Elpida Shelter of Hope

25/08/2024

As we approach the end of the month once again it’s time to ask if anyone can help with our food vet bill. We are starting a little earlier this month as we have a bit of a mountain to climb this time.
We have had several dogs needing vet visits, extra blood tests and meds which pushes our monthly bill up.
It’s so amazing to see three of our dogs leave but we can’t forget the ones left behind. So we are asking if anyone can spare a pound or two towards this invoice and ensuring they are fed this month and have access to any vet treatment they may need.
Each month our regular supporters step up to help and we can’t thank you enough.
Maybe you are new to our page or you have been around a while just watching could this be the month you make the move to send a small amount to help? All the money raised goes to our dogs, all admins are volunteers and do it for the love of the dogs as does Stavroula who works 365 days a year and has never taken a penny for herself.
No amount of is too small. Even one pound will feed a dog for a day and a half. £25 will feed one of our dogs on ordinary food for a month. £45 for a dog on special food.
Thank you ❤️🐾❤️

Elpida Shelter of Hope
20 45 45
00311456

PayPal
[email protected]

24/08/2024

More happy news coming your way 😊😍❤️

Of course if you remember we raised the funds for not two but three dogs to leave the shelter.

Three dogs did leave and soon we will be posting photos of dog number three in her new home.

Thank you to all our supporters 🐾❤️🐾

23/08/2024

Aggie and Belle ❤️🐾❤️

So here they are the photos you have been waiting for.
The girls have arrived.
No more boiling summers and freezing winters at the shelter for you girls.
We have to say a great big thank you to Nicola for welcoming the girls into her home.
A great big thank you to our supporters because this would not have happened without your generous donations.
Aggie and Belle send you all a great big sloppy kiss. ❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️

23/08/2024

Aggie and Belle continued

These stunning girls spent eight years in the shelter.
On the early summer we got a message from one of our wonderful supporters and previous adopters to say that she would love to help by offering to long term foster a couple of our older long term dogs. They needed to be female to fit in with her present dogs.
We racked our brains to find a couple of girls to fit the bill. Stavroula then suddenly said what about Aggie and Belle. How perfect. It was not that straight forward as before the decision could be made we needed to given them a full health check. Could these girls who had been in the shelter so long still be free of all disease, with all the flying nasties? Could this really be possible? With fingers crossed we had their bloods sent to Athens. Imagine our delight and surprise when the results came back negative for all disease.
We are a tiny rescue with wonderful supporters but could we make this happen?
Our super hero foster mum Nicola lived in the North East so transport costs are super expensive. Why did we ever have any doubts, of course our supporters would rally around and raise the funds.
Something very special happened last week, I wonder what it could be 🤔🤔.
Watch this afternoon for the photos I’m sure you will want to see. ❤️🐾❤️

22/08/2024

Aggie and Belle’s Story ❤️🐾 🐾❤️

In March of 2016 these two gorgeous siblings were taken into the shelter. They were only babies. Aggie had been hit by an elderly person in his car, fortunately she was not badly hurt. Stavroula was told by a lady that she had seen two pups so she searched till by a miracle she managed to find Belle.
These sisters have spent eight plus years in the shelter. They grew into leggy, beautiful girls, and although they were super friendly, loved visitors and greeted everyone with enthusiasm, their size and the fact they were so closely bonded meaning we did not want to part them meant the chance of them leaving the shelter was pretty slim.
They were lucky girls as they did have a nice area at the back of the shelter with a larger run than most of the dogs and they lived in that area with Basil. On one of the volunteer visits five years ago Basil found his forever family when one of the volunteers fell in love with him. Still the girls waited, they found a new boyfriend to join them and they did enjoy their lives but they did miss the volunteer visits as they loved the company of people and loved being fussed. That’s not always the case with pups taken into the shelter that stay so long They can become fearful of new people and changes but the girls always greeted visitors often nearly bowling them over with their enthusiasm to say hello.
Eight years in the shelter is a long time in a dogs life

…….. TO BE CONTINUED

22/08/2024

Meet Timmy another of our dogs who most likely will never leave the shelter. Timmy is one of our most phobic dogs. He loves and mixes well with his shelter buddies but is so afraid of people.
We realise that dogs like Timmy are happy with shelter life and it’s their home and safe space. The dogs who make us sad are the ones who have so much love to give, the ones that run with excitement to meet Stavroula or visitors when they arrive, craving human attention. The dogs who would blossom with a kind and caring family.
Sponsorship for dogs like Timmy is so valuable to us. Having a regular amount coming in each month means we have less to raise for bills at the end of the month.
Thank you to everyone of our supporters. Who help to keep Elpida going in these difficult times ❤️

