Question: "I have recently moved to Split. I am a cat lover and have discovered a few cat colonies in the area where I am living. I was wondering where you purchased the cat feeding stations that are featured in one of your articles online? http://www.eco-hvar.com/en/about-animals/378-cat-feeding-stations I was thinking that they could be a great and vital addition to some areas in Split, especially over wintertime."
Eco Hvar response: "Many thanks for your kind email.
The elegant 'cat-houses' were bought via internet, but they do not seem to feature this type any more. The simpler version is made by one of our members, a keen handyman, and we are working on a slightly different design in the light of experience. You can find sources of 'cat-houses' on the internet by searching for 'kućice za mačke'. We feel they tend to be fairly expensive and not necessarily ideal for street cats in public places. (They have proved very popular in places with just a few cats, where one or two can settle in and make themselves at home!)
Anyway, before thinking of providing better facilities, you need to know exactly what the situation is! Try to get to know the people who are already feeding the cats and learn just how safe they are wherever they are congregating. The best is to provide some food at intervals for them, as presumably some locals are already doing. That way you can become familiar with the scenario. Bear in mind, you need to get permission from the Council or landowners before putting any kind of structure in the environment. So it is not something that can be done without careful planning. Remember, not everyone loves cats!
An important part of the cat care programme is sterilization. Each local authority has a budget for financing sterilizations of street cats and organizations take care of as many as they can. You would do well to get in touch with the Bestie Animal Shelter in Kaštel Sućurac and visit them to see how things can be done, and what you can realistically do to help.
Many thanks for caring!"