Hydra Ark’s Accomplishments for the Year 2025: A Year of Dedication to Hydra Animal Welfare

Hydra Ark’s Accomplishments for the Year 2025: A Year of Dedication to Hydra Animal Welfare

Hydra Ark in a spirit of transparency and gratitude, proudly presents a summary of its work in 2025, highlighting the efforts to improve the lives of Hydra’s feline residents.

Winter Food Program 2024–2026

During the winters of 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, Hydra Ark ensured that the island’s cats were fed through harsh weather, thanks to supporters and volunteers. From November 2024 to May 2025, 21 feeding stations received 21 bags per month, with 46 bags in February.

A total of 172 high-quality bags were distributed at a cost of €7,927.53 (VAT included).

Summer donations were saved and stored, resulting in nine sacks of 28–30 kg each, to restock stations at the start of November 2025.

For November and December 2025, Hydra Ark purchased 40 additional bags at a cost of €1,997.98.

The number of stations was reduced to 20 as cats from the AEN Hill station moved to the Museum area. During visits to several areas, four new municipal feeders were observed at Mandraki, Avlaki, and after Pyrofani. While municipal involvement is growing, some areas remain under-served, and Hydra Ark continues to maintain stations in hard-to-reach locations. Rising costs, limited volunteer availability, logistical challenges, and the absence of municipal support for all stations remain major hurdles. Hydra Ark collaborates with SAR volunteers, who manage 10 stations of the 20, with Hydra Ark providing 10 bags per month to support their work. Additional food and volunteer coverage are provided to other stations by our volunteers. In November, 10 bags were purchased from Pet Area, 10 from Healthy Pets, and 20 were ordered for December from both pet shops to support local businesses. The feeding program is critical during winter when the island is largely empty. The effort continues from late October or early November until April or May, and volunteer shortages—often women managing physically demanding tasks—limit expansion.

TNR Sessions and Veterinary Care 2025

In March 2025, 60 cats received sterilization or veterinary care. Most were young, in good condition, and largely free of parasites. Twenty-eight females and 22 males were sterilized, totaling 50 cats. Dental care was provided to six cats, and 15 cats received both sterilization and dental treatment. Other medical cases included two cats with cancer (one auricular with nasal metastasis and one periocular), one amputation, two anesthetized for dermatological exams, and four vaccinated. A special case involved a roughly two-year-old male black-and-white cat from Vlychos with a comminuted, open, infected left forelimb fracture. Amputation was necessary due to infection and lack of limb sensation, ensuring a faster recovery and good quality of life.

The March financial summary included 58 surgeries at €36 each, totaling €2,088, with additional charges for amputation, cytology, hematology, dermatology, and vaccinations amounting to €210. The subtotal of €2,298 plus 24% VAT (€552) brought the total veterinary expenses (gross) to €2,850. Additional costs included food for vets (€256.50), vet tickets (€129.60), and TNR supplies (€115.40). Accommodation was kindly provided by Irini Tavladoraki (Erofili Pension). 23 cats were trapped from the Vlychos area, where the population has exploded and is a major concern.

In November 2025, 43 cats were neutered or spayed, including 26 females and 17 males. Five also received dental or ear treatments. Other treatments included one cat with cancer, two with dental disease, one with an ear polyp, and three examined for general medical issues. A tiny male kitten, 2.5–3 months old and weighing 0.75 kg, with a severe right-eye infection underwent enucleation in Athens. He recovered well and is now playful under foster care.

The November financial summary included 48 surgeries at €36 each, totaling €1,728, with additional fees of €60 and a blood test costing €50, giving a subtotal of €1,838. VAT at 24% added €441.12, making the grand total €2,279.12. Vets’ accommodation was €194, meals €225, and boat tickets €140. All expenses were covered by Hydra Ark.

Veterinary & Rescue Report 2025

During 2025, Hydra Ark managed numerous emergency rescues involving critically ill cats. Many cases required intensive veterinary care, long-term treatment, and difficult ethical decisions to prevent suffering.

Representative cases included:

 Ville Valo, admitted in February 2025 at approximately seven months old, suffering from severe bacterial infection, extreme pain, starvation, lethargy, dehydration, diarrhea, and severe bilateral purulent otitis. Following three weeks of intensive treatment, Ville Valo made a full recovery. The total cost of care was €446.40, covered by Hydra Ark.