21/08/2024

My name is Meg and I have lived in the shelter for many years. I don’t think I will ever leave but that’s ok because I’m scared of the outside world and worried about people. I get fed every day and I feel safe. This is my home.
There are a few of us who will most likely never leave the shelter because we are either phobic or because we have diseases that mean people can’t get or afford the vet treatment in the U.K.
We are all so grateful to the people who donate every month so we are able to keep our tummy’s full and we can get vet treatment when we need it. Regular monthly donations mean that we know what funds are coming in and Stavroula knows she can keep our vet happy.
Thank you for keeping me safe and fed
Love Meg

21/08/2024

Has anyone seen my friend?
She went away the other day and she hasn’t come back.
I miss playing with her.
Stavroula told me she had gone to find a family and that’s a really good thing. I don’t know what a family is but it sure sounds fun.
Stavroula says I’m just a big goof ball. I’m big and clumsy and just want to play and have fun.
I’m only young and have so much love to give if I could only find the right family.
When you are big like me it’s harder to find that home. But I just think surely the bigger I am the more there is to love.
I have lived the majority of my short life in the shelter so it does take a very special family to take me. I would need lots of patience whilst I learn about life outside.
Do you know any families who would love to have a friend like me?
If you would like to find out more about Stavro why not send a pm.
Please share your help find my family
Thank you 🙏 ❤️🐾

20/08/2024

Who would like some really good news?
Who would like to see some very special photos?
Get your hankies ready
Coming in the next few days the photos you have all been waiting to see.
Who or what could it be?
Only a few days to wait.

20/08/2024

Our new dog Athos is much improved and has now moved from Stavroula’s flat to the shelter. Whilst he was with her he was the perfect house guest. Thank you to everyone who donated to helping this lovely boy he really has such a wonderful nature. The capacity of these dogs to still show so much love despite the way they are treated never ceases to amaze me. Also on the video some of our other dogs. How much they love to see Stavroula when she arrives. They will all get a nice run and play out of their kennels when the cleaning starts lots of love and attention. Thank you everyone for supporting our dogs

16/08/2024

Some very sad news for two of our Elpida dogs lost in the last month.
Kira and Murray were amongst the first dogs to leave the shelter and had many wonderful years in such loving family homes and we want to thank their families for giving them this very special gift of a family and so much love.
We want to send them so much love and our sincere condolences.
RIP Kira and Murray

12/08/2024

05/08/2024

It is with sadness we hear of the passing of two Elpida dogs in the last month.
They both had such amazing lives in their adoptive homes. They both had eleven years in warm homes with abundant food and love.
Thank you so much to their adoptive families for giving them such a wonderful gift and we send you so much love as we know how devestated the loss has left you.
RIP Aristo and Nellie

02/08/2024

Athos chilling. Keeping cool on the floor at Stavroula’s flat. She says he is an adorable boy, good with her young daughter, calm in the house apart from in the kitchen where he constantly looks for food. Who can blame him he has probably spent most of his life hungry. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

01/08/2024

Bonnie and Socks want to say a huge thank you to all our supporters and let you know that they are living their best life....

Just to think that without all your help and support, they would still be in the Shelter with no hope of a better future.
When I look at them, I am reminded of all the dogs at the Shelter, and what a difference a chance of happiness can make.

Every month we ask you all to help us to ensure that the dogs are fed, treated and cared for.
We never know if we will raise enough money each month to cover the bills, and rely purely on your kind hearts whilst holding our breath.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could guarantee the Shelter dogs got these basic things every month...?

You can help with this....

Regular monthly donations could make a huge difference to Elpida....

If you could spare even the smallest amount and you set up a regular payment to Elpida, this would enable us to provide that basic care for our dogs.

A little goes a long way for Elpida dogs, so if you would like to set up a regular donation payment, please use our bank details below.

Bonnie and Socks will be forever grateful to all of you.###x

Elpida Bank Account details...
Bank: Barclays
Account name: Elpida Shelter of Hope
Sort code: 20-45-45
Account Number: 0031 1456

31/07/2024

What can we say.
This morning as i went out shopping my heart was sinking. We have three dogs leaving in a matter of weeks. We had their costs put to one side but we still needed to feed the shelter dogs.
But then this morning some wonderful donations came in and our food/vet pledge is now full.
Thank you so much to every single person who helped us reach our total
We can’t wait for you to see the photos of Aggie, Belle and Ruby arriving with their families
❤️🐾❤️

31/07/2024

PLEDGE FILLED THANK YOU 🙏

Our FOOD/VET bill will be arriving in just two days. Our supporters have made such a wonderful effort to get us to this point and we would like you to thank every one of you whether one of our long term supporters or someone making a donation for the first time.

