Meet Theoklitos ‘Takis’ Proestakis: a dentist who gave up his successful career to start a shelter that takes in abandoned dogs.
Takis lives in Lerapetra, a seaside town on the Greek island of Crete. In 2015, Takis went to a local junkyard to drop off some garbage. While there, he came across a shocking sight: he saw tons of skinny, starving dogs roaming the dump, looking for something to eat.
Takis asked around, and he learned that the majority of these dogs were abandoned by their former owners. The dogs were supposed to be hunting dogs, but if they couldn’t do this job well enough, their owners abandoned them in the mountains.
The majority of these dogs aren’t spayed or neutered, and the dogs’ owners will often also abandon the dogs’ puppies in the junkyards. Takis was shocked to hear about this, and he knew he wanted to do something to help these dogs.
Takis began bringing food and water to dogs in junkyards around Lerapetra.
Takis continued bringing the dogs food and water, but it didn’t feel like enough. It was clear these dogs needed a place to call home. And so, Takis decided to quit his job as a dentist and start his own shelter.
Takis bought a 33,000-meter plot of land filled with olive groves. Then, he began moving the abandoned dogs over to his shelter. The dogs were so happy to have a place to call home!
Unfortunately, many people weren’t happy with the shelter. His neighbors complained constantly about the noise, and Takis also had trouble paying for the dogs’ food, shelter, and medical treatments. He ended up selling his car and his house and moving into the shelter.
Takis started a Facebook page for the shelter, and it quickly began attracting attention. Soon, he had over 200,000 followers!
Many people started sending donations to the shelter, and the shelter began flourishing! With the help of these kind strangers, Takis was able to take in even more cats and dogs who desperately needed help.
Over the past four years, Takis has taken in over 300 abandoned dogs. He has also adopted out about 200 dogs.
Takis absolutely loves his job, and the dogs love him. He’s also surrounded by at least two or three faithful pups.
Takis now has a few volunteers to help him with the dogs. These volunteers and Takis all provide the dogs with tons of love and care. From the photos, it’s clear that these dogs are well taken care of!
Takis is a kindhearted man who has given hundreds of abandoned dogs better lives. If you want to learn more about Takis or donate to his shelter, check out his Facebook page.
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