Group handled to save 17 cats and 3 dogs prior to the flames struck the property, requiring them to leave – however they then saved another 29 dogs from neighboring
Cats and dogs captured in the Greek wildfires have actually been blended to safety by British animal enthusiasts. Lynda and Julia Thompson, who run animal transportation company Thompson Pet Travel, accompanied Diane Chapman of charity Greek Animal Rescue. Telling of racing to save animals in Saronida, in the south west, Lynda, 63, said: “We needed to reroute 3 various times to get to it due to the fact that the fire was obstructing the roadways. By the time we got to them, ash was moistening our heads.
“There were rivers of flame coming down the mountain and engulfing everything.. It was like the fire was eating the houses. We were grabbing cats and shoving them in cages.”
She and better half Julia, 58, handled to rescue 17 of the 24 cats and 3 dogs prior to the flames struck the property, requiring them to leave. They then saved 29 dogs from close by. Lynda included: “I was scared to death because the fire was surrounding us. I just kept thinking, ‘We have to get these dogs out’.”
The couple, from Southampton, had actually previously gone to rescue 12 dogs from the home of an elderly lady in Lagonisi. Lynda said: “We had to reroute three times as fire was blocking the roads. By the time we got there, ash was raining on our heads.” Diane, 61, from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, is now working to rehome the rescued animals. She said: “Nobody was going to save them but volunteers.”
Manchester filmmaker, Alex Ochman, 30, is likewise taking on the fires capturing Eleousa, in Rhodes, where his sweetheart’s family have a wellness centre. Arriving recently for a vacation, he has actually invested his time as a “makeshift firefighter”.
“It’s hellish, it feels like a warzone,” Alex said. “We are circumnavigating the island with obsolete food from hotels to entrust pails of water for the animals. From 7pm to 3am every night we walk around and attempt to put the fires out with water tanks strapped on our backs. Your fitness instructors are melting on the bottom and you are covered in ash.”
* You can support UK charity Greek Animal Rescue at donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/greek-wildfires-appeal
