Kotor, Montenegro: home to beautiful beach views, amazing architecture, and…countless cats?
Yes, you read that right. Kotor is famous for its four-legged feline friends. In fact, Kotor has such a large cat population, it’s nicknamed the City of Cats.
No one is quite sure how Kotor acquired all these kitties, but it’s believed that cats came on trading ships and were left behind. As time passed, the cats earned a new status as the unofficial symbol of Kotor. The cats hunted mice and rats, which helped keep illness down. Some people believe they protected Kotor from natural disasters and war. Whatever the case, “cats are a symbol of good luck for Montenegro,” says Oxana Troshina, owner of the Cats of Kotor souvenir shop.
These cuddly cuties are so popular that Kotor residents and tourists feed, pet, and shelter them. Kotor’s cats are such a huge part of its culture, they’re featured in stores and souvenirs. They even have their own museum, called Cats Museum. Kotor Kitties is a local charity that spays, neuters, and provides medical care for the cats.
Now that Kotor’s cats are out of the bag, come to DeKalb Public Library September 13 for 8 Countries in a Day and learn more about Kotor and its cats. We will also have a Mammals of Montenegro program with the Burpee Museum of Natural History! Don’t miss it, it’ll be the cat’s meow!
