Chema and His Pack: When Love for Cats Becomes a Lifeline

Some stories start with a small gesture and end up changing many lives. The story of Chema y su manada (literally translated as Chema and his pack) began when he took over caring for a colony of street cats that his mother-in-law had been feeding. There were 18 cats at the time, and what seemed like a temporary favor soon became a life mission.

“As I cared for them day after day, I realized feeding wasn’t enough. They needed veterinary care, spaying, a safe place… I understood that good intentions weren’t enough,” Chema recalls.

That moment marked the birth of a project in Cantabria, Spain, that now feeds, protects, and finds homes for dozens of cats.

The “Michiguardería”: a shelter filled with calm

One of the pillars of the project is the Michiguardería, a safe space that acts as a temporary foster home for rescued cats. Here they are dewormed, tested, treated when needed, and—most importantly—given patience and affection to regain trust.

“It’s not just a physical place. It’s a space where we care for them calmly and lovingly, so when adoption day comes, they are ready—physically and emotionally—to take the leap into their new life.”

Feral colonies: an invisible daily job

Most people don’t realize what it means to look after a cat colony. It’s a daily job with no days off: feeding them, cleaning shelters, making sure no one is missing, and rushing to the vet if a cat is sick or injured.

Overpopulation is one of the greatest challenges, and the only effective way to control it is TNR (Trap–Neuter–Return). “It’s what the Animal Welfare Law in Spain  demands, but many municipalities don’t comply. In the end, the cats are the ones who suffer. That’s why we have to keep insisting that things are done right,” Chema explains.

Between vaccines, playtime, and tough decisions

Every rescued cat first goes to the vet before entering the Michiguardería. They are tested, dewormed, and treated if needed. Some eventually find adoptive families, while others—especially the more feral ones—are returned to their colonies, where they are monitored and cared for without forcing them to lose their natural way of life.

When home becomes a shelter

The Michiguardería usually houses between 20 and 25 cats, alongside a permanent colony that Chema and his family care for every single day. “I wake up very early to clean, give medicines, and make sure everyone is okay before going to work. Then I fit in visits to the colonies and trips to the vet throughout the day.”

Luckily, Chema is not alone. His wife and cousin are part of this human pack that makes such an enormous task possible.

The solidarity store: shopping with heart

Taking care of cats means constant expenses: food, litter, medication, surgeries. To sustain the project, Chema created an online solidarity store where every purchase directly supports the cats.

And here’s the most important part: it is entirely non-profit. Every euro from sales goes exclusively to covering the cats’ needs, whether that’s paying for a surgery, sterilization, food, or medicines.

The store offers everything from cat food, litter, and toys to tote bags, purses, calendars, and even books like “The Adventures of Chema and His Pack.” With shipping across Spain and the EU (free over €50), each order helps fund surgeries, sterilizations, or simply fills a food bowl for another day.

“When someone buys from the store, they’re not just getting a product. They’re becoming part of the pack and helping change a street cat’s life.”

Adoptions that change lives

Adoptions are the happiest part of the project. All are done in person, with a contract, microchip, and neutering commitment. Chema stays in touch with adopters and receives photos and videos of the cats thriving in their new homes.

And if something doesn’t work out, the cat always comes back—their well-being is what matters most.

The “invisible” cats also deserve love

Black cats, adults, or those with chronic illnesses are often the hardest to adopt. But Chema insists on giving them visibility: “Adult cats have so much to give. They’re calm, grateful, their personalities are already formed… They just need someone who can see beyond color or age.”

When that match happens, it’s magical: an “invisible” cat finally finds their person, and both lives change forever.

How you can support Chema and his pack

The best part is that anyone can help, no matter where they live:

●      🛍️ Shop with purpose: in the online store you’ll find cat supplies, accessories, books, and calendars.

●      📦 Amazon wishlist: send food, litter, or other essentials directly.

●      💸 Donate: via PayPal, Patreon, or join Teaming with just €1 a month.

●      🎟️ Solidarity lottery tickets: a creative way to contribute while joining in the draw.

●      📚 Learn & share: download the Guide for Feline Colony Caretakers (spanish)  from the website.

●      🌐 Spread the word: follow them on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok and share their stories.

Every gesture counts, and together we can grow the pack.

A final message: don’t look the other way

Chema sums it up simply: “If you see a cat in distress, the most important thing is to help. You don’t need experience or resources—sometimes just acting means saving a life.”

That is the spirit of Chema and his pack: proving that with commitment, affection, and organization, anyone can make a difference. A story that inspires us all to be part of the solution for street cats everywhere.