Fomle's Shelter: Croatian Cat Rescue

Hello everyone! 

Today, I write you with a plea to support a cause that has become my life's mission : the welfare of stray cats along the beautiful Croatian coast, particularly in Vodice and surrounding islands.

(Please check out my tiktok, I post everyday: fomle_foundation )

For years, I've watched with a heavy heart as countless cats struggle on the streets.

I've done what I could, but it's simply not enough! 

To truly make a difference, we need a shelter where they can receive the love and medical attention they deserve.

Fomle, my beloved rescue cat, opened my heart to the world of abandoned animals. To honor her legacy, I'm building Fomle's Foundation.

Currently, there is no dedicated shelter in Vodice. Cats roam the streets, often injured, hungry, or in need of medical attention. Fomle's Foundation aims to change this.

The foundation will not only cater to their immediate needs—food, water, and veterinary care—but also prioritize their long-term well-being through the construction of a proper shelter.

I am fortunate to have inherited a piece of land that will serve as the foundation's location. Now, with your support, we aim to raise approximately 60,000 Euros to build a facility that meets the highest standards of care for these cats. This shelter will be more than just a place to stay; it will be a symbol of hope and compassion for animals in need.

At Fomle's Foundation, I envision two main sections to cater to the diverse needs of our feline residents:

TNR is crucial for several reasons: 

I have dedicated myself to this cause, drawing from my experience with Norway's largest animal organization, where I am learning the essential skills needed to effectively manage and run a shelter. The knowledge and passion I have gained inspire me daily to make Fomle's Foundation a reality.

Every contribution matters, whether large or small. Your generosity will directly transform the lives of stray cats in Vodice and beyond. Please join me in honoring Fomle's memory and creating a brighter future for them.

Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of these vulnerable animals and create a community where compassion for animals thrives.

My Inspiration - Fomle

The idea of Fomle Foundation was born on December 1, 2023, when my first rescue cat, Fomle, passed away.

Even though opening a shelter has been a dream for quite some years already.

Fomle was an exceptional cat and a true fighter.

Croatia has a massive problem with overpopulation of stray cats. You can find multiple cat colonies around, where they mainly survive on scraps. (Some colonies are more lucky than others..)

That's the exact scenery that met me when I first saw Fomle back in the summer of 2016.

Located on a small beautiful island called Prvić Šepurina.

Back then I knew nothing about blind cats, but that was about to change drastically. She was about to change my life forever.

As a half Norwegian and half Croatian that had been visiting Croatia for my whole life, I knew nothing about the horrors of Croatian animal welfare. It wasn't before I moved to Croatia that I really learned the horrible truth..

Unfortunately, poisoning is a common and cruel method used to control the cat population, especially before the tourist season. This inhumane practice is explored in depth in an article by Total Croatia News linked on this page.

TNR offers a humane and effective alternative to these inhumane practices.

You might, as me before, visit Croatia during your holiday and see cats laying around in the sun, cuddled up on a warm spot maybe on a café chair enjoying their life. But I have some news for you, those are not the majority, but the exception.

Most cats, just like Fomle, are living in such horrible and unsanitary conditions that just something like a simple eye infection is enough for them to completely lose their eyes.

What I quickly learned after rescuing Fomle was that a disabled kitty could function extremely well, but on the streets they wouldn't stand a chance.

When I found Fomle that summer day, laying lifeless under a table in 37 degrees heat, she didn't have many days left, or maybe just hours before she would die of starvation and dehydration.

It's bad enough to be a stray cat, where you have to fight for food and survival. But to be a disabled cat...

Simply put, she wouldn't have survived if I didn't bring her home that day.

Her siblings were triple her size. Also, they had an eye infection, but it was in such an early stage that I was able to treat them with medication and it restored their vision completely.

Fomle's eyes, though, were beyond saving. Straight from the ferry to the mainland, I rushed to the vet, and she was treated with multiple injections. At this point, she was way too weak to surgically remove her eyes. So, she received eye medication to see if we could get the infection down. The vet wasn't even sure if she would survive at all. But Fomle, she was a fighter. Weeks and then months later, she had two separate surgeries to remove her eyes.

Unfortunately, Fomle's story is quite common. Later on, I rescued more cats just like her and fostered them at my home. Some survived, some didn't.

All with special needs. Most of them were either blinded or half blind.

I also took in cats that were shot with a BB gun. These same cats were also threatened to get their life ended with stoning if I didn't stop feeding them near someone's house.

Mjaui, one of my other cats, still has the bullets inside to this day. He's now 6 years old. He's the kindest and sweetest cat, but he is extremely afraid of sudden movement and high sounds.

I've always cared for animals. I was raised in s household with cats, dogs and birds. But cats are my true passion. And I am proud to call myself a proper cat lady!

After I moved to Croatia, I used my free time mainly to go around and feed different cat colonies around town because there is no organization in this town, Vodice. A highly popular tourist destination.

It's crowded during season and empty during off season. The street cats mainly survive because of all the garbage the restaurants leave behind and also because of some kind people that feed them. Mostly tourists but there is also some kind people who lives there. The harsh truth is when the season is over,most of them will starve or die off for different 

I contacted local organizations, and while they do valuable work treating critically injured animals, their capacity is limited. They don't have a shelter and aren't able to provide TNR services. We must find other ways to help the animals in need.

The cats of Vodice, the surrounding islands, and the nearby villages require a local shelter to provide them with appropriate care.

• Fomle's journey shows how strong animals can be when they get the care they need. That's why I'm building Fomle's Foundation—a safe place for cats in Croatia to heal and find loving homes.
  

Your support can make a big difference for cats in need. Please consider donating to Fomle's Foundation. Together, we can give these cats the care and second chance they deserve.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, we will be waiting for your donations and kind messages! :)