200 Cats at risk: Rhodes authorities want demolition of shelter “Cat-House” (Petition)

Authorities on the island of Rhodes in south-east Greece have given an ultimatum of five days to the Voluntary Cat Care Group to remove the structure of the shelter “Cat-House” hosting some 200 animals, among them 60 kittens.

The well-known shelter for stray cats in Kallithea, Rhodes, the so-called “Cat House” –Gatospito-, is under the threat of demolition with the animals at risk to start a life on the streets.

This is a place that has been operating for years as a shelter for over 200 stray cats. However, the relevant authorities gave the volunteers of the Volunteer Cat Care Group five days to remove the structures and demolish the site.

According to local newspaper rodiaki.gr,  the relevant state document stated “We invite you, within five full days of the service of this summons, to demolish and remove the following arbitrariness, which you have constructed and are using: fencing with wire mesh and iron posts 42 meters and a height of 1.80, with a roofed section of elenite of 52 sq.m. and approximately 1.80 m high, occupying a total area of ​​104 sq.m. in a forest, located in the location of Loutra Piges Kallithea, part of KM 338 of land of Koskinou municipality of Rhodes, property of EOT [the National Tourism Organizatio!], as depicted in the extract O/F 2015 that we attach. Otherwise, we will take the actions defined in article 67 of Law 998/79, as added by article 40 of Law 4280/2014″.

This decision has caused despair among the thirty volunteers who have devoted their time and resources to the care of the animals. Many of the strays are sick, while about 60 are kittens.

The group’s work, which relies solely on donations from tourists, is now becoming more and more difficult as there is a risk that the animals will be left without shelter.

The history of “Cathouse” began more than ten years ago, when the then mayor of Kallithea, Yiannis Iatridis, granted the space to the volunteers. Located in a wooded area near Kallithea Springs, it is a tourist attraction as many visitors from abroad come to see the cats, care for them and, in some cases, adopt them.

The demolition announcement surprised the volunteer group, which is now trying to find a solution to relocate the animals.

To date, the space has been supported solely by platform donations, covering basic needs such as neutering, care and food.

Now, the volunteers plan to seek the support of the mayor of Rhodes, in the hope of securing a new space with the necessary infrastructure, so that the cats are not left on the street.

There is a PETITION “ Save Kalithea Cats – Every Life Matters! where you can sign and request the cats’ rescue.

PS I bet my 2 cents, authorities, that is in fact the Tourism Organization, want to lease or sell the area for ‘investment’ even thought via the “Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund” that sells of the best parts of the country following the dictate of the International Monetary Fund and the country’s lenders.