The Story Of The Shelter
ABOUT US
Our story
The shelter in Souda, Chania was opened in 2011.
Then, it was not yet The Souda Shelter Project.
Elizabeth, the present founder of The Project, was a volunteer at that time.
Then, the population of dogs reached dangerous levels.
Then, the spaces were not built, but a plethora of chains surrounded the perimeter of the shelter.
Hundreds of chains hung from the fences and poles.
A change was necessary for the safety of the dogs.
In June 2016 an organisation by the name of KYNonia was created with the head project being the shelter.
This Souda Shelter Project was born.
The Souda Shelter Project is a non-profit project run with dedication,
experience and a great deal of love.
Our team
works every day to make sure the dogs are safe, healthy and ready for a new beginning. From
rescue and daily care to veterinary support and adoption,
everything we do is focused on giving each animal the best possible future.
The Souda Shelter Project is more than a place of refuge. It is a place of hope – for dogs waiting to be seen, for
adopters looking for a loyal friend, and for supporters who want to make a real difference.
Having seen the hideous conditions of shelter life from earlier, the Souda Shelter Project’s main goal was to prioritize the animals’ mental and physical well being allowing us to have top rated animals for adoption.
- Our animals are seen by licensed veterinarians a number of times before coming to you.
- Our animals are closely surveyed daily by an experienced staff of highly sensitive animal loving individuals.
- Our story is an open book and anyone and everyone is welcome to come, visit and be a part.
KYN-wnia’s ultimate goal for the Souda Shelter Project is to shut down the present operations and build a new, legal, state of the art shelter in Chania.
The Souda Shelter Project/KYN-wnia is a non profit organization which receives ZERO funding from the government. It runs with the help from good people like you.
Giving Back Together
Our story
Filanthropic, Animal Welfare and Cultural Association – KYN-wnia
The Souda Shelter Project is run by the Filanthropic, Animal Welfare and Cultural Association, KYN-wnia, founded in 2016.
KYN-wnia is pronounced “KEE NO NEEA (German: Ki-NO-NIA)” which means “community, society” in Greek (κοινωνία ). KEE, changed to KYN, stands for Canine.
When Elizabeth Iliakis created this association, she did not want it only to include animals, but animals AND the community as a whole.
KYN-wnia works not only on the Souda Shelter Project but it also works on various other community projects.
KYN-wnia has supplemented local soup kitchens with dry goods.
KYN-wnia has brought gifts to the orphanage during the holidays.
KYN-wnia with Tierfreunde Kreta, eV has donated medical supplies and dental equipment along with a dentist chair to the community dental center.
A Special Project
Miki, the Therapy Dog
Our most favourite project though is that with K.H.F.A.AMEA.
K.H.F.A.AMEA is a day care centre for children with disabilities. It was one of the first of such centres in Greece, run by parents, offering the children everything from music therapy to arts and crafts and loads of other activities.
The place is warm and the children are happy and the minds are progressive. Together with the president of the centre we decided that a therapy dog would be a plus in the children’s routine and so we chose Miki as the first dog. Through the guidance of Dog trainer Chaniacrete, we trained him to be a therapy dog.
He visited the children once a week and the children recognized him and were happy to see him.