“The way that this is working is that with these vouchers I then go to the supermarket and buy food which the particular feeders request,” Falzon told Lovin Malta. 

“Some cats have sensitive stomachs so I want to make sure that I’m not just helping for the sake of it but I’m helping in a way that is not hurting the cats.”

Francesca has now distributed that food to colony feeders around the island, some of whom feed over 100 cats multiple times every day.

While some might disagree with the act of feeding stray cats given there are too many strays around the Maltese islands already, Francesca points out that colony feeders often neuter the cats that they feed. 

This limits the damage caused by out-of-control breeding which could exacerbate the stray cat problem, and put more undue strain on already overburdened animal sanctuaries.

She considers this act of kitten kindness to be a part of her civic duty. Not only has she contributed significantly towards the full bellies of hungry animals, but she’s done so by making sure that bags and bags of recyclable waste actually got passed along to a recycling plant.

Francesca is taking on this action (mostly) alone. She is a self-described “one-man-band”, though she has expressed thanks to her mum, Josette, who has offered some generous aid.

While Francesca is already faced with more donations than she can quickly handle, she hopes that more people will collect bottles, cans, and glass, before sending her a message so that she is able to continue to do this work when she has the opportunity to do so. 

“My mum has been extremely supportive in this, I was doing it all alone from the start but my mum has a huge heart when it comes to animals as well. I’ve always had cats since I was nine years old. My mum brought me up with this outlook of love and respect towards animals.”

Along with her mother, Francesca wished to thank C.L.A.W.S. cat sanctuary, where her feline volunteering journey began.

After a long day of helping Malta’s strays, Francesca unwinds at home with four rescue cats, Sheldon (who is semi-paralysed, and living a great life), Tony (who is blind, and rocking it), Bobby, and Ollie.

While Falzon has managed to achieve so much already, she intends to continue her work well into the future and would be thrilled to be contacted by any interested donors.

Could you help convert unwanted waste into much-needed food?