts thousands of visitors in the summer months.

Like most countries in southern Europe and the Balkans, Greece has a serious problem with stray dogs and cats.

Skiathos, although tiny, had many abandoned dogs. They formed packs and people were afraid of them. Eventually some concerned residents got together and opened a shelter in Skiathos town – unfortunately it quickly became unmanageable.

It was too close to where people lived and worked. The local monastery (Evangelistria) offered a piece of land well out of town, between another beautiful monastery (Panagia Kounistria) and the town landfill.

So the Skiathos Dog Shelter was created. That was in 1995.

A spokesman from the Skiathos Dog Shelter said: "We do not home dogs to families who will chain them up or keep them outside.

"We believe that a dog is for life and that every dog deserves a happy, secure future."

Donations are still welcome. For more information, contact: 01308 863585 or 07791 941656, or alternatively email: krazykats@uwclub.net

Also, visit: www.skiathosdogshelter.com