Peyrolles-en-Provence, inauguration of a new Chatipi: Press Release

A new Chatipi has been set up in Peyrolles-en-Provence. This facility dedicated to stray cats will be inaugurated on Wednesday 6 May at 3pm at the Domaine du Réal (1146 Route des Alpes, 13860 Peyrolles-en-Provence), in the presence of the mayor of the town, Mr Thomas Arcamone, the president of the local association “Animaux en péril”, and representatives from One Voice, who is leading the nationwide roll-out of this initiative. Educational activities related to feline straying will be on offer, suitable for both children and adults.

The creation of this shelter and care centre dedicated to stray cats is part of the ongoing efforts by the local council and the association “Animaux en péril” to neuter stray cats, whilst improving their living conditions as well as the working conditions for the association’s volunteers.

A concrete response to the issue of feline straying

In France, more than 11 million cats live as strays, exposed to disease, hunger and difficult living conditions. Their presence can also lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with local residents.

It is against this backdrop that One Voice has developed the Chatipi programme: an educational and operational initiative designed to stabilise populations of stray cats through neutering, provide them with shelter, whilst improving their care (feeding, health monitoring) and their coexistence with humans. More than sixty Chatipis have already been established across the country.

A development integrated into a wider local project

This new Chatipi, which One Voice helped to set up, is situated in a rural setting, away from the road, on the site of an old disused watermill, at the entrance to the town. The local council purchased the site a few years ago and planted 240 olive trees of different varieties in view of developing an educational programme there. Activities and school visits may take place at this site.

The presence of the chalet will help raise awareness about the issue of feline straying, the importance of neutering, and the love and respect to which animals are entitled.

The local council constructed the concrete slab and is responsible for the maintenance and any future repairs to the Chatipi facilities. The association “Animaux en péril” installed the chalet and the information board, fitted out the chalet, and is now responsible for feeding, trapping and monitoring the health of the cats, as well as cleaning the chalet. The cats are microchipped in the association’s name.

One Voice, for its part, funded the chalet, the cat flaps, the information board and the educational display. The association also provided 30 kg of dry food to help get the project off the ground and will be funding the neutering, microchipping and testing for major feline diseases for 15 resident cats at the Chatipi site.

A replicable initiative

With this sixth Chatipi in Provence (and the third in the Bouches-du-Rhône), One Voice is continuing its commitment to ethical and sustainable solutions to the issue of feline straying. The scheme is intended to be replicated in other areas facing the same challenges.

Inauguration of a new Chatipi: Press Release

In Peyrolles-en-Provence, a new Chatipi to improve the care of stray cats