CATS: HOW TO HELP WHEN NEEDED

Practical advice from the non-profit Association Eco Hvar for animal-lovers visiting Hvar. Large numbers of unwanted cats are a problem everywhere. There is no animal shelter on Hvar, but our organization and many individuals do as much as we can. There are two veterinary practices on the island, details below.

WHAT WE DO
The local authorities finance sterilizations of a certain number of street cats annually and of course we cooperate with the programme. We are engaged in establishing feeding stations in approved areas, although the project is progressing very slowly due to myriad difficulties. We support the efforts of individual volunteers who feed strays and provide them with medical care, providing finance when we can. When we are contacted about stray cats in trouble we post an appeal on our Facebook and related pages, asking volunteers in the locality to help out.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Make sure that the wandering adult cat who is looking for food or comes calling really is a stray: check with local people to find out if it has an owner.
2. Put down a bowl of water in a shady spot outside, fresh every day. (Milk – preferably organic – should always be diluted with water, and given sparingly, if at all)
3. If you choose to feed it, please give the best quality moist or dry cat food that you can afford.
4. If you find abandoned kittens and want to feed them, you need special cat food for juniors (this is usually available in the supermarkets).
5. If the kittens are tiny or newly born, they need bottle-feeding with special formula milk (this is not generally available on the island, the vet may have it or may be able to order it in for you).
6. Do not take stray animals into your rental apartment or hotel room, unless you are sure this is not against house rules. Find a place outside where you can feed the stray(s) without causing upset.
7. If possible, it is helpful for the kitten or cat to use a litter tray.
8. If the cat is a genuine stray, take it with you after your holiday only if you are sure you can offer it a good home.
9. If you want to help the island cats in general, you can arrange for ‘your’ stray cat to be sterilized, or give a donation to help fund local sterilization programmes.
10. If you find local people or other visitors who are willing to look after the stray(s), it is very helpful if you can give them a stock of cat food for after your departure.

TAKING CATS ABROAD FROM CROATIA
As Croatia is in the EU, it follows European law on the export of animals within the EU. Check with a vet for details about requirements for a particular animal going to a specific country, and make sure you allow enough time for the necessary inoculations and anti-parasitic treatment

CONTACT US -BY EMAIL ONLY, contact@eco-hvar.com – IF YOU NEED HELP OR ADVICE. If you contact us, please give us:

1. details of the exact location where the needy kittens or cats are; 2. pictures of the kittens or cats; 3. a description of their condition or special problems

VETERINARY SERVICES ON HVAR
HVAR TOWN: Dr. Mirej Butorović-Dujmović, 15a Šime Buzolić Tome, 21450 Hvar. Facebook page: Ormondo Specijalistička veterinarska praksa za male životinje
Telephone: 00 385 (0)21 880 022; Mobile 00 385 (0)91 533 0530
Working hours: 08:00 – 14:00 Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; 14:00 – 20:00 Tuesdays, Thursdays: 08:00 -12:00 Saturdays. Sundays & Public Holidays closed.
Besides diagnostics and treatments, the surgery offers expert grooming, including haircuts.
Directions: driving towards Hvar Town from Stari Grad, at the entrance to the town the main road comes to a small junction, where the main road curves right for the town itself, the left fork leads to Križna Luka, and the road straight head leads towards the graveyard. Take the road straight ahead until you see a sign for the surgery: turn left up this road, the surgery is on the left with parking in front of the building or in the designated area to the right of the building.

STARI GRAD: Dr Prosper Vlahović, Put Rudine 3, 21460 Stari Grad. Veterinarska ambulanta Lota website; Lota Facebook page.
Telephone: 00 385 (0)21 244 337
Opening hours: 08:00 – 14:00 weekdays, 08 – 12:00 Saturdays; Sundays & Public Holidays closed.
There is a pet shop on the premises.
Directions: at the entrance to Stari Grad itself from the Jelsa side, there is a park with a stream between the park and the road; go to the other side of the park, turn off on to the Rudine road, which is the only main turning on the far side of the park, situated about halfway along. The surgery is on the left up that road, with parking in front of the building.