When my family and I moved to an off-grid property in Portugal in January 2022, we never imagined how much our lives would change. Soon after settling in, we noticed a timid tortoiseshell cat roaming the land. She was skittish and ran away whenever we got too close. We named her Nina and began leaving food out, hoping to earn her trust.

I spent weeks trying to befriend Nina, sitting by her food, speaking softly, and even offering food from my hand. But she was cautious and kept her distance. Then, in August 2022, Nina surprised us by bringing her kittens out of hiding. They played in the distance at first, but slowly she began bringing them closer to eat the food we provided.

With patience and persistence, I managed to get her kittens—Sky, Meerkat, Lyka, and Shadow—used to my presence. Over time, they became my companions, eating with us, exploring the land, and even sleeping on my bed. But as our off-grid lifestyle demanded every bit of our resources to build basic necessities, we couldn’t afford to spay them.

Soon, the kittens grew up and had litters of their own. The situation quickly spiraled out of control. Today, we are caring for more than 30 cats, and it’s impossible to keep up without help. Local animal control services refused to assist, considering the cats ours because they live on our land. While we’ve managed to sterilize three cats and rehome some kittens, there are still too many.

We’re reaching out to ask for your support. Donations will go directly toward sterilizing the cats, ensuring their health, and creating a sustainable future for them. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a big difference in their lives—and ours.

Thank you for helping us care for these incredible animals and giving them the chance they deserve.