Meet Nico, a dedicated Belgian resident of Crete who is tirelessly working to feed and care for a colony of around 100 stray cats in his community.

Nico's efforts are supported by Kriticat, a nonprofit organization committed to rescuing and caring for sick stray cats, as well as providing consistent feeding runs in Lassithi and Ierapetra, Crete. Currently, all the crucial work is being carried out mainly by Nico and a friend. While he receives some assistance through donations for food and litter, he struggles to gather funds for an electric bike, which would greatly aid his endeavor. With no transport other than an ordinary bicycle, Nico navigates the rugged terrain with a heavy backpack multiple times a week.

As Nico puts it: “The 20km bike rounds keep me fit, but a vehicle would be much better for rescuing sick or injured animals and taking them to the vet.”

Nico needs your support to purchase an electric bike, costing €900. His latest post on the KRITICAT Facebook page struck me profoundly:

"Feeding rounds stop!
I have tried hard to keep doing this but it has currently gotten too difficult.
Health problems, no motorized vehicle, small number of donors…
This is very, very hard for me to decide, and I will still feed if I happen to have transport. This will still be at least once per week (…)"

Nico embodies a beacon of hope in a challenging environment with little concern or policies for the plight of stray cats.

You might be thinking, “There are problems with stray cats here as well.” Yes, that’s true. But what if 180 people donated just €5 for a bike? This small act could rekindle Nico's light, allowing him to continue his vital work. He selflessly dedicates himself to the welfare of animals in this remote area, where hope seems scarce.

For more information and to explore different ways to donate, please visit Nico’s website at kriticat.org.

This appeal is solely focused on gathering funds for the electric bike (a photo of the intended bike is displayed at the top of this page, and a luggage rack will be added). Let’s come together to support Nico and the precious lives of the stray cats in Crete!