In Varennes-Vauzelles, the Nièvre region’s first Chatipi is improving coexistence between humans and cats

A community project born out of a conflict situation

Before the launch of the project, the presence of unneutered cats within the care home grounds had become a source of significant tension: uncontrolled breeding, disturbances in the outdoor areas and animal suffering were fuelling a heated controversy.

Faced with this situation, the care home management had decided to ban the feeding of cats to discourage them from approaching the buildings. Alerted by staff and volunteers concerned about animal welfare, One Voice then contacted the Nevers Urban Area Hospital to propose a practical alternative: the implementation of a Chatipi project.

Chatipi, a practical facility for the protection of cats

Chatipi is an educational project taking the form of a small, specially fitted chalet that provides shelter for cats whilst organising their feeding and health monitoring. Combined with neutering and awareness-raising initiatives around feline straying, it helps stabilise populations and informs the public about the importance of having cats neutered.

As part of this project, One Voice covered the costs of fifteen neutering procedures, microchipping and tests for major feline diseases, as well as the purchase of the chalet, cat flaps, an information board and 30 kilos of dry food.

The Nevers Urban Area Hospital Trust constructed the concrete slab on which the facility stands and will be responsible for the maintenance and any future repairs to the equipment.

The association Les P’tits Félins de Pignelin, set up specifically for this project, assembled and fitted out the chalet. It now feeds the cats, monitors their health, traps them if necessary, buys the food and maintains the chalet. It also covers the long-term veterinary costs for the residents of the Chatipi.

Positive effects for the cats… and for the residents

Since the facility was set up, the situation has changed dramatically. Tensions have eased, and the cats, now neutered and monitored, are in better health and much calmer.

The project has also allowed the residents to enjoy precious moments. One lady comes down every afternoon to feed the cats dry food.She has a special bond with ‘Titi’, the oldest of the group, whom she has known since he was a kitten. Another resident regularly saves a little of his leftovers to share with the cats.

Another resident has knitted a blanket for the cats, thereby regaining some mobility in her hands.

In the long term, therapeutic projects centred on the presence of the animals could also be launched within the care home.

Practical information

The opening of the first Chatipi in the Nièvre region will take place on Thursday 26 March at 2pm, at the Chatipi located within the grounds of the Pignelin care home, 5, route de la Guesse, 58640 Varennes-Vauzelles.

In Varennes-Vauzelles, the Nièvre region’s first Chatipi is improving coexistence between humans and cats

The Nièvre region’s first Chatipi will be inaugurated on 26 March at the Pignelin care home, promoting peaceful coexistence between residents and free-roaming cats.