It’s a sad reality that countless stray cats and dogs still roam our streets. Many of them, due to fear and mistrust, turn feral and become difficult to approach, let alone tame. Most people shy away from these animals, or at best, call animal control to handle the situation. But for one man, the potential scratches or bites from a wild cat didn’t matter—he was determined to help.
One day, this man came across a feral cat with its head stuck inside a can. The cat had likely been trying to lick out the last bits of food from the can and ended up in a dangerous situation. Without hesitation, the man brought the distressed cat into his car and carefully removed the can from its head, possibly saving its life.
However, instead of being grateful, the cat responded with aggression. It hissed and lashed out at its rescuer. Feeling threatened, the cat tried to escape but quickly realized it was trapped in the car, so it climbed onto one of the headrests, keeping a safe distance from the man. At this point, the rescuer was unsure of what to do next.
Faced with the cat’s hostility, the man started to question his options. Should he set the animal free or try to take it with him? He even filmed himself wondering aloud what the right choice would be. Eventually, he opened the car door, giving the cat a chance to return to the streets. But the cat stayed put, remaining on the warm headrest. That was the answer the man needed—he decided to take the cat to the vet for care.
Despite being scratched and bitten multiple times in the process, the man didn’t give up on the frightened cat. He made sure it was fed and gave it the space it needed to feel safe. In just five days, the feral cat that once hissed and scratched finally began to trust its rescuer. The transformation was remarkable—the cat allowed the man to pet it and even rubbed its head against his hand, showing affection. It was a heartwarming story of patience and kindness, proving that even the wildest animals can learn to trust when treated with care.
The man in this story is none other than Theoklitos Proestakis, better known as Takis, a well-known animal rescuer featured by The Dodo. Takis runs a non-profit animal shelter, Takis Shelter, on Crete Island in Greece. His shelter, located in the town of Ierapetra, is home to over 400 dogs and many other rescued animals.
Before dedicating his life to saving strays, Takis worked as a disc jockey. Now, he spends his days rescuing animals and giving them the care they need to survive. Takis’ selflessness and dedication to animals have earned him a great deal of respect, even though some people might think he’s a bit eccentric.
This act highlights critical gaps in our support systems for people in crisis and animal welfare. Urge authorities to provide those in crisis with the help they need to prevent animal abuse!
In another video by The Dodo titled “Guy Gives Up Everything to Save Stray Dogs,” Takis shared his thoughts on the sacrifices he’s made for his mission. He doesn’t care that people might think he’s crazy—helping animals brings him immense joy. “People think I’m crazy, but for me, when I see these dogs suffering, I know they have souls, and I want to help them. It makes me feel so good,” Takis wrote on his website.
If this story touched your heart, consider supporting Takis and his shelter. You can follow his work on his YouTube channel or visit his website to make a small donation, which will go a long way in helping him continue rescuing and caring for animals in need.