Padel players and animal lovers unite for a purr-fect cause in Jávea

Padel took on a charitable twist in Jávea this weekend as players, families and animal lovers came together to raise money for the Jávea Feral Cat Association (JFCA).

The Paw and Padel event combined a competitive padel tournament with a family-friendly festival, all in aid of the association’s work supporting the town’s feral and street cat population.

Despite challenging weather conditions, the tournament got underway on Saturday, with competitors battling it out on court before the finals took place on Sunday.

The event brought together people of all ages, creating a lively atmosphere while raising much-needed funds for the association’s ongoing work.

€2,800 raised for Jávea’s cats

Although the final figure is still being calculated, organisers estimate that the weekend raised an impressive €2,800 for the JFCA.

The money will help support the association’s trap, neuter and return (TNR) programme, which plays an important role in managing feral cat colonies across Jávea.

TNR involves safely trapping cats, having them neutered and then returning them to their established colonies. The approach helps prevent uncontrolled breeding while allowing established colonies to remain healthier and more stable.

For an organisation relying heavily on volunteers and donations, fundraising events such as Paw and Padel provide valuable support for this work.

Local support for a vital cause

The prizes were presented on Sunday by Jávea mayor Rosa Cardona, alongside Juanjo Garcia, councillor for services, adding an official show of support to an event that brought the local community together.

JFCA vice president Julie Keene thanked everyone involved in making the weekend possible, highlighting the large number of people who contributed their time, support and resources.

She also gave special thanks to Cardona for taking time out of her Sunday to attend the event and present the prizes.

The weekend demonstrated how popular local activities can be combined with fundraising to support causes that have a direct impact on the community.

More volunteers urgently needed

The JFCA currently has more than 110 registered cat colonies in Jávea, supported by a network of volunteers who dedicate their time to caring for the animals.

The association says its volunteers play a crucial role in looking after street and feral cats, from monitoring colonies to helping with feeding and veterinary care.

However, the organisation is also keen to attract more people willing to get involved.

One of its biggest priorities is finding additional volunteers who can assist with trapping cats as part of the TNR programme.

Keene encouraged anyone interested in helping to consider volunteering, stressing that even additional pairs of hands can make a difference.

With more than 110 colonies already registered in Jávea, the association’s work represents a considerable ongoing commitment.

The success of Paw and Padel has provided a welcome boost, both financially and in raising awareness of the work being carried out by volunteers across the municipality.

For the organisers, what began as a weekend combining sport and family fun ultimately became a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together for a cause close to its heart.