July 28, 2022 - It's impossible to miss street cats when you're traveling around Croatia, but what should you do if you find one in need? A look at how to help street cats in Split.

Street cats have become a symbol of Croatian coastal cities. Often photographed in a 'fjaka' state of mind, cats rule many Split neighborhoods - but that's not necessarily a good thing. 

Multiplied in the summer months after kitten season in the spring, it's become increasingly difficult to care for the street cats in Split. And without an animal shelter in the city, much of the work is left to volunteer associations that labor day and night establishing trap-neuter-release programs while their homes act as shelters for cats needing medical attention. Not to mention the thousands waiting to be adopted or fostered. 

So, what can you do if you're in Split and notice a cat (or several) in need? Some tips from Split animal associations: 

- Perhaps the easiest task as a tourist looking to help street cats in Split is to feed them and leave them water. Unfortunately, summer in Croatia is no walk in the park for humans, let alone street cats with no cool place to call home. However, it's simple enough to find a container for water and purchase wet or dry food at the local supermarket to leave in the cat-populated areas. 

- If you find a cat or kitten that's obviously a stray but does not look sick, lost, or confused, it is best to leave it on the street rather than take it to your accommodation if you have no intent on giving it a permanent home. It is not easy to find fosters in Croatia, and while you might think you're doing the right thing by giving it a safe place for a few days or a week, it will likely end up on the street again after being pampered and acclimated to regular meals. This means it can become disoriented with less chance of survival when back on the street.

- If you find a sick and injured cat or kitten, it's best to take it to the nearest vet and see if they have the option of keeping it in a cage until it gets better. Most vets have this option for a fee. You can find the phone numbers for vets in Split below. 

And perhaps the best thing you can do? If you're financially able to donate, support a local animal association. They rely on the donations of others to survive, with little to no help from the city, meaning trap-neuter-release programs, medications, fosters, food, and transport are taken care of thanks to your donations. They also have many cats and kittens available that desperately need a foster family if you someone you know is a candidate. Animal associations may also be able to help you catch a sick or injured street cat that needs to be taken to the vet, though the summer months are hectic with multiple calls a day, so keep this in mind if you don't hear back right away. Remember, they are volunteers, after all. 

You can find a list of animal associations in the Dalmatia area in our Animal Associations and Shelters in Croatia series HERE. 

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

June 20, 2021 - What better way to help the street cats of Split and Hvar than by indulging your sweet tooth?

Kitten season is well and truly here and is known as the busiest and hardest time of year for cat rescuers. Expenses soar through the roof, and the number of kittens discarded is often too difficult to handle. So why not lend a helping hand (and some much-needed cash) to two volunteer groups working hard to save, nurse to health, spay and neuter street cats, and then find them homes? And better yet, indulge your sweet tooth while doing so? 

On Tuesday, June 22, from 10:30 am to 14:30, make your way to Trogirska 8 in Split to participate in a bake sale for the street cats of Split and Hvar! 

Funds raised will be split equally between Donation Group - Mačke & Co run by Olivera, Silvija, and Natalija in Split and the Stari Grad Cat and Kitten Fund run by Amanda and Chris Hvar Island.

"Everyone who has ever walked through Split has surely noticed the large cat population. The warm climate suits them, and instead of once a year, cats have more litters throughout the year. So many cats, of course, cannot survive without the help of humans. And the best way to help them is castration. In this way, their uncontrolled reproduction is prevented, and the number of sick and killed street cats is reduced. The goal of this group is to help them in just that way. Castrated cats have their ear marked, either by a V-shaped mark, or the very tip of the ear is removed. The V mark is common in Split. We invite you to join us by participating in auctions, sharing albums, and adding new members," begins the Facebook group description of Macke & Co, which is led by Olivera Bibic Biocic Silvija Kelam, Natalija Randelovic, among others. 

The Stari Grad Kitten Fund raises money to alleviate the suffering of the many stray cats and kittens in Stari Grad. 350 kuna covers neutering, and any extra is for food, medicine & rehoming. Founders Amanda Blanch and Chris Edwardes currently care for 19 rescues! 

For those looking forward to purchasing baked goods, all you have to do is bring your wallets, and your appetite (and your friends), anytime between 10:30 and 14:30 on Tuesday, June 22 (ideally as early as possible to make sure you'll get the best baked goods!)

"Let's bake and eat and help as many of the kitties from Split and Hvar!" reads the event page. 

If you cannot make it to the bake sale but would still like to help, you can donate via Paypal. 

Split group: https://www.paypal.me/mackeST

Stari Grad/Hvar group: http://paypal.me/StariGradCatFund

The event will be held at Trogirska 8 in the Old Town of Split! 

Do you have an animal shelter or association in Croatia and want to share your story? Get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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