Welcome to our first blog
Hi everyone, it’s Devon here, Co-Founder and Trustee of Paphos Purrs. Thanks so much for checking out our website. I was keen to write a quick introductory blog sharing the background on our charity, our initial focus areas and how you can help us in our mission.
The cats sealed the deal for Devon & Rob to relocate to Paphos
After COVID struck the UK, Rob and I reached a point where we’d done enough daydreaming about a warmer climate and decided we needed to make it become our new reality. Cyprus quickly captivated us, feeling like an instant home. However, what sealed the deal were the cats.
For those who know us personally, it’s no secret that we are obsessed with cats. In our own home, we have Bella, a 10-year-old rescue cat who requires extra care due to her skin allergies. Despite the challenges, we wouldn’t change a thing. Bella has taught us the true meaning of unconditional love for an animal.
Cats tend to elicit strong opinions from people – you either love them or hate them. However, I firmly believe that they are often misunderstood. Many fail to read their body language, missing cues when they need space or are being friendly. Consequently, people often approach them with the wrong behaviour, resulting in a nasty scratch. Unfortunately, such negative experiences lead many to overlook cats altogether. In Cyprus, however, breaking down that barrier is almost unavoidable, as there are numerous cats living on the streets.
During our stay in Universal in 2022, we stayed in a lovely apartment. Outside, within the grounds, around 80 stray cats roamed. Every day, we spent hours with them, giving them the unconditional love they deserved. Feeding strays, however, has its bittersweet moments. One may notice that they are incredibly grateful for the food, often forgetting that they’ve already been fed. It’s the love and attention they crave more than a meal. Being shown affection, receiving head rubs or gentle pats on the back, being told how pretty they are and how much they’re loved—it’s a sad reality but many have just never experienced true kindness before. In just one week, we formed so many close bonds that as I sat on the flight back home, I sat and genuinely cried because I knew I could do more.
Sadly some of the cats didn't make it through the winter
When Rob returned in January to view properties ahead of our move, some of our favourite feline friends were no longer around. They had become so emaciated that they couldn’t survive once the holidaymakers left. During the summer months, families come and go, sharing scraps of food and water to help sustain these cats. But what happens when everyone goes home? Who looks after them then? In Cyprus, there are many kind-hearted people who dedicate their time to feeding strays, but unfortunately, the number of cats far exceeds their efforts. A cat with an unclipped ear becomes a problem because before you know it, there’s a fresh litter of seven kittens relying on their mother to produce enough milk to nourish them. As the kittens grow older, they need to fend for themselves, searching for food.
Establishing Paphos Purrs SCIO
So, what can we do? Do we turn a blind eye, believing it’s not our problem?
As soon as we decided to relocate to Cyprus we knew we’d spend a lot of our time helping strays across the island. Initially we planned to just do this as a personal mission, but along the way so many of our friends, family members and colleagues expressed an interest in helping we knew starting a charity would allow us to operate on a larger scale and make more of a lasting difference.
Becoming a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) provides legal recognition as a charitable entity, and perpetual existence for the organisation. Being an SCIO also enhances our credibility, facilitates access to funding opportunities, and ensures transparency and good governance practices, ultimately enabling Paphos Purrs to effectively carry out its mission of helping cats in need.
Becoming an SCIO means there’s a requirement for three Trustees, so Rob and I were excited when Steph MacDermid, one of Rob’s former colleagues from his time in Financial Services, agreed to join our Board as our third executive member. We’ll hold monthly board meetings to review progress against our charitable objects and ensure the charity is well governed.
Our initial priorities
We’ve already began purchasing food and recyclable trays, initially using them until we can establish a safe and permanent feeding location for the cats. We also provide bowls of fresh water, heavy enough not to be blown away by the wind. We tour Paphos, actively searching for hungry cats. Not all of them are friendly; most are terrified, and sadly, those are the ones who need our help the most. The hotels and restaurants here are supportive, providing scraps from their kitchens to feed the cats, and guests shower them with attention during their holidays. But when the visitors leave, the cats still need sustenance. However, food isn’t free; it’s quite expensive. We spent approximately £1,000 on feeding our little gang of cats during our stay at the Airbnb. In the UK, you have the convenience of Amazon, where you can buy large bags of inexpensive cat food in bulk. Unfortunately, we don‘t have that luxury here. Shipping costs significantly inflate an already tight budget, and pet shops face the same challenges. Not all cats live in hotel hot zones where food isn’t a pressing issue. Many are born in regular residential areas where some people dislike cats or simply can’t afford to feed them. The average salary in Paphos is only €21,000, approximately 42% lower than the UK’s average. Housing costs are exorbitant, and the overall cost of living is far from cheap.
We’ll continue to prioritise feeding but as we increase our funding through donations we’d love to support spaying & neutering, routine medical care and help erect permanent shelter for the cats.
Help us make a difference
So, how can you help? Even the smallest contribution would mean the world to us. If you can spare anything, we would be immensely grateful. It could be enough to feed a cat that hasn’t had a meal in days.
You can donate here where you have the option to make a one-time donation or set up a regular monthly subscription. Please also follow us on Instagram @paphospurrs and spread the word to your friends and family about the work we’re doing.
As a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation regulated by the OSCR, we take our charitable responsibilities very seriously. We’ll provide frequent updates on how the donations are being utilised, along with sharing plenty of pictures and videos documenting our journey.
We’ve just finished a quick trip to Paphos to see family and thought we’d catch up with Devon and Rob to see the amazing work they are doing. We asked if we could join them as they travelled around feeding the stray cats up to 4 times a day. They were more than happy to oblige. Not only have we met some incredible pussy pals along the way but we’ve also met 2 fantastic humans. Please support Paphos Purrs by making a donation today. Any contribution, however small, will make sure the cats are looked after on a daily basis.