The project for cat feeding stations on Hvar Island has taken a big step forward, thanks to the kind cooperation of Mayor Nikša Peronja. The project, which around Jelsa is being conducted in collaboration with the Jelsa Municipal Tourist Board, started two and a half years ago with a public petition which garnered very widespread support. We have progressed slowly but surely.The process is not simple, many factors have to be taken into account. It's not enough just to create the facility without careful planning and subsequent upkeep.
What's involved
Suitable locations. Where are the best places for the cat-stations.? The owner of the land has to agree to the placement; we might need permission from a private individual, a company, the local Council or some other institution. Each feeder has to be somewhere where cats can gather safely, without causing disturbance to people in the vicinity.
Regular maintenance has to be organized: the food and water must be replenished, the feeder and cat-house have to be kept clean. It is also necessary to keep the immediate environment clear of dangerous litter, especially broken glass. The feeding station can only function properly when people nearby are willing and able to take on the necessary responsibility.
Some problems we have encountered
Management difficulties. Despite so many people expressing enthusiasm for the cat-feeding scheme, it has proved extremely difficult to guarantee practical help for maintaining the feeding stations. Sometimes half-used packets of dry food have been left unused, to fill up with rainwater, then becoming infested with grubs; the food and drink bowls have often been left dirty; with the best of intentions, people have left 'bedding' for the cats, but failed to keep them clean; the dry food and drinking water which are the whole point of the feeder have been allowed to run out.
Local rejections. In one case a feeder was placed where local dog owners allow their dogs to run loose, despite the law to the contrary, so the dogs scoffed all the cat food in passing. The feeder was then moved into the nearby hotel grounds, with the blessing of the animal-loving Director. Some months later the Director was replaced by one who banned cats from anywhere around the premises. So of course we removed the feeder to a more appropriate place.
At one location on public land near Jelsa's local shops, we had a complaint from a neighbour in the vicinity that she did not want ANY cats nearby. When people express themselves so forcefully it does not bode well for the cats and their safety. Not long afterwards we found our plastic cat feeder smashed to bits.
Finding solutions
Obviously we had to move the hutch to a more secure location.
With permission from the local authorities we moved it away from the cat-haters into a relatively safe place It is now in a corner of the car park where cats tend to gather, where there are no neighbours and where the local cat-lovers can look after it.
We have been able to solve some of the problems relating to the few feeding stations in and near Jelsa. However, our core group consists of just five people, four of them working mothers, so clearly we needed to find a way to create a more manageable system to cater for stray cats.
An ideal spot?
Jelsa's recycling centre in the middle of woodlands off the road between Jelsa and Svirče could be the ideal spot for a cat sanctuary. The depot is surrounded by woodland and there are no houses nearby, so there are no neighbours who might take offence.. The depot is not functioning fully as yet, but at least the principle has been established. Local people and property-owning foreigners alike have been quick to respond by bringing their recyclable waste to the depot.
On one of my visits, I saw that a beautiful, healthy-looking little cat had appeared on the premises, who was being fed by the depot manager Nikša during his working week
She (or he) was wisely cautious in approaching a stranger, but not too scared to give it a go. She (he) has been made welcome, as her / his presence is definitely helping to keep rats and mice under some control.
At a meeting on December 16th 2023, Jelsa's Mayor Nikša Peronja gave us permission to place cat feeders at the Recycling Depot. We placed the first feeder shortly afterwards. It was an instant success. A fine ginger cat appeared to check on what we were doing. Was it the same little mite I saw back in September? From the markings, it seemed very possible. Having investigated the feeder carefully, he (or she) settled in for a good feast.
So we are very hopeful that the depot's cat sanctuary will provide a safe haven for stray cats. It will serve as a centre from which it will be possible to continue the neutering operations more efficiently. The cats will keep vermin and snakes at bay. A spin-off will be that we will keep the environment around the cat feeders clean and tidy!
© Vivian Grisogono MA(Oxon) December 2023, updated February 2024.
