Kevin and I recently returned from our belated honeymoon trip to Rome. Well, what a stunning place, and whilst there I discovered Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary. I had come across this when looking up Rome cats online. It was somewhere I really wanted to visit and we did so, I loved it so much I went twice. If I'm really honest, I would've gone every day! I hope in the future I can go back to Rome and spend everyday there, that is a dream I now have.
Torre Argentina, is home to around 250 cats who shelter in ancient ruins, the ones who live outside are usually feral, and the ones that spend time inside, are more friendly. This shelter does such fantastic work, helping to neuter and spay cats from other colonies, they do trap/neuter/release programs and other cats who are found with disabilities such as blind, deaf, limb amputees, FIV and elderly etc stay in the sanctuary.
They have many international supporters, more so than Roman. They survive by fundraising, donations from passing tourists, and a sponsorship scheme called Adoption from a distance, where you pay a monthly fee for the cat of your choice.
They have international adoptions too, all over Europe, and even America and Australia.
Kevin and I were interested in quite a few (particularly 3 blind girl kittens and an all black boy with 3 legs) and enquired about adopting and taking one home to Wales in the UK, but unfortunately because of the UK's strict quarantine laws it's too difficult and can cost a lot of money for the paperwork alone. So alas, I had to plump for an adoption at a distance.
There was a cat there named Scarface that we met in the nursery area, he's an adult cat, and has a facial deformity. He eats fine, and is normal in every way, but the fact that he has this makes him a bit more difficult to adopt. So I chose him to send 15 Euros a month via Paypal. He is lovely, and I so hope that somebody from Europe will adopt him one day.
I really cannot tell you how important or wonderful this place really is. The love and care the cats receive is amazing and they do the best they can with whatever they have. The number of old, disabled,one eyed, blind, deaf, formerly abused and disfigured cats they had was heartbreaking, but uplifting because they are so well loved and looked after. One in particular who is a firm favourite with them and all visitors was a cat named Ramingo that has neurological problems. There is an article about him on their websiteThey have a home forever if there isn't anybody that is interested in adopting them.
You can visit their website at www.romancats.com. If you ever visit Rome PLEASE visit this sanctuary, as I know I don't even have to say if you're from Pet Talk, it will a heavenly place for you!
Here is Scarface. I filled in my details and received two photos of him which have taken pride of place on my fridge. If he does get adopted there are others that I had my eye on for adoption at a distance! Obama, a sweet black boy that had a lot of scars, and a cat named Bloody Mary!
Kevin took a lot of pictures I will post in a seperate thread later so for now...
My adoption from a distance
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What a great choice for a honeymoon.
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