Mesovounia Nature Reserve & Sanctuary

Mesovounia Nature Reserve & Sanctuary Regenerating 15.000 sqm of land and creating a sanctuary for farm animals in Paros, Greece

04/03/2026

Update 244€ donated from the 5000€ so far. Thank you 🙏

Today is my birthday 🤍

I’m not asking for gifts.
But I could use a little help.

Six years ago, at 27, I chose a very different path for my life. I left behind a world of travel and comfort (I’m talking luxury hotels, all the comforts in the world😅) and replaced that to build this sanctuary — a safe place for farm animals who needed one.

It’s the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done. And I don’t regret it for a second. (Well maybe sometimes 😜)

But building something like this mostly on your own can be heavy. There are NO days off. When fences break, I fix it. When water systems leak, I figure it out. When animals escape (like my donkeys did today), my heart doesn’t rest until they’re safe again.

Right now, the sanctuary needs some important upgrades:
• Proper installation of secure electric fencing
• Cameras and better lighting for safety at night
• An electric gate (it just needs electricity placed to the motor)
• Plumbing repairs and a new water boiler
• Replacing a broken door
• Some essential structural fixes

For my birthday, I’m setting a goal to raise €5,000 to cover these improvements and make this place safer and more sustainable.

If you’ve ever believed in what I’m building here, this would mean more to me than any gift. Truly, any amount helps.

And if you can’t contribute, sharing this or simply sending encouragement is deeply appreciated.

Thank you for being part of this journey 🤍

Fundraiser link🔗🫂 https://whydonate.com/fundraising/mesovounia-sanctuary-paros-greece

🎁 https://www.mesovounia.org/donate 🎁

01/03/2026

I felt really sick today, but the donkeys decided it wasn’t the right time for me to relax. Thankfully Noel Bradey was here to help 😆🤍 just another day with the kids!

26/02/2026

I’m so excited to finally share this! 🐴🤍

In January, we had the pleasure of hosting Ale, an amazing animal osteopath from Italy. She worked with Rusty, Frank, Gabriella, Bowie, and other residents, helping us understand their bodies, release tension, and support their recovery. Sometimes even remotely after she left.

Ale’s work goes hand-in-hand with veterinary care, adding a whole new perspective on posture, movement, and long-term effects of injuries. I’ve learned so much, and I’m completely convinced that osteopathy is such an important addition for all animals.

A huge thank you to Ale for her knowledge, generosity, and ongoing support. We can’t wait to welcome her back to Paros! 👏✨

Please check her website: alessandradalpan.com
Or social media account: https://www.instagram.com/osteopatiaequina_bodywork?igsh=Y3ZuczN4dzlwNzMz 🔗

11/02/2026

The sanctuary needs your help 🐴💛

The past months have been intense — vet emergencies, major fencing work, field clearing, deliveries, and construction — all to keep our animals safe and improve their space.

We’ve already paid for some materials, but there are still essential costs that need covering. Here’s the full breakdown:

💰 Cost Breakdown:
• JCB (2.5 days incl. VAT): €1,426
• Electric fencing + solar + delivery for the new stronger fence: €1,984
• Extra metal & wood - for horizontal, the poles are covered: €900
• Steel base for stable: €400
• Cement, stones & sand: €935
• Additional cement materials: €363
• Workers for 2 days (cement poles): €600
• Large trash container: €248
• Small trash container: €186
• Water bill: €350
• Medication (Bowie & Akim): €500
• New bigger straw delivery: €1,000 (paid already other food bills)

🟢 Total ≈ €8,893 → Fundraising goal: €9,000

This money will help us:
• Finish the fencing safely
• Secure the fields and future stable
• Cover vet bills and essential care
• Keep feeding our animals

I don’t love asking for help — but this is the reality. Everything here is built step by step, by hand, with help from amazing people who show up every day.

❤️ Every contribution helps — big or small.

👉 Donate here: https://www.mesovounia.org/donate

Thank you for helping me and the 60 beautiful souls at Mesovounia 🙌✨

02/02/2026

AKIM ❤️‍🩹

As mentioned yesterday, this video is about Akim, Bowie’s new roommate.

Akim’s leg problem started around the 20th of January, so almost two weeks ago. To help her rest and not overwork it, I separated her into a different pen. She was given a painkiller at the start, for a few days and both the vet and the osteopath suspected there might be an abscess.

