I was listening to the radio the other day – National Public Radio (NPR) – and there were some callers trying to win a free trip to see the Diane Rehm Show, get an autographed copy of a book of hers, or something along those lines… 

     They were calling answering some random questions (I forget who was actually asking the questions…).  One of the questions was something along the lines of, “What famous establishment is know for it’s very large number of stray cats roaming around?”  I think it was a multiple choice question, if I remeber correctly.  One of the answers was the Roman Coliseum, and that was the correct answer.  Apparently, there are hundreds of cats that roam these ancient Roman ruins.  It has been said that the great Roman Emperor, Julius Cesear’s, spirit resides in these feline creatures.  Who know’s…

Why So Many?…

     I guess that in the past, no one spayed or neutered these cats so their numbers multiplied greatly over many years.  Also, back in the 1920’s, the ‘gattare,‘ or cat ladies, would always feed these stray cats.  The number of stray cats in Rome has grown so large that a sanctuary was found for them.  Torre Argentina (excavated in 1929) became this sanctuary.   The sanctuary is run by volunteers and has taken in thousands of cats over the years, feeding them, nursing them; and now, spaying or neutering as necessary.  

Next time you’re in Rome, go check out the cats! …..

More Reading:

• http://www.romancats.com/index_eng.php
• http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/lazio/rome-cats.asp

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