“"Callejeras"” is a work by Ruth Montiel Arias that was born from the need to value those who altruistically help those cats that are mostly abandoned in the streets.

Through a series of portraits, she exposes the stories of some of these animals, rescued by volunteers and activists related to the association Callejeros Barbanza and those who have adopted them. Although for circumstantial reasons this specific area is shown, the truth is that it is a reality that thousands of animals are rescued day and night around the world by volunteers and activists who put their time and even their lives on the line to give these "callejeros" a new chance.

Anyone who goes to a shelter can see the number of animals that live there and the need for care, affection and respect they require. It also shows us the magnitude of the responsibility we have as a society and hopefully makes us reflect on the reason why these animals end up like this.

"Callejeras" shows this volunteer work dedicated mostly to cats, but it also reflects the need for care and protection of any animal, whatever it may be, that may be in similar situations.

Helena Rivera (AV editorial team)

LEONOR AND SARA

Leonor appeared with her son Juancar in the garden of a volunteer. When the search for a family began, a woman who claimed to be "her owner" contacted the association to get her back. The people in charge told her that she needed to be microchipped and sterilized, but the woman replied that this was too expensive and that she no longer wanted her. These situations are quite common, especially in rural areas, because cats are basically used to prevent mice from entering their homes.

Leonor now lives in the shelter, waiting for a family to give her the pampering and care she now receives from Sara and the other volunteers. Meanwhile, little Juancar lives happily in his new home.

GREIS AND BEA

Greis was rescued because she was trapped in the engine of a car and in very bad conditions. The volunteers say that from the first moment it seemed that Greis had lived in a house, so they did not rule out that she had been abandoned. Photos of her were posted on social networks but no one ever asked about her. 

Greis was not used to life at the shelter, so her recovery was very slow because of the stress. Bea, a volunteer at the shelter who had connected very well with her, made the decision to take her into her home. They are now inseparable.

COCO AND IRENE

Coco was found inside a carrier, abandoned next to some containers. He did not move his hind legs due to the time he spent locked up; he was dirty and malnourished and did not accept human contact, so it took a lot to gain his trust. One day the volunteers saw that he was breathing badly, so they decided to take him to the veterinarian. There he was diagnosed with a disease that was almost fatal, but for which a treatment was being developed. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers, Coco overcame a terrible disease although he needs lifelong treatment. This is a story with a happy ending: Coco lives with Irene, who not only was with him from day one, but also offered him a home and a family with Bosco and Pachi.

ODIN AND PASCUAL

Odín was found run over in the middle of the road in front of a high school. A group of students alerted Pascual, a teacher at the school, to the situation. When he saw him, he noticed that he had a terrible eye and was soaked in blood and trembling. They decided to call the civil protection service and, when they arrived, the person in charge caught the cat with a ribbon while it was rolling around, clawing at the air and snorting in great fear. Pascual asked if they would take him to the vet's office, to which they replied sharply: "What, who pays for that? They only agreed to do so when Pascual told them he would pay for it. Odin was hospitalized for a long time until they managed to stabilize him. They had to remove his eye. They also reconstructed his jaw, which was shattered. 

The operation was delicate and the recovery was very hard. Due to veterinary negligence, his jaw was not properly set and to this day he cannot chew. Fortunately, and with the exception of the malformation that remained in his jaw, Odin was recovering the ability to eat by licking by himself. Even with everything, Odin is a happy cat, very cuddly and receives all the care of his family who loves him madly. Odin and Pascual have created a very special bond.

TATI AND ROSA

Tati is a kitten that appeared alone when she was less than a month old. A cat had had kittens on a farm, but at one point the mother took the babies away, leaving one of them abandoned. The woman who found her took her to the veterinarian and Rosa took her in. Tati was very sick. She has a kind of cerebral palsy, so she needs medication for life. Today they continue to do tests to determine the exact origin of her illness, but in the meantime Rosa doesn't leave her side nor does she throw in the towel. Tati not only lives surrounded by her human and cat family, but Malena, an adorable rescued dog, takes care of her and calms her in the most difficult moments of her illness.

BRUCE Y MARTA

Bruce nació el 13 de agosto de 2016. En abril de 2021 la asociación recibió la llamada de un hombre que afirmaba que tenía que deshacerse de Bruces, que llevaba 4 años viviendo con ellos, porque habían tenido un hijo con alergia a los gatos.  

Bruce had lived in a house and with a supposed family since he was a baby, so it might be difficult for him to adapt to the shelter and other cats. So Marta, a volunteer at the shelter, offered to foster him. 

Just the day after the call Bruce was dropped off at the veterinary clinic with all his things, his food, sandbox and toys without any hint of sadness and with everything dirty and in bad condition. Marta went to pick him up immediately to take him home but, in spite of giving him all the love possible, Bruce did not start to eat or let himself be petted until the sixth day due to the sadness he carried with him because of the abandonment. Today Bruce, while waiting for a new family, is happy with Marta and Lúa.

HOWL AND PATRI

Howl was found trapped in the engine of a car when he was only a month old. The woman who found him knew Patri for her work as a volunteer in cat shelters and did not hesitate to call her to try to get little Howl out of the car. With many difficulties and mobilizing different people, they managed to do it. Howl was on his way to the shelter, but Patri connected so much with the little boy that she decided to make him part of her family together with his new cat family.

BUBÚ, SABELA AND MAIKA

Bubú was a kitten found in the street during a very cold winter day when he was a baby. He was in such a bad condition that he had to be admitted to the vet for a week. It was difficult to find a treatment that would really cure him, so he had to be admitted again. Bubu fought for his life and thanks to the work of his veterinarian Andrea and his foster mother Maika, this little guy has managed to get ahead and now lives happily with his human family Sabela, Antía, Maika and Kiko and his cat sisters Mincha and Elsa.

MINCHA AND KIKO

Mincha was born during the covid confinement. A neighbor heard her meowing in the area but the imposed rules did not allow to go out to look for her. It wasn't until weeks later that the little girl was rescued. Mincha is a very strong cat and so lucky that not only was she adopted very soon by Kiko and his family, but when they rescued her and took her to the vet, she was completely healthy. Mincha has a full life with her human and cat family.

INDIA AND BEA

One day in a parking lot Bea found two very thin kittens that she could hardly get close to without them running away. From that day on she started to feed them and keep an eye on them; but after a few days, one of them disappeared and the other one got pregnant. This is India, who was always waiting for Bea but disappeared very often. At that time Bea was not yet a volunteer and was working on her own. 

India gave birth just a couple of months before the covid arrived and Bea managed to find a family for all the babies; and shortly before the confinement, Bea managed to get India, take her to be sterilized and invite her to be part of her family.

MICIFUZ AND MÓNICA

Micifuz appeared in a high school. During recess, a group of students alerted Mónica, a teacher at the school, that there was a white kitten cornered in the playground and that he seemed to be injured. Mónica took it to a veterinary clinic where they concluded that he was suffering from serious injuries, most likely due to being run over. The after-effects made Micifuz totally dependent on someone to take care of him. But in spite of everything, Micifuz is happy and very curious. Mónica can no longer conceive her life without him.

MIRLO AND IVÁN

Mirlo had been living on the street since he was a little boy and it was obvious that he had hardly had any contact with human beings. Due to an accident he was left without mobility in his back legs. He needed a lot of care and attention and affection. With the help of the volunteers of the shelter, Mirlo recovered little by little until he regained full mobility. He now lives with Iván and they have a tremendously special connection, they are very lucky to have each other.

Work by Ruth Montiel Arias

Published in December 2022