After carefully cleaning everything and ordering the necessary materials, we started treatment using animalintex. Luckily, Jason was here at the time and helped a lot — he actually did most of the work, and I was genuinely impressed, especially since he had never done this before. Over the last week, we started seeing a little bit of yellow drainage, which is a good sign. Animalintex are medicated clay bandages that help draw infection out and support healing, and we’ll continue using them until everything is completely clear. I’ve just ordered more today, enough to continue for another two weeks if needed.

Since the beginning, I’ve also been soaking her hoof in warm betadine water for 5–10 minutes, followed by warm Epsom salt soaks for another 5–10 minutes. This helps soften the hoof, improve circulation, and encourage drainage. She had a painkiller for the first few days, and now she’s on a homeopathic anti-inflammatory instead.

Last night, she even started walking a little better, which is a really encouraging sign. Jason has since left, and I’ve been continuing the treatment on my own over the last few days. It’s definitely more challenging alone, but we’re managing.

For safety, her diet is very simple — just straw — as we’re still keeping in mind that this could also be related to lameness or another cause. Akim is currently resting with Bowie, who is calm, gentle, and incredibly supportive. I’m so happy these two are such a good match — they’re both so chill and relaxed together.

We’re taking this day by day, but things are slowly improving. I can’t wait to put them both back out in the field with the others when the time is right.

🙏🤍

01/02/2026

❤️‍🩹 UPDATE BOWIE ❤️‍🩹

It’s been a few weeks, and honestly… it’s been a bit crazy. A lot has been happening, and I wanted to finally sit down and give you a proper update on Bowie.

About five weeks ago, Bowie was castrated. What should have been a routine procedure turned into something none of us expected. He had serious complications, heavy bleeding and a bull sac that had to be stitched, and for a while, we were genuinely scared we might lose him. Just as that started healing, another problem appeared. His p***s stayed out and became extremely swollen, likely from trauma, a fall, or an impact. None of the vets or osteopath I spoke to had really seen a case like this before, which made the whole situation even more frightening.

At one point, we were discussing sending him to Thessaloniki. A long journey, a lot of money, and a big risk for his condition. I did everything I could to avoid putting Bowie through that unless it was absolutely necessary. So instead, we focused on careful daily management and tried to figure this out step by step, with vets, osteopaths, phone calls, experience, and a lot of patience.

That meant daily cleaning with diluted betadine, monitoring his temperature to make sure he didn’t develop a fever, supporting the weight by wrapping so blood flow could improve, and keeping everything as clean and calm as possible. We tried green clay with eggwhite, but it ended up drying the tissue too much and wasn’t the right match for him. What really started to make a difference was a combination of things: Oxyvet for the healing areas, zinco cream (which helped immensely with skin recovery), and a homeopathic anti-inflammatory given orally every day. Slowly, the swelling began to go down.

Day by day, things improved. There was movement. Healthy color. No tissue damage. And the bull sac healed beautifully. For the first time in weeks, I can finally say this with confidence: Bowie is going to be OKAY 🤍✨.

This journey would not have been possible without incredible support. Daniele and Ale for hands-on osteopathy and vet care, Elisa from Animal Action Greece for constant guidance over the phone, Alice from Holland for her experience and reassurance, Noel Bradey for cleaning the shed, and Jason, new to all of this, but a natural healer who has been an amazing help. It truly takes a village.

Of course, nothing is ever simple here… because Bowie also has a roommate, Akim, who’s dealing with her own challenges, but that’s a story for another post.

Thank you to everyone who checked in, sent advice, worried with me, and supported Bowie through this. It means more than you know. 🤍🐴

06/01/2026

PAWS – Adoptions & Volunteers Needed

PAWS is the only dog and cat shelter on the island.
Today I visited and saw that Tinker, Taylor, and Azor are still waiting for their forever home, even at an older age.

I used to work at PAWS for a year, and I know how much work it takes every single day.
Heike, Dimitri, and Michael are doing an incredible job caring for the animals and handling the daily challenges — but they can’t do it alone.

PAWS urgently needs more volunteers to walk the dogs, and of course adopters willing to open their hearts and homes.
There are so many amazing dogs and cats here, each with so much love to give.

I know from experience — I adopted Luna and her daughter Jasmine from PAWS, and it was one of the best decisions of my life.

Please consider visiting PAWS to volunteer, adopt, or share this post.
Sometimes, all it takes is one chance to change a life forever. 🐾❤️

03/01/2026

💛 A huge thank you 💛

With this video, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped me and supported the sanctuary over the last year and through the years. Without you, I truly could not have done this.

First of all, thank you to Noel, who shows up twice a week and often more. Always reliable, always there — in the rain, giving treats and cuddles, helping with castration and catching the donkeys. Your support means more than I can say.

