My name is Verónica. I am from Seoane, a small village in Galicia (Spain). Perhaps you know me because of the previous campaigns which I made on Indiegogo in the years 2013 - 2015 in order to help the abandoned cats that lived in the streets of my village. Currently, and thanks to that female abandoned cats have been sterilized, there are no problem with abandoned cats in Seoane. Now, the objective is to help the abandoned cats of a nearby village called Meiraos.
My mother (María Carmen Parada Jato) and I have been helping the cats since many years ago. Our story with the cats began at the New Year's Eve in 2007 when we saw 3 street cats near of our house and we gave them the leftovers of the dinner. Helping street cats means so much for us because we love animals and it is too much hard see them suffering day after day. They are only defenceless creatures and they need our help.
The major problem of the cats of Meiraos is that the cat population is increasing. In Meiraos, most of the people don't like cats. They think that a few cats in order to catch mice is OK, but if the cats are many, they consider them as a plague (the same as happened in Seoane). The result of this is that the small kittens are killed many times. Lots of innocents are killed, and they are killed in a very cruel way. They are knocked or drown or thrown alive to a container like they were rubbish. In the Christmas of 2019 many adult cats were poisoned by the neighbours in order to reduce the number of cats. It is urgent to stop this. The solution is to sterilize the female cats.
Small kittens. They are in danger.
We tried to raise awareness about how important is sterilize the female cats, but it was impossible. The people of Meiraos don't want to make trips and don't want to spend money in the cats. They think that the best solution is not feeding the cats (so they will die of hunger) and to kill the poor kittens. This is barbaric, but it is a reality.
In addition, there is not an animal refuge in the council. According to the law, all the councils must have a refuge, but here the law is reneged on. We and some other people asked for a refuge, but it made no difference: the local government didn't pay attention. Nobody wants to do anything to help cats. Cats are not important here.
The only help that we have received was from a NGO called Mascoteros Solidarios, but now they said that they almost have money. The last time that they cooperated with our cause was years ago. So, doing campaigns like this is my last resource in order to get money to help us with the cat expenses. The Indiegogo campaigns for the cats of Seoane helped a lot. We found many generous people around the world that made donations. Currently, all the money obtained in that campaigns was spent and we are using our own money. But we are only two people and, at the moment, there are 22 street cats in Meiraos that need help.
What are we doing for these cats?:
- Feeding them daily.
- Removing internal parasites (with tablets).
- Making refuges (cat houses).
- Taking to the vet some cats who are ill/hurt.
- Sterilizing female cats.
- Buying medicines, for example, Konakion (vitamin k), the antidote for the rat poison, or Vibracina (antibiotic).
- Looking for a home for the kittens.
Feeding cats
Making cat refuges is so important because winter is very cold here.
Taking cats to the vet
Bank transfer slip (veterinary assistance)
Two female cats catched in order to be sterilized
One of the last bills (sterilization)
Giving medicines
Some observations:
- We live in a very rural zone and the nearest veterinary clinics are about 1 hour by car (Sarria and Quiroga). That means that apart from the vet bills, we have to pay the costs of the trips.
- When we find a home for a kitten, we make the trip with the kitten, and it is usually a long trip because most of the people who want a cat live in the city.
- Currently, there are 6 female cats sterilized, but there are 4 non-sterilized yet. And it is probable that some of the kittens are females and that if they survive, they have more kittens.
- The cats which live in the street are not safe. They can be knocked down by cars or they can eat rat poison, and they also have a high risk of suffering feline leukaemia and feline AIDS. Besides, sometimes people hurt the cats intentionally. So they often need veterinary assistance (if they are still alive).
You can make the difference. Your donation can save lives!
An adopted kitten at his/her new home
If you have read the text and you have seen the images, you will realize how important is your help. If you can contribute with 1 €, please do it. Every little help is important and appreciated, and you will receive the satisfaction of helping a vulnerable cat. If 2.000 people donated 1 €, we would reach the goal.
Perhaps you can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t help. Why don't make some noise about this campaign? Spread the word! For example, you can share it in social networks. You can also follow me on Twitter (@HelpForCats).
If you prefer giving useful things for the cats, like food of flea drops, instead of money, you can send it by post. Contact me (for example, Twitter DM) and I'll give you the postal address.
Help get the ball rolling and make this campaign a success!
YOU CAN HELP THE CATS! WE CAN STOP CRUELTY! Every single person is a droplet of water, but together we are a river!
Please, help us to reach the goal! Thank you in advance.
Verónica