I recently got this email from Eli Pesheva from Bulgaria. I am reproducing here in its entirety in the hope someone can help. Basically they are looking for people from abroad to adopt these cats.
Eli writes: "I am a volunteer in a BG Cat Friends cat rescue organization where together with other volunteers we invest our time, financial resources, emotions and love to help stray, abandoned, hurt and helpless cats and kittens.
Recently, here in Sofia, Bulgaria, we've come to know about a case where an elderly woman, living in a 70 sq. m. apartment gathered about 30 or 40 cats (exact number is not yet clear as the woman keeps the kitchen window open and as she lives on the 2nd floor of an apartment building, cats get out and she brings more in). You may see some photos of the cats (we took photos of about 25 cats): http://picasaweb.google.com/za.marty/CatsKittens#Her neighbours are pushing her and threatening her that she will be expelled from her home (recently, a law allowing this was accepted in Bulgaria and is already in force) since she is becoming a thread for the hygiene, potential diseases, not to mention the strong and unpleasant smell.
It took us 1 month to gradually become to know the woman, understand the situation and for her to let us in the apartment. As you can image the sight and smell of so many cats (and 3 dogs) in such a limited constrained place was terrible. Luckily, there were no dead animals, no serious injuries and no direct threat to the cats' health. We took pictures of approximately 25 cats, all in generally good shape, sociable, calm domestic pets. In my view and in the opinion of the experienced ladies from the Cat Friends organization and of a social worker whome we have consulted, all cats are adoptable after applying the necessary medical checkups, vaccines, treating for internal/external parasites and neutering.
Unfortunately, for the last 5 years in my experience as volunteer, foster parent to cats and in my efforts to find them a safe, lovable home, I have learned that this process goes a long way. Bulgarians still prefer animals of breed and/or do not have enough money to raise their families, let alone a pet. And on top of all, animal cruelty or neglecting is an everyday situation here with us.
As a Bulgarian I am ashamed and deeply sorry about the situation and am investing lots of efforts and emotions to very slowly influence things in the right direction (participating in events, sponsoring organizations, volunteering to help, issuing & distributing leaflets, etc). I believe this is a slow but hopeful process and I can see it bearing fruits even today - when I see the happy faces of a family that has just adopted a kitten or a puppy.
The reason for contacting you is that with this case of 30-40 cats between 3 and 6 years of age, there is not much we can offer here in BG. It is very difficult to find a good home for a young kitten, let alone grown cats...
What we have started doing with the 'cat gatherer' is in several directions:
1. Gradually built a trustful relationship with patience and honesty: not to over exaggerate the perils, neither to over promise her help or miracles
2. Explain what are the odds of finding a home for all her cats (pretty scarce chances)
3. Do our best to inform and educate her about the options BG laws provide her with (unfortunately, given the situation with her neighbours - she doesn't stand many chances...)
4. Search for free castration and/or sponsorship to immediately stop further breeding
5. Inspire and attract volunteers to help by providing free transport to the vet, sponsorship for the checkup & medicine costs, free cat food & litter (super if some toys are provided, too), free parasites treatment
6. Convince the woman she should give away the cats for adoption
7. Work with the woman to give us (another volunteer and me), one by one or two by two the cats to be neutered and to let the cats stay in foster homes/stationary at the vet's for a few days after the castration as it would be quite dangerous to return the cats back where there is danger of viruses, jumping from a high place, cat/dog fights, etc
I am glad to report that we have already done quick actions for the youngest kittens and have posted several adverts in BG web-sites and newspapers asking for adoption. The first family who expressed interest and seemed promising will meet one of the kittens tomorrow. Also, we are in process with actions 1 to 6 and are currently investing all our efforts in point 7.
Why we believe you could kindly help us by proposing those cats for potential adoption abroad, if possible:
1. We believe the cats are beautiful, intelligent and genuine, each with their individual characteristics.
2. We believe that those cats deserve to live and deserve a lovable home where each of them would be appreciated fro their uniqueness
3. We believe that among these cats, there are some true 'hidden treasures' that even there, in the apartment filled with cats, stand out because of their loving nature, strong will to live, warm & playful attitude - always on the look out for a caress, a good word, a hug...
4. We believe we can find sponsorship here in Bulgaria to send you 3-5 some of the elderly cats that do not stand a chance for adoption in Bulgaria (practice has unfortunately proven this)
5. We believe that in 2-3 months time, we could prepare 3-5 cats from that horrible place in foster homes so that they are ready for adoption abroad "
If you can help please contact eli.pesheva@gmail.com
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