Running rafting tours on the Cetina River is our main adventure at Rafting Pirate, but there is another story happening quietly behind the scenes. Alongside guiding guests through rapids and canyons, we have also found ourselves rescuing animals that need help. Over the years, fifteen cats and two dogs have crossed our path, and we have made it our mission to give them a second chance at life — often finding loving homes for them in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Bottle-Fed Beginnings

Some of the animals we rescued were extremely young and needed round-the-clock care. Two of our cats, for example, came to us when they were just tiny kittens. They were so small that they had to be fed with a bottle, just like a baby.

Those first weeks required patience and dedication. Feeding every few hours, keeping them warm, and making sure they grew stronger day by day became part of our routine after long days on the river. Slowly, the fragile kittens gained strength, curiosity, and personality.

These two cats eventually became part of our family and still live with us today. Because they grew up in a very protected environment, they do not get along well with other cats. For that reason, we do not keep many animals ourselves — instead, we focus on helping them find new homes where they can live happily.

Finding Loving Homes Abroad

Many stray animals in our region struggle to find permanent homes locally. That is why we work together with friends and animal lovers across Europe. Through personal contacts and rescue networks, we help arrange adoptions in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Croatia… where families are often ready to welcome rescued animals.

Before traveling to their new homes, the animals receive proper care, vaccinations, and preparation for the journey. Seeing them leave is sometimes emotional, but it is always rewarding to know they are heading toward a safe and loving future.

We have helped fifteen cats and two dogs make this journey so far, and every successful adoption reminds us why we do it.

More Than Just an Adventure Company

At first glance, rafting and animal rescue might seem unrelated. But both are about respecting nature and protecting life. The same love for the environment that brings people to the Cetina River also inspires us to care for the animals that share our world.

We are not a large organization, just a small team doing what we can when we encounter animals in need. Sometimes that means feeding a tiny kitten with a bottle; sometimes it means arranging a long journey to a new home hundreds of kilometers away.

And every time one of those animals finally curls up safely in a warm home, we know the effort was worth it. 🐾