Julia Rzaev
co-Founder of Armonia CAC
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About Our organisation
The Armonia Community Animal Centre is a non-profit organisation in the Argos-Mykines municipality, in the Peloponnese region of Greece. Our organisation is new, but our founding members have spent years working for the benefit of local cats and dogs. In 2024, we started working on communications and taking small actions in the community – listening, learning about the issues and finding positive solutions.
Our philosophy
Our philosophy is that every single animal is an individual, with needs and preferences. They are not helpless, but they do need our care. We want to move away from the idea that the cats and dogs who live free are a shame or a problem that needs to be removed - or that they are constantly sad and suffering. We don’t call these animals ‘strays’ because they are not lost - they simply have a different lifestyle.
We base our activities on ethics and science, we work carefully and strategically, we monitor outcomes and we continually ask questions to ensure we find real, lasting solutions for the welfare of animals and the people around them. We are here to work with the community for the entire welfare journey – from preventing abandonment and cruelty, to providing care to community animals throughout their lives.
Our Missions
We want to create a productive and sustainable ecosystem of services to address local animal welfare issues.
A welcoming environment where volunteers can get resources, upskill and find support and encouragement to care for community animals. This facility and support will encourage longevity of existing volunteers and recruitment of new volunteers.
Care for All Community Animals
Every cat and dog in the community deserves a safe, healthy environment and basic care - nutritious food, clean water, adequate shelter and health care. To ensure the well-being of these animals, we need dedicated oversight for every individual animal and clear responsibilities for their welfare. By assigning nominated carers to each dog and cat, we create a structured support system that prevents neglect and suffering. This personalised approach fosters learning, compassion and a high standard of care - guaranteeing that no animal is left behind. Providing baseline care and assigning reliable caregivers to community dogs and cats also lays the groundwork for a healthier, more empathetic community where every animal – whether a pet or free living - receives the security and attention necessary to thrive.
Improving Human & Animal Relationships
Fostering harmony between people and local animals is vital to building a safer, more compassionate community. Behind almost every conflict between animals and humans is misunderstanding. To eliminate violent incidents, dog attacks, and animal abandonment, we need proactive education and demonstration of responsible ownership practices. When community members understand animal behavior and basic welfare needs, conflicts decrease significantly, creating safer public spaces for all. Ending abandonment is equally critical, as it addresses the root causes of animal distress overpopulation of free-living dogs and cats. Empathy, respectful interaction, and ongoing support can transform public attitudes and the success of society as a whole.
A strong workforce
A sustainable animal welfare system relies on a skilled, resilient, and well-structured workforce. At the core should be paid professionals and skilled staff members who manage key programs and tasks and bear primary responsibilities. The heart of the system is its dedicated volunteers, who bring diverse skills and enthusiasm to daily operations. To ensure long-term efficiency and well-being, volunteers need training, meaningful support, and fair task distribution to prevent overwork. Balancing professional expertise with a valued, well-supported volunteer base, creates a strong community who can deliver high-quality care.
Controlling Animal Diseases
Protecting the health of local dogs and cats requires a strategy and knowledge. Baseline data on common dog and cat diseases allows us to track health trends and risks and formulate targeted interventions. With data and organisation, we can implement comprehensive management strategies to control and ultimately eliminate infectious diseases, prioritizing those conditions that inflict the greatest suffering on animals. Through routine health screenings, preventative care, and timely treatment protocols, we mitigate public health risks and drastically reduce preventable illness and the economic costs associated with them.
Stabilising the Population of Dogs and Cats
Maintaining a stable, manageable population of dogs and cats is essential to ensuring that every animal receives high-quality care and resources. Overpopulation stretches community capacity, often leading to neglect and shelter overcrowding. By promoting responsible pet ownership, accessible neutering services, and community-wide awareness, we ensure that local breeding does not drive population growth beyond sustainable levels. Keeping the dog and cat populations at a consistent level directly allows us to provide consistent care, and spend more time identifying and addressing the causes of pet surrender and abandonment. A stabilized population ultimately guarantees a higher standard of living, better health outcomes, and lasting security for all animals in the community.
Meet Our Members
