Vet Surgery Opens in Symi 28 April 2008

Tassoula and Christos, the first voluntary FAROS vets arrived on Symi this afternoon and the surgery will formally open at 10:00am on Tuesday morning in Kyriaki Studio in Horio (by Syllogos Square, second house to the left on the road that starts from Rainbow Cafe, about 50 metres away).

Please bring the animals you care for (pets as well as strays) to the surgery for a check-up, vaccination, neutering, general advice or a minor operation.

There are a few more things that need to go in the surgery in the morning, but we at FAROS are very pleased that we have managed to equip the surgery with everything it needs to operate properly in such a short period of time.


As you already know FAROS aims to bring Greek voluntary vets to Symi to set up a free surgery at regular intervals (hopefully as often as once a month) to provide care for the animals of Symi (pets, strays and also work and farm animals) and we are already working towards the next vet visit at the end of June. Announcements will be made shortly.

Even though the vets offer their services free of charge and the accommodation and boat tickets are donated to FAROS by Symi businesses (Kalodoukas Holidays and Symi Tours), the cost of each visit is funded solely by voluntary donations.

For this first visit we have equipped the surgery at a cost of over 2,000 euros. Much of what we have bought can be used again at subsequent vet visits, and we estimate that each of these visits will cost FAROS about 1,000-1,200 Euros.

Please help us maintain the free vet service to Symi by donating whatever you can. Any amount, no matter how small, will go towards helping the animals and guaranteeing regular and free vet visits throughout the year.

Here are some examples of the cost involved:

Initial set-up cost
- Autoclave (dry-heat steriliser) : 240 Euros
- Oxygen cylinder: 210 Euros
- Oxygen supply mechanism: 99 Euros
- Electric shaver: 140 Euros
- Cat trap: 90 Euros
- Cat baskets: 18 Euros each
- Heating Pad: 30 Euros
- Resuscitator: 45 Euros

Costs at each visit
- Return flight to mainland: 120-150 Euros
- Anesthetics: 50 Euros per bottle
- Sterile surgical drapes: 1.30 Euros each
- Antibiotics: 4 Euros each
- Stitches: 4.50 Euros each
- Non-woven swabs: 4.50 Euros per box
- Vaccinations for cats or dogs: 5 Euros each
- Tracheal Tubes: 8 Euros each
- Catheters: 60 Euros per box
- Disposable syringes: 20 Euros per box
- Refill of Oxygen Cylinder: 40 Euros

As you can see even 5 Euros is enough to vaccinate a cat or a dog for a year!

If you are on Symi, you can leave your donation at the surgery during this week. You can also contact us directly or make a donation online by clicking the DONATE button below.


Thank you very much and hope to see you at the surgery this week!