Margo Animal Care Initiative

One woman. Up to 300 cats. A system being built.

In Artemida near Athens, Greece, Margo has been caring for street animals for many years. What began with a handful of cats has grown to approximately 250–300 animals, spread across several private care locations, a farm and multiple feeding colonies. She feeds them daily, arranges veterinary treatment and pays for much of it herself.

The Margo Animal Care Initiative turns this one-person effort into a structure that can be sustained: documented medical care, transparent finances, and responsible rehoming through an established German partner organisation.

250–300

animals in daily care

13+

documented care locations

€3,954.70

vet costs documented
(23 Mar – 20 Jul 2026)

150–180

cats in Margo's direct care
– all neutered (estimate)

Where funding goes

What support is needed for

Four cost areas carry the ongoing work. For veterinary care, a fully audited statement is now available.

Neutering — the sustainable lever

Feeding keeps animals alive. Neutering prevents new ones from arriving. Every neutering reduces future feeding and veterinary costs permanently.

Every cat living permanently with Margo is neutered. Free-living colony cats are neutered only when treated for a medical issue. By Margo's own estimate, around 150 colony cats still need neutering — the reason is funding, not willingness.

At the standard rate of €50 per procedure, that represents a rough funding gap of about €7,500 — an order of magnitude, not a fixed budget, since no timeframe or campaign has been set yet.

Veterinary treatment

Examinations, medication, surgery and emergencies. Two partner practices treat at reduced rates.

Documented: 32 invoices totalling €3,954.70 over four months — approximately €1,000 per month.

Food

The largest ongoing expense: dry and wet food for all care locations and colonies, every day. Four pet shops already grant discounts.

Transport & materials

Daily feeding routes, veterinary transport, water containers, bowls, carriers and winter shelters for the colonies.

Governance

Legal structure and accountability

Important for foundations and institutional funders:

Registered partner organisation

The Margo Animal Care Initiative is not itself a registered association. All donations are processed through our German partner:

Murka-Katzenhilfe e. V.
Karl-Friedrich-Straße 35, 44795 Bochum, Germany
Registry court: Amtsgericht Bochum · Registration no.: VR 4939
Charitable status: recognised non-profit association (gemeinnütziger Verein)

Donations via this account are tax-deductible in Germany. Earmarking works via the payment reference: “Griechenland”, “Athen” or a specific cat's name.

Rehoming standards

Full health check, vaccinations, deworming, FIV/FeLV testing before departure
EU pet passport, microchip, valid rabies vaccination, TRACES registration
Honest character description including difficulties and open questions
Home check and application review by the partner association
No spontaneous or holiday rehoming
Post-adoption support

Focus remains on care and neutering in Greece — not on moving large numbers of animals abroad.

Existing support

Who already carries this work

Murka-Katzenhilfe e. V. (Germany)

Funds food and veterinary costs; handles responsible rehoming to Germany. Registered charitable association.

Two veterinary practices

Vets4life and OmniVET treat the animals at reduced rates — long-standing direct cooperation.

Four pet supply stores

Pet City, Pet Shop Manos, Pet Point and Dogit provide discounted food.

The windsurfing school

Contributes financially and houses around 25 cats. Margo works there as an instructor.

Get in touch

We are looking for partners, not just donors.

Whether funding, veterinary support, neutering programmes or expertise — tell us briefly who you are and what you could contribute. We reply personally and disclose figures openly.

hello@margoanimalcare.org

Full German site: margoanimalcare.org