About Us
Kefalonia Animal Trust
Kefalonia Animal Trust is a small Greek registered charity (NO:7322003).
We are run entirely by a small group of unpaid volunteers, dedicated to working together to improve the situation of unwanted kittens and puppies on the island.
We spend all our money neutering as many owned and stray animals as we can afford. We also pay for emergency treatments as needed.
We spend a lot of time fund raising, we have our charity shop,* we hold bazzars, raffles, competitions, auctions and social events.
We are very fortunate to have a dedicated fan base, who make regular and generous donations.
As a small group, we are proud to say that we have been instrumental in raising enough funds to either pay for, or help with the costs, of neutering many thousands of cats and dogs.
Cathy – (Committee member – President)
We moved to Kefalonia in 2010 with our German Shepherds, after a stay on Goa.
I got involved with KAT in 2011, after having a conversation with our founder Pat Dolman. She invited me to help out at a bazzar they were holding at a school in Keremies. I then got involved with the charity shop when it opened in Karavados and subsequently the Svoronata shop.
I have always loved animals and since losing my quilty pleasure, German Shepherds, I now have 3 rescue dogs and 2 cats.
Janet (Committee member – Treasurer)
We moved to Kefalonia in 2009, bringing our elderly Birman house cats with us.
Pat Dolman, our founder, advertised for people to work in a charity shop in Karadavdos, which she wanted to start, so I attended the meeting. She asked for someone to run it and I was talked into it by a friend, with a view to doing it together. The shop opened in November 2012.
We moved the shop to Svoronata in October 2013, as we were very kindly offered the use of a larger property there.
I joined the committee and took over as treasurer in late 2015.
At the moment we have 9 cats and a dog at home.
Allan and I go out feeding several cat colonies everyday, plus any hungry faces we see whenever we are out and about.
Jan (Committee Member – Promotion/Publicity)
I joined KAT in 2019, further to following their amazing work on Facebook.
At the charity shop, I’m either working in the back office, unpacking all your donations or front of house taking photos or doing live events on social media.
I organise various fundraising events (raffles/auctions/competitions) and have been involved in 2 Christmas bazzars (our biggest fundraiser)
In February 2020, I assisted with an a major TNR programme and it was one of the most gratifying experiences I have ever been part of , 235 cats neutered in 2 weeks…an incredible achievement, so proud to have been part of it.
At home we have 10 cats and 1 dog . We also care for another 11 cats and 5 dogs and feed a few local cat colonies too.
Mahi (Committee member – Secretary)
I learned about KAT from a fellow member in 2017.
With her and KAT help I had all the cats I took care of at the time neutered.
I then slowly started getting involved myself after being introduced to the founder, Pat Dolman and having the honour of working on a TNR with her.
I have been volunteering at the KAT charity shop since late 2019.
I take care of the numerous cats, my own and strays..all neutered.
Lorna
I have lived in Kefalonia since 2008 and have been a member of KAT since 2010.
I have helped at the charity shop since it opened in Karavados in 2012.
At Svoronata,I can usually be found in the stockroom, unpacking donations.
My husband, Ray and I have helped raise funds for the Charity and assisted at several TNR neutering events.
We also feed local strays and have 9 rescue cats at home.
I enjoy sewing and recently have been making masks, bags and cats beds to raise funds at our charity shop in Svoronata and online.
Bell
I first became involved with KAT when visiting the charity shop when it was in Karavardos.
I started volunteering about 6 years ago. I have 2 rescue cats and a rescue dog.
Before living full time in Kefalonia I also had two rescue Japanese Spitz.
I attend a Tia Chi class and enjoy watching tennis and quiz programmes.
Jane
I became involved with KAT in January 2020.
I noticed alot of stray cats in the area I lived in and wanted help and advice on how I could neuter them. This is when I learnt about KATs neutering programme and was so impressed with the work they did, I decided immediately to volunteer.
I now help with local TNRs and feed a colony, who are all healthy and happy .
I also volunteer at the charity shop in Svoranata.
I have 1 cat, but he’s not a Greek cat!
Allan
70 years old proud Mancunian, football crazy, now cat crazy.
I have been involved for many years with the charity as my wife joined in 2012.
Now help with cat catching, feeding colonies and the shop when required.
Rob
I became involved with KAT a few years ago, further to my wife, Janice asking for help when she was catching cats to be neutered.
I love to see the difference that the charity makes in keeping the numbers of strays down, the animals of Kefalonia have a much better lifew as a result.
I assist with setting up at the charity shop on Sundays, doing lots of vet runs when we do local TNRs and have been involved with many of our fundraising events.
Julie
I am new to the KAT team, having recently moved here from the UK, with my husband Keith.
I first heard about the charity from the founder, Pat Dolman’s grandchildren, Jess and Dan, who were childhood friends of my daughter. They would talk about their adventures with the animals here.
I feel so lucky to now live in this beautiful place and to be able to contribute to this amazing charity myself.
I have one very cheeky and extremely spoilt rescue cat, Tiggy.