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The British couple’s dream to transform a slice of sun-drenched paradise in Spain into a feline sanctuary has been put off after squatters refused the leave the property which they bought with local government approval.
Chris Hicks, 47, a removal company surveyor from the UK, snapped up a three-bedroom house with 6,000 square metres of land in Inca, Mallorca, for a bargain €110,000 last November – but there was a catch: it came with a squatter family already inside.
The home was built illegally and needs another €13,000 spending on it to make it legal – and then it will be worth an estimated €700,000.
The couple hoped to turn the property in a permanent cat sanctuary. They would care for and rescue the most vulnerable moggies on the island.
Hicks and Natasha are both animal lovers who have been living in Mallorca for 15 years. They care for 70 cats per day and have rescued over 450 pets. They’ve spent a staggering €70,000 of their own money on neutering, food and care.
But the mission is now on pause, as a squatter family – two parents and their two children – continue to live in the house, claiming vulnerability status for a decade and a place on the social housing list for five years.
What’s left Hicks unhappy is the alleged radio silence from Inca’s mayor, Virgilio Moreno – despite the local council originally backing the cat sanctuary vision.
Hicks said he contacted Moreno at least 20 times without receiving a reply.
Hicks remarked, “The Mayor has completely ignored us.” “And neither are the social services doing enough to help our family.” Everyone’s been let down – the animals, us, and the squatters.”
Hicks was told by the squatters that they had moved into an infested den, with no doors and broken windows. But Hicks insists this is fiction – and he has the TikToks to prove it.
“They said the place was wrecked – full of needles and druggies – but I’ve seen videos showing the house in decent shape,” he said. “They claim that the house is in a bad state, but I’ve seen videos showing it to be in a decent condition,” he said. The mother worked for the town council!”
Hicks now has brought in Desokupas – a controversial private eviction firm known for handling squatting situations. Even they are overwhelmed. Hicks said, “They told my Mallorca is rife right now with squatters.”
According to official stats, the Balearic Islands saw 514 squatting reports in 2024 alone – and the problem is only getting worse.
Despite the tension, Hicks still holds out hope: “We’re not heartless – this family needs help, and they deserve the housing they’ve been promised. We need our own sanctuary, too. “It’s time for the authorities to step in.”
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