Present: Vivian Grisogono - Eco Hvar President, Mladenka Babić, Olivera Beyer, Debora Bunčuga - steering committee member, Marija Bunčuga- steering committee member, Peter Elborn, Nada Kozulić, Ivana Kuhar, Nicholas Seed, Julie Tomlin
Apologies for absence: Sara Radonić, Dinka Barbić, Frank John Dubokovich, Jasenka Splivalo, Wendy Zečić
The meeting was opened by Association President Vivian Grisogono at 17:30.
AGENDA
1. Welcome. Number of attendees noted, selection of the Meeting Secretary.
2. Adoption of the Minutes from the 11th AGM.
3. Review of Eco Hvar's activities during 2024.
4. Adoption of the Charity's financial report for 2024.
5. Outline of the Charity's programme for 2025.
6. Any other business.
1. WELCOME. Vivian Grisogono welcomed the attendees and confirmed that there was a quorum.
Debora Bunčuga was elected Meeting Secretary.
2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE 11TH AGM.
The Minutes, which were published previously on the Eco Hvar website in English and Croatian, were circulated to the attendees in English and Croatian.
The Meeting adopted the Minutes from the 11th AGM, nem con, 2 abstentions.
3. REVIEW OF ECO HVAR'S ACTIVITIES IN 2024
For animals: Requests for help or advice, complaints
As always, throughout 2024 people contacted us with various questions, mostly via email or Facebook, occasionally by telephone. We respond as quickly as possible, usually within a day or two.
We received nearly 90 inquiries about animals and birds in need on Hvar and elsewhere in Croatia, including Dubrovnik, Medulin, Brač Island and Samobor. There were about 52 inquiries or reports concerning stray, hungry or injured cats and abandoned kittens; c. 27 inquiries about abandoned, lost, mistreated or neglected dogs, 7 about injured birds, and 1 about a neglected donkey. We are sad to report that some people still carry out killings of animals, especially by poison.
As always, we helped as much as we could, directly or indirectly. There is no cat rescue facility on Hvar, so we rely on volunteers to take care of needy cats in their vicinity. This is often achieved through appeals for help via social media. Stray dogs are sometimes reunited with their owners through social media. For abandoned or mistreated dogs we report the case to the local town wardens (komunalni redari), without naming the source of the information. In the case of mistreated or neglected animals, they call in the regional veterinary inspector: for Hvar the inspector has to come from Split. Where appropriate, dogs are transferred to the Beštie Animal Shelter in Kaštela. The costs may be covered by the local authorities, or in some cases by Eco Hvar. We often contribute by delivering the dogs to the shelter personally.
Regarding poisonings, we advise people on the procedures for dealing with them and reporting them to the police.
We do not publicize all our activities, as some animal rescues have to be carried out with discretion (to protect the animals and especially the people involved in saving them).
Cat sterilizations. The sterilization programme funded by the local authorities has continued, although it is impossible to cover the needs of the whole island. Sućuraj in particular poses difficulties because of its isolation.
Cat feeding stations. As reported last year, problems arose regarding the cat feeding stations. New hutches were made by Iva Mihanović, to whom we owe grateful thanks. These prevent passing dogs from eating all the food and have been relocated in relatively safe places, two in Jelsa and one each in Pitve and Zavala. As the special 'cat houses' in Jelsa car park were destroyed by hooligans, a solution has been found by creating 'safe zones' for the cats using old materials, which so far have survived.
We thank the many people who quietly and consistently feed street cats in their locality. When we can, we donate good quality dry food to help them when necessary.
Happy outcomes. We deal with many tragic situations regarding animals Every small success is welcome. Occasionally there are truly heartwarming results. In 2024 the story of Lassie - Lele was one such. This young bitch was abandoned in Jelsa with stunted back legs, barely able to walk. After we transferred her to the Beštie Shelter, she very quickly found a new home in Zagreb, where she has flourished ever since, despite being on long-term treatment for leishmaniasis. We are extremely grateful to Zlatka for rescuing her from the streets and giving Lele her new lease of life. Floof the Scops owl is another happy story: orphaned as a baby, (s)he was taken in, fed and nurtured by Jana in Dol, with support from Norman, until the day when (s)he was able to fly away and live normally. A lovely example of the triumph of unconditional love!
For the environment: Pesticides. We have continued unceasingly to promote initiatives for environmental and health protection at international, national and local levels.
There is little cause for optimism. As reported last year, a full dossier of the shortcomings of the EU and national systems of pesticide approvals, marketing and usage control has been prepared and presented to the EU Environment Committee members and responsible authorities in Croatia; it was presented to Health Minister Vili Beroš personally in October 2023. Shockingly, only one EU parliamentarian had the manners to give a polite acknowledgement of receiving the material.
Eco Hvar in the media. As in previous years, in 2024 Eco Hvar's work was highlighted in print, especially in the widely read regional newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija, thanks to the continuing much appreciated support of journalist Mirko Crnčević. His understanding of our aims and our work have greatly enhanced Eco Hvar's visibility, status and credibility. In Slobodna Dalmacija: 'Napustila je Englesku zbog Hvara, a onda počela spašavati magarce' (12.05.2024.); 'Dalmatinac pronašao sto vrsta prekrasnih orhideja!' (14.04.2024.); 'Globalno zagrijavanje pridonosi širenju lišmanioze' (13.04.2024.)
Facebook. We are grateful to Dinka Barbić and Sara Radonić for managing our Facebook page, which is invaluable for spreading word about animals in need, besides highlighting articles and events of interest in keeping with Eco Hvar's aims.
Website www.eco-hvar.com. We continued to update the information about the adverse effects of pesticides and their approval status, alongside articles about the beauty of our island.
The Meeting accepted the Activities Review for 2024 nem con.
4. FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2024.
The Association's income during 2024 amounted to 1,900.53 €,, and the outgoings totalled 2.638,76 €. On 01.01.2024 the account stood at 2116,56 €. carried over from the previous year, while on 31.12.2024 it was 1382,14 €. The Association's main expenditure is on animal care, accountant's fees and bank expenses. Donations are the Association's sole source of income. None of the Association's committee or volunteers receive payments of any kind from the Association's resources.
The Meeting accepted the Financial Report for 2024 nem con.
5. PROPOSED PROGRAMME FOR 2025.
Our aims remain the same and we plan our programme accordingly.
i. We will continue to campaign for environmental protection and reduction of pesticide use.
ii. We will continue educational activities aiming to warn people of the disadvantages and dangers of poisons and pesticides.
iii. We will try to organize activities to involve the young in caring for Hvar's environment and animals.
iv. We will continue all our efforts to help animals in need on Hvar and elsewhere.
v. We will continue to support initiatives for eco-tourism on the island.
vi. We will continue to lobby for adequate conditions for wheelchair users in Jelsa and elsewhere.
vii. We will continue to cooperate with like-minded international organizations and national organizations which are working on local and countrywide levels.
The Meeting accepted the Proposed Programme for 2025 nem con.
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was a general discussion on topics of mutual interest, including the importance of involving young people in activities for the animals and the environment, the problems of pesticide use and the costs of sterilizing cats.
The meeting officially closed at 18:45.
Debora Bunčuga, Meeting Secretary. Vivian Grisogono, Association President.
