Takis Shelter Finds a New Technique to Assist Their Mission

The story of Takis Shelter is a narrative that begins as one man’s mission to supply love to each canine that has been deemed unlovable – irrespective of the fee – after which turns into a narrative of the way it takes a village, a worldwide village, to come back collectively and make the fee not matter.

Takis Shelter, situated on the island of Crete, Greece, is devoted to the rescue of canines and animals which have been deserted because of the present monetary disaster. The shelter was based 7 years in the past, by Theoklitos Proestakis (higher often called Takis), in response to the variety of canines he witnessed roaming the streets and landfills of his city. Determined to save lots of as many canines as doable, Takis dropped the whole lot and bought 5,200 sq. meters of land to start out his shelter – a no-kill, no cage shelter the place animals roam free, heal, and discover their true perpetually houses.

“The individuals, they assume I’m loopy. However for me, after I see these canines undergo from ache, they’ve a soul…so I need to assist them. It makes me really feel so good.”

– Takis Proestakis, Founding father of Takis Shelter

Since its humble beginnings, Takis Shelter has efficiently rescued, rehabilitated, cared for, and dealt with the adoption of tons of of canines.

The Problem

The associated fee to feed, vaccinate, spay/neuter, and safely home the animals at Takis Shelter is astronomical – and the variety of animals inside the shelter’s care is rising each day. The shelter doesn’t obtain any monetary help from the federal government and depends solely on donations to maintain operating.

They at present take care of over 450 canines, 50 cats, 7 goats, and a couple of sheep. Many of those animals want intense veterinary help, which significantly provides to total prices. Takis even thought-about promoting his shelter at one level as a result of he couldn’t afford all of it on his personal.

The Resolution

Raegan Thatcher, a Bonfire Gross sales Guide, noticed a video of Takis Shelter that was shared by The Dodo, and felt compelled to succeed in out.

“I initially reached out to Takis Shelter in late 2019 after seeing a snippet of their wonderful work featured in a video by the Dodo!

It was so superior to work with their crew which was mighty however small on the time. Eleni from Takis Shelter shared extra about their mission and why they do what they do. She had an unimaginable design highlighting one in every of their most beloved canines – Black!

They make a degree to rescue animals of all shapes, sizes, and skills. Many instances rescues will solely spotlight the proper pup however Takis is devoted to sharing all of their tales which I feel is unimaginable!

The marketing campaign launched and instantly discovered success.  Their unique marketing campaign launched in January of 2020 has raised over $100,000 and counting!

I really feel so fortunate to have performed a small half in serving to Takis Shelter serve much more animals and proceed the wonderful work they do with these funds raised.”

– Raegan Thatcher, Bonfire Gross sales Guide

Takis Shelter’s first t-shirt fundraiser featured a beloved rescue named, Black. The proceeds raised went in the direction of offering spay and neuter surgical procedures for low-income pet house owners within the close by group who might in any other case not afford it. The marketing campaign was so profitable and offered out so rapidly that Takis Shelter determined to proceed the marketing campaign indefinitely. This marketing campaign alone has paid for 411 canines and 260 cats to be spayed or neutered. Sadly, Black handed away from his most cancers in 2020, however his legacy and his love lives on within the fundraising marketing campaign that’s serving to to take action a lot good for the animals on the shelter.

As a result of the primary marketing campaign was so properly obtained, they determined to create a second t-shirt fundraiser, this time having the design characteristic, Grioula, a senior rescue canine that was adopted by Takis himself. This shirt raises consciousness for senior canines who nonetheless deserve an important life, and makes use of the slogan – outdated, however gold!

The End result

On the time of scripting this, Takis Shelter has launched two t-shirt fundraisers on Bonfire and raised over $124,000 for the care of the animals they absorb.

$124,337 funds raised

8,428 merchandise offered

411 canines spayed /neutered

260 cats spayed /neutered

For the reason that shelter was began, it has greater than tripled in dimension – from 5,200 sq. meters to 33,000 sq. meters. The crew, which began off as one man, now consists of a crew of 6 who do shelter upkeep, 1 adoption coordinator, and 6 social media volunteers. Collectively, this crew at Takis Shelter has facilitated the adoption of over 600 animals to houses all around the world.

Take a look at their Bonfire Retailer to seek out all of their wonderful shirts that assist their efforts, and you’ll observe together with Takis Shelter on Instagram, Fb, Twitter, YouTube, and their web site.