World Rallies Around Three-Month Old Puppy Victim of Brutal Animal Abuse in Ioannina Greece

Online, March 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ZOE KATSULOS
303-517-3400
info@theinsideandout.com
www.theinsideandout.com

Ioannina, Greece - March 15, 2010 -- The world is rallying around a three-month old puppy that was brutally beaten allegedly by a night watchman at a hospital in Ioannina in northern Greece and left to die amid a pile of rubbish in the cold and snow.

Two puppies in were found beaten with pieces of wood on March 6 on the campus of the Hatzikosta Hospital in Ioannina. One puppy was killed. The other was left half dead with serious head injuries and was found curled up on top of her dead brother. The incident was witnessed by members of staff and hospital visitors hearing the screams of the puppies.

Police were called, however no action was taken and none of the witnesses will come forward to say who committed the crime. The surviving puppy's cries were reportedly heard all over the hospital grounds for several days. Despite this, no efforts had been made to help her apart from some milk and bread being left by a nurse. The puppy was semi-conscious, unable to eat or drink. She is about three months old and is now under the care of some local animal welfare advocates who rescued her from the scene after hearing reports of the incident.

Facebook members from all over the world have been very active in rallying around this helpless puppy whose future is still uncertain. Many groups on Facebook are dedicated to exposing the tragic conditions that exist for animals in Greece. This recent incident seems to have galvanized the Facebook community around animals even more.

Dogs and cats in Greece face a largely unknown crisis of overwhelming overpopulation, neglect, abuse, cruelty, abandonment, poisoning, starvation and apathy. Ioannina, located in the northern mountains of Greece, is home to one of the small movements of Greeks committed to improving the conditions and lives of Greek animals. Dedicated locals and student activists at the University of Ioannina have struggled to make a difference.

The community united last year with a group of volunteers traveling with philanthropic adventure travel innovator inside/out on a Humanitourism™ excursion to help address these problems. Travelers joined with locals to build feeding stations for strays, distribute educational information on sterilization and humane treatment and combined for the largest demonstration in the name of animal welfare in the history of the town.

"This is a horrible and tragic event," says inside/out founder and Greek-American Zoe Katsulos. "But sadly it is n0t an isolated incident. Dogs and cats are suffering every day all over Greece. We are determined to help the Greek people fighting for these animals who have asked for our assistance."

Inside/out will again bring travelers from all over the world to help Greek animal welfare advocates change the conditions and attitudes in Greece May 21-31, 2010. In addition to continuing the educational program in Ioannina begun in 2009 , the group will dedicate themselves to much-needed shelter improvements at KAZ, a shelter south of Athens. KAZ is one of the few fully functioning animal shelters in Greece.

Following their voluntourism work with animals, travelers will explore the culture by partaking in various eco-tourism adventure activities in the local region, including trekking, sea kayaking and river rafting.

inside/out's voluntourism animal welfare efforts have been endorsed by Best Friends Animal Society, World Society for the Protection of Animals, Greek Animal Welfare Fund and the Achaiac Animal Welfare Society of Greece. Those who may not be able to participate in these trips but still want to help can consider donating funds or supplies.

For more information, contact inside/out by phone or email: 303-517-3400 or info at theinsideandout.com or visit www.theinsideandout.com.

Other upcoming inside/out Humanitourism™ adventure travel includes a sea turtle conservation trip on the Greek island of Zakynthos in June, Africa/Mt. Kilimanjaro in August and Patagonia in October 2010 and Nepal in April of 2011. Projects vary by destination in conservation, education, building, animal welfare and the environment.

About inside/out:

Inside/out Humanitourism™ is a unique concept developed by inside/out combining humanitarian volunteer project work with adventure eco-tourism, allowing travelers to connect more authentically to the people, land and culture they visit with an emphasis on responsible travel.

Each inside/out travel experience features stays with local hosts or in small culturally significant accommodations, and exposes travelers to authentic local cuisine and customs. Small group sizes, from 6 to 12 people, allow each traveler to personally interact with the local population, hosts and each other.

For more information, contact Zoe Katsulos, 303-517-3400, or zoe@theinsideandout.com.