Zutko the Blind Cat from Sipan, Croatia

The Zutko journey was were the idea for Junk Yard Cats was born. One rainy November in 2019 I scrolled past a post on Facebook; sos dubrovnik cats were seeking someone to meet Zutko and his flight partner off a flight from Croatia to Orly, Paris and bring them back to the U.K. overland. For some reason this called out to me and as I had no plans for the weekend and my best friend failed to dissuade me from said adventure, I volunteered. A hectic week ensued in preparation to drive from Brighton, U.K. to Paris, for the first time.

Zutko had been living on the island of Sipan when the woman who fed his colony passed away unexpectedly. He had recently lost his remaining eye due to infection and it was certain he would not survive a winter, blind and unfed. It was decided undertake the trip to collect him from the island and find him a warm, forever home in the U. K.

I loaded up my car and first thing on Saturday morning hit the road for Paris. Crossing the channel and making a reasonable 4.5 hour journey I found my digs in Paris for the evening and spent the rest of the day taking in the sights on the left bank. An early rise Sunday I met Amie, his flight buddy from Dubrovnik, and this sweet, affectionate, chatty, orange cat.

The return journey proved to be a little more hectic as there was some question as whether he was suffering from Ringworm and his foster home dropped out given this new information. We met with some particularly adverse weather, 80mph winds and lashing rain coinciding with the end to a French holiday weekend lending itself to amazing levels of traffic. The 12+ hour return journey to Brighton was fraught with finding suitable foster space, immediately. It was agreed in the end he would carry on to Devon to his forever home. Zutko is a sweet natured and gentle boy who took the journey all in stride. And so, from Dubrovnik to the West Country in a day to his forever home, or so we thought.....

Unfortunately, his adopter developed a new and overwhelming allergy to cats so Zutko was off to foster care again in London not long after arriving. Some careful searching furnished a lovely couple on the island of Guernsey who were keen to adopt Zutko. He boarded a private charter flight to the island to make his home in their spacious garden and hearts. Little Zutko took some time to find his place in the U.K but he landed himself in one very special home.

I was so inspired by the people who came together to help this charming street cat and all the effort, care and adventure that went into getting him his furever home that I wanted to do more. In the Christmas break on 2019 - Junk Yard Cats was born. We are dedicated to ensuring more cats like Zutko get the care and homes they so lovingly deserve.

We have been busy since the start of the new year and will be catching you up on everything we have been up to in the intervening months. For now I will leave you with some photos of Zutko making the most of maxing and relaxing at home.