Cats to the right of you, cats to the left ....

      If you stand quietly you will become aware of a subtle movement, of eyes watching out of sight, a slight rustle in the grasses. And then, at nine o’clock, they come streaming off the mountain. The cats.  Big ones and little ones, young ones and old ones. Black ones, white ones, grey ones and ginger ones. Tabby cats and torties. Silently they watch and wait until Elianne appears and starts to put out the dishes.

                                                                        Breakfast!

     Elianne runs a cattery on the hill above the Refugio.  Beautifully clean and comfortable, each cat has it’s own space, toys, blankets. These are the paying ones, the lucky ones with owners who love them.  But Elianne loves all the cats and looks after the homeless, the dumped and the feral as kindly as she does her paying guests.

                                           Woodpiles for those who like woodpiles

     Working together, Elian, Fabienne and the team at the Refugio keep these animals alive and healthy with fresh water and food.  Dotted around the place are kennels, small cat-sized houses and cages where they can shelter from the rain, the sun, the cold. There are woodpiles for those who like woodpiles. Rugs and toys, boxes to sit in or hide under. Everything a cat might need.

Shelter from the sun, from the cold, from the rain

     But there is massive dumping of animals in Spain these days. Most of these poor homeless ones are not feral. They are house cats, thrown out and left to fend for themselves. They are not used to being out in all weathers so inside a special room has been set aside for them, with cushions and beanbags and warm blankets and toys. A window is always left open so that they can come in and out at will.

Waiting ... and hoping!

     Nevertheless, safe as they are, fed and sheltered these cats would be so much happier living in a warm and loving home. To curl up on a lap.  To come in out of the cold - for always. There are now about 200 cats on the mountain. We have perhaps another 70 cats in Algeciras.  Food is always welcome. Even more welcome are loving homes.  Are you looking for a rescue cat?  Would you like to take one of these abandoned ones? They’re all vaccinated and sterilised … and just waiting … hoping.