Scot, a ~10-year-old male neutered cat, was found severely neglected with anemia and chronic inflammation. Despite initial improvement, his condition deteriorated and he passed away. Total cost of care was €496, covered by Hydra Ark.

Toulis, an ~8-year-old FIV-positive male, underwent multiple tooth extractions for severe stomatitis and is now active in his colony under volunteer supervision. Total cost of care was €352.43, covered by Hydra Ark.

Ricco presented with systemic FIP and liver failure and required intensive supportive care before humane euthanasia was performed. Total cost of care was €471.20, covered by Hydra Ark.

Mimi, an elderly port cat, was debilitated with painful oral ulcers and anemia. Humane euthanasia was deemed necessary, with a total cost of care of €272.80, covered by Hydra Ark.

Orion, a tiny kitten with a severe eye infection, underwent enucleation and intensive treatment, costing €248, covered by Hydra Ark.

Other kitten and cat rescues included Kamini & Giasemi kittens, Grey Female Cat from Kamini, Aris (Ginger Port Cat), and one adult male cat in end-stage kidney failure. Some cases are ongoing. Costs yet to be determined.

In total, 13 cats and kittens were treated, 6 with finalized costs totaling €2,286.83, fully covered by Hydra Ark, while 7 cases remain ongoing or costs yet to be determined.

Other Actions

A new cat house was installed at Kourmada, costing €150, and repairs and maintenance of wooden stations and shelters cost €400. The old Mandraki station was relocated due to a new municipal feeder being placed in the same spot. Maintenance is increasingly difficult due to rising costs, limited skilled labor, volunteer shortages, and logistical challenges. Other kinds of feeders and houses may be needed for sustainability.

Financial Overview 2025

During the Winter Food Program 2024–2025, Hydra Ark distributed 172 high-quality bags at a total cost of €7,927.53 (VAT included). For the Winter Food Program 2025–2026, 40 additional bags were purchased for November and December at a cost of €1,997.98, bringing the total spent on cat food to €9,925.51.

March 2025 TNR expenses included 58 surgeries at €36 each, totaling €2,088, with additional charges for amputation, cytology, hematology, dermatology, and vaccinations amounting to €210, giving a subtotal of €2,298. VAT at 24% added €552, bringing the total veterinary expenses (gross) to €2,850. Additional costs included food for vets (€256.50), vet tickets (€129.60), and TNR supplies (€115.40). Accommodation was kindly provided by Irini Tavladoraki (Erofili Pension).

November 2025 TNR expenses included 48 surgeries at €36 each, totaling €1,728, with additional fees of €60 and a blood test costing €50, giving a subtotal of €1,838. VAT at 24% added €441.12, making the grand total €2,279.12. Vets’ accommodation was €194, meals €225, and boat tickets €140.

For six finalized individual emergency veterinary care cases, Ville Valo (Kimon) required €446.40, Scot €496.00, Toulis €352.43, Ricco €471.20, Mimi €272.80, and Orion €248.00, giving a subtotal of €2,286.83.

Other actions included the new cat house at Kourmada costing €150 and repairs and maintenance of wooden stations and shelters costing €400. The total confirmed expenditures for 2025 were €9,925.51 for food, €7,416.95 for TNR and veterinary expenses (including March and November TNRs and finalized emergency cases), and €550 for other actions, giving a grand total of €17,892.46.

New Goals for 2026

Hydra Ark plans to continue sterilizations, medical care, feeding, vaccination, and parasite control. Winter months remain challenging due to financial constraints, rising food costs, limited volunteers, and the physical difficulties of transporting supplies without vehicles. Municipal support remains crucial; while some progress is visible, full coverage of all areas is still lacking. Hydra Ark intends to submit proposals to the City Council to help find sustainable solutions for stray animal welfare.

Acknowledgements

Deep thanks to members, volunteers, donors, and veterinarians for their tireless efforts. Special gratitude to SAR volunteers, a new animal welfare organization on Hydra, and Mrs. Eleni Christodoulou, the publisher of Voice of Hydra (FONI TIS YDRAS), for media support. Hydra Ark has worked continuously since 2007 to make Hydra a truly animal-friendly place. All programs are funded entirely through subscriptions and donations, with 98% of members foreign and 2% Greek.

Warm wishes for a healthy and happy New Year.