When we left Kotor, Montenegro on our second visit last October (2018), we left very disturbed but resolved. Disturbed because we saw a neighbor stomping on a weeks-old kitten’s head killing it; resolved because we decided we would trap and sterilize as many cats as possible when we return to Kotor seven weeks later from Sarajevo. Our little organization would be called Ally Cats, and Ally Cats’ network of volunteers would sterilize alley cats.

During my research, I found out that someone had just started an non-profit organization called Kotor Kitties about three months prior. It was doing what Kenric and I wanted to do, but on a much bigger scale. It was much more organized, and had a much more qualified group of volunteers. It’s a full-on TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program, much more sophisticated than what Kenric and I were going to do – trapping and carrying the cats using the big laundry basket at the Airbnb. Not to mention, Kenric is severely allergic to cats.

I supported Kotor Kitties whenever I could and soon, I got to know the person who started it. This morning, in Seattle, Washington, Kenric and I had breakfast with April and her husband, Mike. Yes, Kotor Kitties was started by a tourist from Seattle who visited Kotor for just two days last June. April, her Airbnb host, the host’s sister and brother-in-law had a meeting and decided they would start a Trap-Neuter-Return program for Montenegro. Apparently, many resolutions were made in Kotor last year.

Kotor Kitties organizes fundraisers on GoFundMe, Facebook, and also accepts donations via PayPal. The funds are used to provide free sterilization for any cats (homeless or not) that are brought to the only vet in town (Vet Port Kotor). Dr. Cetkovic very kindly gives a steep discount. His colleague and friend from Niksic (1.5 hours away from Kotor) has also joined him in this effort, performing operations in his town and also in Kotor.

We had a wonderful time chatting with April and Mike at breakfast talking about cats (of course), travel, their very imminent retirement, current affairs, etc. It was very inspiring. We hope to see them again somewhere in this big world. We think we will.

A couple months ago I made some photo cards to help with raising funds. The purchase of the 36€ card will pay for the spaying of a female cat, and the 24€ for the neutering of a male cat. The cats featured on the cards were sterilized through Kotor Kitties! The 10€ card will contribute towards medicine, vaccines and traps. It features my beloved Kotor cats Egyptian, Kelly Koh and Waxy. We hope to sell these cards to the tourists who visit Kotor.

I know I hit you guys up for donations in January, so I won’t push it. But I strongly recommend that you at least go “Like” the Kotor Kitties page and help it build its presence. Check out its work and progress. Of course, donate if you can (Paypal).