Feline Xenophilia

IF YOU walk through the old city of Nicosia, you're bound to stumble upon a number of stray cats, and very few people who are tolerant of them. Maria Kountou is one rare individual who has adopted roughly two dozen cats in an attempt to keep them off the streets and out of the hands of those who voluntarily run them over, poison them, stab them, stone them, or as happened in one instance, shove them inside a car engine. Neighbours often hassle her for leaving food for hungry cats and after repeated incidents of animal abuse, torture and killing, she has taken them under her wing. Kountou lives alone and claims that her cats are her children, her companions, and "God's creatures", deserving of equal basic rights to both life and nourishment.

Kountou was homeless before moving into her current place of residence four years ago, in old Nicosia near the Archbishiphoric. The elderly man who once owned the house and helped her off the streets, has since passed away. The house was sold to the Archbishphoric and Kountou has continued to reside there. Because the house does not belong to her, she has faced harassment from others whom she claims want access to the home. On many occasions, her windows were smashed and once she even says someone tried to strangle her. Fearing for her life, she has made repeated pleas to the police, who continue to ignore her.

If you visit her home, you'll see a number of felines of various shapes and sizes cooling themselves on the cold tile floors, lounging in the shade of the fruit trees, or methodically cleaning themselves. Throughout the home, you'll find various nooks and crannies filled with litters of kittens attached to the bellies of nursing mothers. As many are still recovering from a history of trauma, they remain wary of foreign visitors. Although she doesn't always have the funds to feed herself, let alone her cats, Kountou does what she can to keep them as healthy as possible.

When asked why she has invested so much in these animals, she stresses that they are "innocent, good intentioned creatures that show unconditional love."

"People are not like that," she states in a disheartened manner, "you give, give, give, and they just turn around and stab you in the back."

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

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• of
• Felines

[kypreos1]

what's also sad is.. that she is poor too!

I hope she wins the millions some day!

[CyprusMailVideo]

You're right! I hope she does to, or if one of us does, we should share it with her!

You know, actually, she's also a prostitute. I didn't know this until I was there and one of her customers came over.  Such a sweet woman though! Makes you think before judging next time!

Thanks for your comments.

-vasia

[DreamsofCentaurs]

T.T the cats love her!!! poor things

[TekX420Cal]

Thats fucked up. Some of the ppl in life give what they dont have...n deserve more than that

[busafwine]

very sad situation..

[lalo1218cholo]

What an amazing woman. She deserves the best for being such a good person. I hope the best for her =) Cyprus is such a beautiful country. I love it =) Iv never been there before but hope one day to go =)

Greetings and love from The United States of America =)

♥Cyprus♥

[GoodFellowCol]

A very good hearted lady,who should have some respect.

[kypreos1]

MY FAVORITE COUNTRY!