A visit to Rome's Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary from this video by Durant Imboden Loads of caring people are helping cats around the world. These are some of our favourites that would be on my list of tourist destinations. Isle of Man The Mann Cat Sanctuary helps kitties in this island community located between Great Britain and Ireland. Sue Critchley created the six acre sanctuary in 1996 with Carole Corlett (RIP) to provide a haven where cats and other animals may roam freely indoors and out. Its website provides four 24-hour webcams of four indoor locations, including the Conservatory, Lounge and Feral House. The sanctuary often welcomes visitors. They mention sterilizing all cats that are adopted out, but providing sanctuary seems to be the priority for this rescue. Italy Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary - Rome’s oldest feline colony, located in temple ruins dating to 400-300 B.C., is now home to about 130 cats. Cats were noticed living there after the ruins were excavated in 1929. Various cat lovers cared for the residents over the years, until Lia Dequel (RIP) and Silvia Viviani created the formal organization in 2004. They now conduct full trap-neuter-return programs, with foster care and adoption of kittens. Tourists are welcomed daily. Cats of Su Pallosu (I Gatti di Su Pallosu) - Gorgeous seaside photo opportunities with cats are offered in Su Pallosu, near the west coast of the island of Sardinia. Cats are believed to have arrived with tuna fishing boats to help with rodent control over 100 years ago. In 2011, Andrea Atzori and his wife Irina Albu founded the rescue. The colony now includes about 60 cats, all sterilized, some who roam freely on the beach. Guided tours arranged in advance include features like the feline garden, cat’s house, and museum, with translation into English offered. Regular updates are provided on the English-language Facebook page. Spain Cats of the Botanical Garden (Gatos del Jardin Botanico) - Founded in 1995 by Mercedes Andina Ortega after she visited Torre Argentina, about twenty volunteers care for about 50 resident cats at the University of Valencia's botanical garden on Spain’s east coast. They conduct trap-neuter-return, adopting out kittens and tame cats and providing ongoing care to those who prefer living in the garden. The historic garden offers tours in English, although focusing on plant life. Mercedes has extended an invitation below to visit and meet the cats, who she says "are really amazing creatures, everyone with its own temperament. Watching them having a safe life in such a beautiful garden is quite a rewarding experience." Regular updates are provided on their Facebook page in the Spanish language, which can be quickly translated by Facebook. United States The Cat House on the Kings - This twelve-acre sanctuary in Parlier, California nestled on the Kings River was created by Lynea Lattanzio in 1990. Initially half the size, a legacy donation by Doreen Wallet allowed the purchase of neighbouring land in 2004. The cage-free environment is home to over 700 felines, about a dozen dogs and some peacocks. In 2003, an area was added for cats testing positive with FIV. They also have a foster program and a satellite adoption location in Fresno. Cats are available for adoption at very reasonable rates ($35 adult, $65 kitten, $100 two kittens). They report having saved over 30,000 cats and 7,100 dogs, as well as helping to sterilize 56,000 animals with local veterinarians who offer low cost services. Their website offers a virtual tour of the many buildings and features; in-person tours are offered daily by prior appointment. Check the website for local hotels offering special rates to sanctuary visitors. Project Bay Cat - A popular hiking trail in the San Francisco Bay Area of California was home to 174 cats and counting in 2004, when the Homeless Cat Network and writer Cimeron Morrissey became involved. They began trap-neuter-return, addressing medical needs of cats and fostering and adopting out kittens and tame cats. By April 2018, the number of feral cats dropped to about a dozen, visited regularly by volunteers. Their lovely videos offer a virtual tour; "Project Bay Cat is Love" (below) is one of my favourites. In-person tours are not offered for the safety of the cats, but a cat-lover might be able to connect with them via their Facebook page. Tenth Life Cat Rescue - Elizabeth Frick founded Tenth Life Cat Rescue in 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri to address a lack of resources for kittens and cats with special needs. The rescue now cares for over a hundred cats mostly in foster homes, with about twelve cats in a cozy storefront location. Many senior cats and those with medical challenges and other special needs are available for adoption. They offer a free behaviour help line, along with behaviour and health information provided online. One of our local cat rescuers, Dania Sheldon, says she received invaluable advice when she first started caring for Lua, who was paralyzed in a crushing injury (her story was shared earlier on our blog). If you’re in St. Louis, stop by for cat yoga in the storefront! That's a start. Enjoy your travels! - Irene Plett Topics: Cat rescue, tourism, travel, Mann Cat Sanctuary, Isle of Mann, Sue Critchley, Carole Corlett, Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, Rome, Italy, Lia Dequel, Sylvia Viviani, Cats of Su Pallosu, I Gatti di Su Pallosu, San Vero Milis, Sardinia, Andrea Atzori, Irina Albu, Cats of the Botanical Garden, Gatos del Jardin Botanico, University of Valencia, Spain, Mercedes Andina Ortega, Cat House on the Kings, Parlier, California, Lynnea Lattanzio, Doreen Wallet, Project Bay Cat, Homeless Cat Network, San Francisco Bay Area, Cimeron Morrissey, Tenth Life Cat Rescue, St. Louis, Missouri, special needs cats, Elizabeth Frick, Dania Sheldon, Lua, cat yoga, Durant Imboden One of my favourite videos is about Project Bay Cat in the San Francisco Bay Area
2 Comments
Mercedes Andani Ortega
4/23/2018 02:28:44 pm
Hello and best greetings from Valencia in Spain.
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4/23/2018 03:58:35 pm
Wonderful to hear from you, Mercedes! Thank you for your leadership in helping the cats of the botanical garden of Valencia. It's good to know that you welcome visitors. Best wishes with your ongoing work!
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