If you follow us and have never donated before please consider sending a small amount. Just the price of that coffee you usually have whilst shopping, the bar of chocolate as a treat. The price of these donated to Elpida means a dog gets a meal for a few days or pills for a week to keep them healthy. A dog’s life is saved.

If you donate to one of the bigger well known dog charities only a proportion of your donation ends up actually on the dog. They have to pay teams to keep them going. They are big organisations
With Elpida the only person who receives any payment is Stavroula’s help.
Stavroula has never taken one penny for all the work she does. 365 days a year come rain shine or public holiday she is there. Her only payment is her love for every one of her doggy charges.
The admins do not take one penny in payment. Actually the reverse, they often buy and donate items to raise money. They have made trips to Greece to volunteer fully self funded. Our amazing super admin Jan spends hours and hours of her days baking doggy biscuits to raise funds. Jane, Sophie and the fundraiser team spend hours setting up fundraising events and running them. They spend nights worrying about raising the funds to keep Elpida running.
If you have any doubts of the love and devotion our dogs get pop over to our Elpida dogs in forever homes page and see photos and read about their stories.
Not all our dogs will leave the shelter. There are many reasons. They are too old, they have behavioural issues that mean they can’t live in a family home, they are sick and need regular meds. They are phobic and shy. Everyone of them will get the love and care they need. Stavroula loves them all the same.

By donating you are helping these dogs.
Please if you can spare even just a pound or two it really does add up. Please never feel embarrassed or apologise for the size of your donation. Every single penny is gratefully received.
Thank you 🙏

Elpida Shelter of Hope
20 45 45
00311456

PayPal
[email protected]

30/07/2024

£655.00 NOW NEEDED TO COVER OUR FEED BILL

On August the 1st our food bill will arrive.
We are still short by £1195
Aggie, Belle and Ruby will be leaving the shelter in August. Whilst they start a wonderful new lives their friends remain at the shelter.
Even a small amount makes so much difference. 83p will feed one dog on ordinary food for one day. £1.50 will feed a dog on special food for a day.
A donation of £5.81 feeds one of our dogs on ordinary food for a week.
Can anyone share a small amount to help us reach our target. 🙏
Thank you

Elpida Shelter of Hope
20 45 45
00311456

PayPal
[email protected]

29/07/2024

£1307 TO FILL OUR FOOD APPEAL

£1195 Now Needed to fill our appeal
Can anyone help 🙏🐾

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far to help feed our dogs.
Sadly we are still well short of the amount needed 😢
We will be receiving the invoice in 3 days and we are expected to pay this as soon as possible after that date.
It’s always such a joy when dogs leave the shelter and even more special when it’s long termers. As Aggie, Belle and Ruby leave this month to wonderful new lives it’s such a happy time for Stavroula although she will miss them so much. But her worry for the dogs left does not leave her. She is so worried about the heat we really don’t want to add the worry of having to explain we can’t pay the food invoice.
Please if you have never donated before or if anyone can donated even just a pound towards this total it really would help.
Thank you ❤️🐾🙏

Elpida shelter of Hope
20 45 45
00311456

PayPal
[email protected]

29/07/2024

Greece is once again in the grip of a heat wave. The dogs are struggling. The older ones even more so and fears they will struggle to make it. There is no play time for the dogs they just want to find shade wherever possible whilst out of their kennels.

28/07/2024

Urgent food appeal....

With the good news that Athos is free from disease and safe for now with Stavroula, we still need to make sure he can be fed this month.

With no more space at the shelter, it is even more important that we make sure all the dogs can get a bowl of food.

We cant thank you enough for everything you already do, but even if you can spare just a few pounds, it really does help Stavroula to keep those food bowls full.

Love from Athos and all the Elpida dogs.x

27/07/2024

For the lovely people who donated towards the costs for Athos an update

By some miracle his blood tests came back as free from disease. We can only assume that at some stage in his life when he was useful he was given some protection from the sandflies and flying nasties or he has been the luckiest boy ever.
However, he was absolutely covered in ticks and fleas and in a great deal of distress and suffering so badly with the heat. He was given meds to get rid of the ticks and fleas and has been put on a course of antibiotics.
Stavroula took him home to her flat as she did not have a pen at the shelter free.
Stavroula wants to thank all the lovely people who donated to help this boy.
❤️🐾❤️

26/07/2024

FOOD APPEAL

The time is nearly here for Aggie, Belle and Ruby to make their trip on the bus to new homes....

But.....they have whispered to Stavroula that they are worried about leaving all their friends back at the Shelter.

