When we first visited Sifnos in March, we knew the needs were significant. Over the course of just a few days, we spayed and neutered 225 stray cats. But by the time we left, it was clear that our work was far from over. So we returned.

At the end of May, our team travelled back to the island with one goal: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Sifnos' cats. Through an intensive and demanding effort, we provided care and assistance to a total of 267 animals, carrying out 255 spay and neuter procedures, along with microchipping. Building on the work we had already started, we moved closer to achieving effective population control across the island's cat colonies.

Initiatives like this are never the work of a single person or organization. They become possible when people come together and decide to make a difference. Local volunteers, island residents, municipal authorities with a clear political commitment to finding solutions, experienced volunteers who travelled from Athens specifically for this mission, our team's veterinarians, and the wonderful veterinary team at @cycladesvets all joined forces and worked tirelessly to make this mission a reality.

Across our islands, thousands of cats are born every year with little or no prospect of receiving proper care. Spaying and neutering are much more than veterinary procedures. They are the most effective preventive measures available to us. They are the only way to break the cycle of uncontrolled breeding, abandonment, hunger, disease, and the suffering of animals born into conditions where their basic needs cannot be met. They allow us to prevent suffering before it begins.

Across our two missions to Sifnos, we have carried out a total of 480 spay and neuter procedures. Behind this number are thousands of potential births prevented and countless animals that will never have to struggle to survive in conditions of neglect and hardship.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who stood by us throughout this effort, especially @esasecuritysolutions for their invaluable support.

Because, as we have said before, if you love them, spay and neuter them.