Hi, our names are Nick and Rachel. Whilst holidaying in Rhodes a couple of weeks ago, we found a large group of young cats and kittens that had been abandoned in the mountains, far from any villages or hotels. The cats were in a terrible state of starvation and disease, particularly the tiny 8 week old kittens, their stomachs distended from worms and the skin hanging from their tiny bones.

We were lucky to have met a wonderful local lady, Mara, who had been trying to feed the cats but attempts were thwarted by the local goats that came and ate the food and trampled the young cats. We spent the last 2 days of the holiday trying to catch as many of the cats as possible to get them veterinary care. The only adult cat of the group was X-rayed and found to have been shot, pieces of shrapnel embedded in her flesh, causing lameness.

We have since returned to the UK and Mara has continued to collect the cats on a daily basis. She has now collected all but 2 of the cats and is taking care of them at her home, trying to treat their illnesses and feed them, all at her own time and expense. She is not a charity volunteer, she simply does everything she can out of dedication to the strays.

There is a cat crisis in Rhodes and those voluntary groups that do exist are overflowing with unwanted animals and unable to take on any more.

We would love to be able to support Mara looking after these cats with veterinary treatment, neutering and where possible find them new homes in the UK.

Please help donate whatever you can spare to support Mara, she cannot do it alone.

If you would like to give a Rhodian cat a home, please get in touch and we will be happy to work with you to find a way so that these beautiful cats and kittens can be safe.