I also want to thank someone who wishes to stay anonymous. One of the donkeys is even named after this person — Akim, my oldest resident at the sanctuary. Without you, I would not have survived. Beyond being a good friend, you keep me motivated, focused, and positive, and I am deeply grateful.

Thank you to Hadar and her family, who came every Sunday in the first months to help with feeding.
Thank you to Yannis, my neighbor, and his family, who helps whenever he can.
Thank you to Kostas and his son Manoli, who always bring straw, even at the last minute.
Thank you to Animal Action, who helped this year.
Thank you to Jaap, who helped several times with the donkeys and horses.
Thank you to friends who helped clean the fields.
Thank you to the garden center for helping.
Thank you to Stelios, who brings donkeys to me with his truck.
Thank you to the mini market in Kostos, who donates fruit for the animals.
Thank you to Sophie, who helps with food for the horses and donkeys.
Thank you to the couple who help me get the sanctuary started.
Thank you to my family who believes in me and my project.
Thank you to Erik and Gerard for helping with the cement.
Thank you to Lafarge for providing the cement, and Roula for helping.
Thank you to Mario, from Alkioni, who always helps when poultry are injured.
Thank you to Daniele and all the other vets for your care and dedication.
Thank you to Panagiotis, who lent me his cement mixer, always helps, comes with his daughter.
Thank you to the other Panagiotis, who helped catch the sheep, and lent me his field.

I also want to thank everyone who has donated — every single donation makes a difference. A special thank you to my childhood friends Nanet and Rob, who donate monthly, and to Pauline, who donate monthly and help me so much with Rusty.

And to everyone who has helped in any way, big or small — showing up, supporting, encouraging, or donating — thank you. I truly could not have done this without you.

You’re simply the best.
Wishing you all an amazing 2026 🤍

31/12/2025

Year-End Update: Bowie is Recovering & Our Sanctuary Needs Your Help

As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to share a short update and answer some of the questions you’ve asked me throughout the year.

Bowie is recovering from his recent castration and complications, and he’s doing much better — standing, eating, and showing strength again. His medical care alone cost around 400 euros.

The sanctuary still has urgent needs:
• Food deliveries for the animals — almost 3,000 euros
• A new stable for all the residents — close to 13,000 euros

This stable is essential not only for the winter, but also to protect the animals from summer heat and emergencies, and to allow me to help more animals safely.

Some questions I’m often asked:
• Was this place passed down from family or supported by the municipality? No — I bought it myself, and we receive no municipal support. Even medical care, like castrations, isn’t covered by other organizations or vets. Everything here is funded by private donations and myself.
• Do you get paid? No — the sanctuary doesn’t pay me or anyone else. My personal costs are low, and I have a few small jobs to cover my lifestyle. Day and night, weekends and holidays, all care is done purely out of love for the animals.
• How can people help physically? There’s always something to do — cleaning, organizing, feeding, brushing, watering, fencing, building new areas, or helping with food deliveries. Every bit of help matters.

I’ve built this sanctuary mostly on my own over the past years, with the help of someone incredible friends and supporters and I’m proud of what has been accomplished. But I can’t do it alone. One person can make a difference — but together, we can make so much more happen.

If you’re able to support, donate, or share this post, it truly matters. Thank you for standing with us, and for caring about the animals.

Please see below how to donate: ​
- By Bank:
IBAN: GR50 0172 7120 0057 1210 4419 702
Name: Mesovounia Nature Reserve & Sanctuary
SWIFT-BIC: PIRBGRAA
- Monthly:
We have a Patreon account, which you could help with any amount as small or big as you like (and cancel anytime). Please click this link for more information: https://www.patreon.com/mesovounia

Thank you and wishing you ALL a happy new year
🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍✨

29/12/2025

Update on Bowie 🤍🐴💉

We castrated Bowie on Friday, and the first night was harder than expected. Some bleeding after a castration is normal, but he had ongoing bleeding that worsened and left him weak, so we stayed with him continuously and monitored him closely.

On Saturday morning we stitched the site that was causing the bleeding, and since then the bleeding has stopped. We supported him with fluids, vitamin B, and constant care, and that made a real difference.

Bowie has been steadily regaining strength. He’s standing well, alert, eating with appetite (grass, alfalfa, herbs, fruit — anything he feels like), and he’s pooing normally. There are still a couple of things we’re watching closely, so we’re not completely in the clear yet, but compared to where he was, this is solid progress.

Deeply grateful to everyone who helped, checked in, and supported us through a very intense few days. We’ll keep monitoring him and taking things one step at a time.

🙏🙏🙏🙏

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