Rome's Cat Shelter - @ Home in the Roman Ruins

Near the Colosseum, nestled between the ruins of ancient temples—lies an unexpected sanctuary—a shelter for Rome's homeless cats, cared for by a dedicated team of volunteers.

These cats live a charmed life, playing on ancient cobblestones, chasing each other through Roman arches, and lounging on columns built for emperors. Today, they are the aristocracy of this historical setting.

Once we check into our beloved Santa Maria, we always make a visit to the cats one of our first stops.

For all cat lovers, this is a must-see.

An Incredible Story

The story of this cat sanctuary began in the 1990s, when two indomitable women, Lia and Silvia, faced incredible resistance and near bankruptcy in their quest to help the cats who had made their home here. Before their efforts, others fed the cats, but there was no concerted campaign to care for them properly, feed them regularly, sterilize them, or have them treated by vets.

Lia and Silvia made it their life's mission to care for these cats. They battled Rome's legendary bureaucracy, spending their own money on food and veterinary care. Slowly, others joined their cause. 

Foreign Cat Lovers Get Involved

An English lady, Pamela R. James, helped involve the A.I.S.P.A. (Anglo-Italian Society for the Protection of Animals), which brought more organization and fundraising efforts that significantly improved the cats' conditions. Pamela worked tirelessly to support the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary and played a crucial role in raising awareness and funds to support the care and shelter of these cats. Her efforts greatly contributed to improving the lives of Rome's feline residents.

John Henriksen, a United States Naval Captain, and his wife Cheryl took fundraising to a new level. Their support helped ensure the sanctuary could continue its mission of rescuing, caring for, and finding homes for these cats. Their dedication to this cause has been widely appreciated by both the local community and animal lovers around the world.

The Stuff of Novels

Next, Deborah D’Alessandro published a bestselling book called Nelson, the One-Eyed Cat King. The book is based on the real-life story of one of the beloved cats at the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary. Through Nelson's charming and inspiring tale, D’Alessandro highlighted the extraordinary work being done by the sanctuary’s volunteers. The book not only captured the hearts of readers but also played a crucial role in raising awareness about the challenges faced by stray and abandoned cats. It significantly contributed to publicizing the sanctuary’s mission and the dedication of those working to improve the lives of Rome’s feline residents.

Today

The satisfaction of knowing you are loved!

Today, the Torre Argentina Cat Shelter continues to struggle against Roman bureaucracy, always battles for funds, and relies on the support of volunteers.

Lucky Cats!

My personal opinion is that these cats are now very lucky cats. Imagine waking up every morning and finding ancient Rome waiting for you outside your door or window, and enjoying the wonderful dolce far niente lifestyle each and every day.

Questions about cats in Italy and Rome...

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