04/10/2025
World Animal Day 🐾 A Celebration of Love, Compassion & Community
❗️Donate to Hearts4Cats - https://www.gofundme.com/f/heart-fur-cats?fbclid=IwY2xjawNOVHlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKcWxoNFhxVlVuQlJtaTVyAR5zcLR53ZQmh-33AmRV8jPJrFdm7GEXI8PHpK7ZdmP6D9KSOoph8cgavtpjeg_aem_YVy90dw6bdpwzIFjXPmtDg
❗️Donate to Tragaki Cat Rescue - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tragakicatrescue?fbclid=IwY2xjawNOVKRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKcWxoNFhxVlVuQlJtaTVyAR6TmnncmRuduHBKE-CvCV1LYvtU0H8aysqT0XAO8CcQXqKLHN1CQM96e6lomA_aem_UppEZXI-D1EdwzNvNeJbKQ
Today, we had the pleasure of slowing down for a moment, enjoying a well-deserved break, and visiting one of our favourite places in Kalamaki — the wonderful Cat Cafe Zepos Zakynthos, where everyone came together to celebrate World Animal Day.
In our daily rush, it’s easy to forget what truly matters — kindness, care, and connection. At Meandros Boutique & Spa Hotel, supporting animals isn’t just part of our mission… it’s part of our soul. 💚
We’re incredibly proud of our island’s real-life heroes:
🐾 Dr. Ifigenia – our island’s very own superhero in scrubs!
She’s the heart (and heartbeat) behind so many animal rescues on Zakynthos. With endless compassion, steady hands, and probably the patience of a saint, she’s dedicated her life to treating, healing, and protecting every animal that crosses her path — from the tiniest kitten to the sassiest street cat.
🐾 Vicky from Heart 4 Cats, she started a movement straight from the heart — literally! ❤️
Vicky has raised funds, spent countless hours travelling back and forth to Zakynthos, capturing cats and helping our amazing vet Ifi with the endless mission of caring for the island’s strays.
We’re beyond proud of her dedication — she’s turned her love for animals into action, and her “free time” into full-time rescue work. If passion had a face, it would be Vicky’s.
🐾 Lauren from Tragaki Cat Rescue – our amazing village neighbour and true inspiration!
On her own, she has helped so many kittens and cats in need, never giving up on any of them — not even on the most difficult cases. Recently, she fought for a handicapped cat who most people would have lost hope for, and now that brave little one is thriving thanks to her. Lauren is proof that one person can make a huge difference — and that love, patience, and a bit of stubbornness can save lives. ❤️🐈
🐾 Sakis & Dimitra from Cat Café Zepos Garden – the heart of Kalamaki’s cat community!
They opened this special place earlier this year, and it’s become so much more than a café — it’s a space filled with love, care, and purpose. They’ve created a true community hub where people and animals connect, they’ve run countless kitten adoptions, and they’ve shown that when business comes from the heart, everyone wins (especially the cats!) 🐾☕
🐾 And the inspiring ladies of the Peppermint Colony, tourists, not a locals, who took responsibility for their local strays — proof that compassion knows no borders.
To all the volunteers, rescuers, and everyday heroes who have given their time, energy, and love — you’ve done more in the past few years than most Greek government have managed in decades. You deserve a standing ovation (and probably a nap)! 👏🐱
A little reminder to our guests: Meandros is PET FRIENDLY and ADULTS ONLY.
That means if you’ve chosen to stay with us, you’ll be sharing your holiday with our resident cats and dogs — whether they’re supervising breakfast or joining sunbathing sessions. 🐶🐈
If that’s not your vibe, no worries — there are plenty of fur-free hotels around!
On this World Animal Day, we also want to honor our dear Naki, who was with us for 8 wonderful years, and her son Skinny B, who has now taken over hotel management (mostly from a sunny spot near the pool). ☀️
As we move into winter mode and the island gets quieter, we stay behind with our local strays — continuing to feed, medicate, and support them through our Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program. Every donation helps us keep Kalamaki’s cats healthy, happy, and a little less hungry through the cold months.
