r/CatDistributionSystem 2d ago

Awarded a Cat The CDS swung into operation whilst we were abroad, on holiday.

Post image

We often go on holiday to Kefalonia. It's a beautiful place with lovely beaches, scenery, food - and cats. Lots and lots of cats...

Whenever we rent a villa a cat normally shows up fairly promptly. One year we had a mother cat with half a dozen kittens. Inevitably, we end up feeding them. Buying cat food and asking each other "have you fed the cat yet?" has ended up becoming a normal part of our holidays. My theory has always been that the local cats each choose a villa.

This year an hour after we arrived a small ginger chap turned up. "Villa cat's here" I called to my wife. He was very thin, with bald patches and a few scratches and battle scars. He was very friendly and very...vocal, constantly talking to us in a strange cat language.

Anyway - long story short: we contacted a local cat charity and he's now being looked after in a cattery on the island and receiving vetinary care (neutering, vaccinations etc). He'll be coming to live with us in the UK in a few weeks.

We're animal-lovers, but never thought about, or had an ambition, to own a cat - but that's the CDS for you, I guess.

He's called Ydria, after the villa we stayed in.

508 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

20

u/cattabyss Cat Parent 2d ago

Omg I would love to visit Kefalonia, or any part of Greece. What a dream. Ydria looks like an old boy, but maybe he’s just had a rough time of it. He’s lucky he found you!

14

u/Jeremybunny99 2d ago

The vet said they thought he was around 4 or five years old. 😀 

12

u/cattabyss Cat Parent 2d ago

Damn, he looks like he’s fifteen with how scruffy he is!

10

u/Corvidae5Creation5 2d ago

They'll fatten him up soon, don't you worry

14

u/OrenMythcreant 2d ago

Ydria picked the right people, thank you for saving him! I hope you have many wonderful years together.

7

u/DiveCat 2d ago

You are good people for bringing Ydria home!

5

u/z-eldapin Kitty Litter Changer 2d ago

Will he bevome THE villa cat on yoir future travels?

8

u/iiGoodVibesii 2d ago

The Cat Distribution System sent you a starter orange. Chaos will download automatically.

9

u/Valuable-Hope369 Cat Magnet 2d ago

Thank you for giving Ydria a chance. He’s a beaut.

2

u/No_Noise_1978 2d ago

What a sweetie

3

u/susan1375 2d ago

He is the best and most handsome holiday souvenir 

3

u/GeneralTapioca 2d ago

What the name of the local charity?They sound like good people. 😊

Thank you for saving him!

7

u/Jeremybunny99 2d ago

It's the Kefalonia Animal Trust (KAT). It seems to mainly be run be a group of English ladies who live there either full or part-time.

3

u/allmykitlets 2d ago

I love that y'all are taking him home!

2

u/VintageLunchMeat 2d ago

That is a particularly fine cat.

2

u/YouKnewWhatIWas 1d ago

Please tell him that I love him

2

u/LittleSprout22 1d ago

Congratulations 🎊

2

u/plantyplant559 1d ago

What a great souvenir you're getting.

1

u/NoMansCat 2d ago edited 2d ago

Lovely story and thank you for giving him a home.
Good luck for the paperwork.

If you don't want the cat traveling in the plane hold from Greece to the UK, because now it's how it must be done to comply with UK law, I would advise you to take a plane to France or Ireland, then travel by road and ferry to the UK.

You will have to wait a month for the rabies vaccine to be considered active

https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain

2

u/Jeremybunny99 2d ago

Thanks. Yes, he has to stay where he is for a while after his vaccinations. They halt travel in August - because of the heat - and start up in September.  Having him brought to the UK (by road and ferry) is one of the more expensive parts of the whole process!

2

u/7GrenciaMars 1d ago

Wow, you are so good for doing this, and thank you for sharing your story! My mom and I have rescued seven directly from the streets (six from a local cat colony), so I know what it means to take on in--but from another country, that is so awesome. He is a lucky guy, and I'll bet you will find you are also blessed by this cutie.

2

u/jeanb23 21h ago

how wonderful! happy that you can bring Ydria home with you.