The Street Cats of Lanzarote

by Patricia Hagenbuch (United Kingdom (Great Britain))

I didn't expect to find Canary Islands

Lanzarote seemed like the perfect choice for a relaxing holiday: good weather (but not too hot), nice beaches and a fine selection of hotels and eateries. What I didn’t expect to find, was a cat-lover’s paradise. Walk around Playa Blanca by day, and you'll likely spot one or two felines, snoozing under a palm in the sunshine, or clambering among the dusty hillocks along the waterfront. But night time is when our furry friends can be found out in force; given that cats are crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk), then this isn't surprising. Following the seafront path from the relative quiet seclusion of Marina Rubicon, to the livelier area of Yaiza, is where I met a small, very friendly black and white cat. Each night, I found him sitting atop a rocky outcrop, gazing out across the ocean. The first time I spotted him, I called out and he came running, I bent down to pet him and he jumped straight on my lap, purring like a small, furry machine. My heart melted. Nearby, I spotted a small blue structure, resembling a rabbit hutch. Curious, I scrambled over the low stone wall edging the path and went for a closer look. Inside, sat several bowls filled with water and dry cat food. Stapled to the roof, was a sun-faded printout, emblazoned with the heading 'Freddy's Cathouse'. Later that night, thanks to social media, I'd found a Facebook page for Freddy's Cathouse and lo and behold, their weekly supporters meeting was being held the next day, at a pub across the road from my hotel. It was clearly meant to be. The following day, I strolled into the pub and found my fellow cat-lovers, deep in discussion. I was welcomed into the group and introduced to Freddy, a lean figure in his 70s, with greying hair. I learned that the charity was established about 15 years ago, by Freddy and has grown steadily since then, gaining many cat-loving volunteers who either live on the island or frequent it for holidays, amassing over 6000 followers on Facebook. They work to provide food, water and vet care, to the local population of stray cats in Playa Blanca. They also run a trap, neuter, release programme, which helps to keep the population from expanding out of control. In 2019, they secured the lease on a plot of land in the hills a few miles away, to open 'Dreamland for Cats'; a safe haven for rescued strays from the local area. In addition to this, they run a successful rehoming programme for cats who are suitable for a domestic life. One of the volunteers, David, offered to take me on a 'feeding station run' the next day. He had everything he needed in the boot of the car; several 5 litre containers of water and the biggest bag of dried cat food I've ever seen. There were no cats to be seen at our first stop, but we refilled the food and water bowls in the feeding station. David said that the cats often tended to be hidden and sleeping during the hot hours of the afternoon. Our next stop, I was rewarded for my patience, as a friendly black and white cat approached us as soon as we arrived; he obviously knew why we were there! We refilled the station and stepped back, to allow the cats to feed. A couple more shy felines were watching us from a distance, eyes shifting and bodies tensed and alert. They eventually slunk closer and began to eat, but still kept a watchful eye. We continued around a few more stations, some with cats, others deserted. After we finished, I thanked David and headed back to my hotel. Each night thereafter, I could be found, box of cat biscuits in hand as we walked to dinner, a Pied Piper of Cats, with numerous felines in tow. I went to Lanzarote to relax in the sunshine. I never expected to make so many furry friends or to feel so inspired, by such a caring group of local and international people, who all had one goal in mind: a better life, for the street cats of Lanzarote.