In the idyllic Greek island of Lesbos, where azure waters meet ancient history, a heartwarming adoption story overcame challenges and led to the rescue of two feral kittens. For Caroline Hide and her family, this tale of compassion and determination began with a love affair with Lesbos that spanned over two decades.
CAT RESCUE
Lesbos, a gem in the Aegean Sea, first captured the heart of Neil’s mother, Jan, and Neil himself, who sought solace on the island during a challenging time in his life. Skala Kalloni, a quaint fishing harbour in Lesbos, became their perfect getaway haven and they found peace in the authenticity of the Greek way of life. As their relationship flourished, Caroline joined Neil on their annual pilgrimage to the island and equally fell in love with the place.
“I always joked about bringing back a cat,” Caroline said. “But the whole process sounded confusing, so we left it.” Yet, this year was different, and the catalyst for change came from an unexpected source — their hotel owner, Thekla.
Thekla, deeply moved by the plight of stray cats and dogs on Lesbos, partnered with a local charity and a veterinarian to launch a neutering program. The island’s streets were teeming with strays, and were subject to mistreatment or nuisance by some locals. Thekla aimed to change this by educating the community and providing a haven for these animals. During the Covid lockdown, she converted two hotel rooms into makeshift operating theatres, allowing the veterinarian to neuter as many cats and dogs as possible. Once neutered, the cats received a distinctive ear-tip clip to signal that they were not strays but were under Thekla’s care.
MIRANDA & ZORBA
Caroline and Neil met two kittens, named Miranda and Zorba, were abandoned by their mother and had to be bottle-fed. Miranda, the larger of the two, bore a heart-shaped marking on her fur, a tribute to the Dutch lady who found her. Zorba, on the other hand, was the epitome of mischief, known for his hilarious antics and parkour skills. The decision to bring these kittens into their lives was sealed when Neil, initially hesitant, fell in love with Miranda. “Well, if we’re bringing one back, we may as well bring two,” he declared. Thus, Zorba, the smaller and crazier of the pair, joined their family.
While many Dutch tourists visiting the island could easily rehome these animals within the EU, Brexit posed challenges for the Hides in the UK. However, the dream of adopting a feline friend was n
