The Cats of Greece
PHOTOGRAPH: John Moeses Bauan
“If you’ve ever been a tourist in Greece you’ve most probably noticed tiny eyes watching you from the rooftops as you walk down the cobblestoned streets and alleys. Those shiny eyes belong to the local neighborhood cats.”
Most cats you’ll encounter on the streets of Greece are not feral but strays (a stray cat is a domestic cat that has been abandoned or is lost).
Greece’s mild winters help them survive the colder months and the locals take it upon themselves to offer the neighborhood cats food, water, and shelter.
Visitors also feed the cats who in general leave you alone, preferring to laze about in the sun.
On some of the smaller islands which the tourists don’t normally visit in winter, you will see signs in local shops, asking for donations of money or cat food to see the cats through these colder months.
If you look at both Greeks and Romans, you’ll find that they regarded cats highly, and saw them as a symbol of independence.
According to historians “A first-century CE epitaph of a young girl holding a cat is among the earliest pieces of evidence of cats in Rome and Greece.”
Not only does Greece have a population of stray cats, but this small country also has its own cat breed, named the Aegean Cat. These cats are native to the Cyclades, the Greek islands located in the Aegean Sea. The Aegean cat is believed to be a very resilient breed since they evolved without any human intervention, and they’ve kept their characteristics until this day.
This beautiful feline breed has a lean, muscular body, their coats are usually a bicolor or tricolor, which come in black and white, red, blue, or cream, and some have tabby markings.
Most travelers who also love cats, will be happy to encounter these furry creatures sunbathing beneath the Greek sun, just as they do.
If you’re planning to visit Greece, remember to pay your respects to these locals by offering them a few delicious goodies - if you’re lucky enough you’ll receive their blessing in the form of a gentle rub against your leg.