The sun beats down relentlessly and the insects are rife at this time of year.

Aggie, Belle and Ruby can't help with the conditions, but they would like to ask all our wonderful supporters if they can spare some pennies to make sure they all get fed so they have full tummies.

With newcomer Athos, we need to make sure all the dogs are fed and receive the essential treatment they need, as vets fees are coming in as they always do at this time of the month.

If you would like to help the dogs, please see the below details.

£25 will buy a bag of normal dog food
£45 will feed a dog on special food for those who need it.
Please consider a small donation.
No amount really is too small.

Many thanks for your continued support.
The dogs wouldn't be here without you.x

Elpida Shelter of Hope
20 45 45
00311456

PayPal
[email protected]

19/07/2024

My name is now Athos

I served you all my life, I gave you my best
I slept on hard floors my limbs have the scars to show it. I just wanted to please you. Even though you showed me no love I gave you my loyalty. I would never have left you or let you down. I don’t understand what I did wrong. I know I got slow but I tried my very best. I don’t feel well now the ticks suck my blood and I feel weak. Then one day you took me to the city and just left me. I was afraid, I was so hungry. You never gave me much food but at least I got some. The heat burnt it was so very hot, it sagged the little stength I had. I so wanted water but didn’t know where to go to find it. I thought I would die on the streets and no one would know my name or care.
But today an angel found me, she softly called me over and looked at my body. She gave me food and water. She took me to the vets they tested my blood, treated the ticks and gave me antibiotics. She told me she would care for me. She said she has friends that would help. She said I would have a name and it would be used with love and not in anger
She said I would never be abandoned again. I would know love at last.
Tonight I will sleep, I will feel safe. A sleep I have never known before
Thank you
Love Athos.

To donate towards the care of Athos

Elpida Shelter of Hope
20 45 45
00113456

Paypal
[email protected]

19/07/2024

It is a very difficult time for Elpida.
Stavroula has tried so hard to not take in any more dogs. It breaks her heart every day. But this poor old boy pulled at her heart strings. He has served his time for a hunter and now he is sick and old he is just abandoned to die.
His life would have been hell kept mainly on a chain when he was not out hunting yet he loyally serves until he has no more use. He would willingly go back to his owner and serve till his dying breath but he’s not strong enough he has outlived his usefulness so like rubbish he is thrown out to die.
We would like to help this boy and show him some love and comfort for his last years, but without your help we can’t help.
If anyone would like to donate a small amount to help this boy find some comfort and show people do care Stavroula would be so grateful
Thank you

Elpida Shelter of Hope
204545
00311456

PayPal [email protected]

Please put reference vetdonation

04/07/2024

We want to thank all our lovely supporters who have again made sure our dogs have food for the month. We are so incredibly grateful
We consider ourselves very lucky to have you all 🙏🐾❤️

30/06/2024

URGENT FOOD APPEAL

Hello from Ruby. Exciting times I have been learning how to walk on a lead. Stavroula says it’s very important because something very special is going to happen soon.
She’s very worried though because we have a long way to go before we can cover our bill and it will be arriving tomorrow 🥲
Our vet likes his bill to be paid on time. He is the one who supplies our food as well as our treatment so it’s very important we are able to pay him to get the food
We have a little pot of money so Aggie, Belle and me can get our special surprise but it makes me sad that we can afford our treat whilst our friends don’t even get enough for their food.
Stavroula wants to thank everyone who has donated so far for your generosity and wonders if you haven’t managed to donate yet if you could spare just a few pounds to help. Every single pound means so much to us.
Thank you 🙏

Elpida Shelter of Hope
20 45 45
00311456

PayPal
[email protected]

30/06/2024

Food appeal from Earnest

Thank you to everyone who has so generously donated to our food appeal so far. We are so very grateful.
On our page we have over 9000 followers if each one of the people who watch our page donated just 75p per month we would have more than enough to feed and treat our dogs each and every month. Stavroula wouldn’t have to message us to tell us a dog needs a vet visit apologising for adding to our costs and our stress.
How amazing would that be. Yet sadly each month instead we struggle. The same wonderful friends appear and generously donate to help us. Each month our hearts sink as we know we have to once again ask those wonderful people if they can help again.
So please if you are reading this and have never donated before please consider a small donation. Every single pound really does make a difference.
We are still a long way from filling our pledge. That bill will be dropping on Stavroula tomorrow and we need to pay it to get our dogs food for the month
Thank you ❤️🙏🐾

Elpida Shelter of Hope
20 45 45
00311456

PayPal
[email protected]

🙏🙏🙏🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️❤️❤️