Prrrrrty Cats Around the World
The City of Athens manages a program that works to protect the stray animals of the city. Cats and dogs are collected, sterilized, treated medically, tagged, vaccinated, and put up for adoption. Those who aren’t adopted get released back onto the streets.Β
At first I was feeling sad about the sheer number of seemingly neglected animals in the streets. But I noticed people feeding and caring for a lot of them. And so I thought, well, it’s not just a choice between adoption or euthanasia that these animals have to live or die with. If they don’t get adopted, they still get to live! And they have their freedom.
Admittedly, Itβs a very different way of doing things from what weβre used to in the United States, and it reminds me that seeing those differences in how to approach day-to-day issues is what travel is all about.
That said, I’ve got way too many pics of Greek cats and dogs.
So I’m only including a few of them here, but I’m contemplating doing a separate future post on the cats and dogs of Greece. What do ya think about that?
Italian Cats
When you walk in a dream but you know you’re not dreaming, signore —
From Como to Roma, fromΒ Venezia to the Amalfi Coast, Italy’s got prrrrrty cats too!
And if you happen to find yourself in Venice anytime soon, I recommend checking out theΒ Libreria Acqua Alta — literally, the high-water bookstore.
By the way, Venice floods sometimes, did ya know? So Libreria Acqua Alta has come up withΒ creative ways of protecting their booksΒ from rising waters — by placing them in basins, bathtubs, and even using a large gondola as a bookshelf. Their unique dΓ©cor, plus all those books to browse, is reason enough for a visit.Β
So the fact that kitties also frequent the bookstore? Well that’s just the catnip on the cake!
Now let’s hop on our Vespa and head south, to Roma!
Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary in Rome
Largo di Torre Argentina is a large square with remains of four Roman Republican temples as well as the Theatre of Pompey. Also, it’s popular amongst theΒ gatti di Roma — the cats of Rome.
Largo di Torre Argentina isn’t just known for its cats, though. It’s famous for another reason.
It’s believed to be the site where Julius Caesar was assassinated — aka where he was stabbed 23 times.
NowΒ Largo di Torre Argentina is home to the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary — a great spot to visit if you’re a cat enthusiast, like me!
Just don’t expect the cats to actually care that you’re there to see them!
Moroccan cats up next! Click page three to continue! π»
Cat-butt magnets for cat enthusiasts!
Goodness! This is too adorable. I remember being deployed to Cyprus (Air Force) and seeing all the cats roaming the streets there. No one seemed to mind! I made a few friends near where we were stationed… it was nice to have the companionship π Thanks for the post – Toki
Thanks, Toki! I’ve never been to Cyprus! Would like to check it out sometime! And meet some of their kitties! π
I am in love with this post and how! Adorable title and I love the pictures. π
i luv the cute lil caption u have left…i imagined cat saying it as i was reading it…so cute these cats are….thanks for introducing us to lil bundle of joys
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I have to admit I’m not a cat person at all (but I love dogs), but I’m sure for anybody who’s into cat’s they would love this post – Actually there is a couple of people I know that love cats, I’m passing this post onto them, I know it will make them feel quite fuzzy haha. I do love your comment about giving yourself a talking to βStop paparazzi-stalking cats, ya weirdo!β – Not with cats but I would be the same with things I love haha
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Haha, your comment brought a smile to my face! And maybe you’ll become a cat person one day! π But don’t worry, I’ll understand if you don’t. Thank you for sharing the post with your cat-loving friends! I hope it gives them warm and fuzzy feelings! π π
I’m sure ten countries on four continents still constitutes as “around the world” hahaa. I think the French cat is my favorite! Reminds me of the one my French host family had!! You should check out Tokyo’s cat cafes. I’m sure you’d love them!!
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I am a cat person, always loved them. These photos are stunning by the way, that first photo with the blue walls is my favorite. I saved this to my StumbleUpon, hopefully many others can enjoy the photos as well.
This brings me so much joy. Great photos, too. I tweeted it π
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Is the top pic of the cat taken in Chefchaouen? I’m not a cat lover but these do look adorable! I think the cats in Greece might freak me out with the number of stray cats. We spotted a few cats from out last trip at Ait Benhaddou eyeing up my lunch! ; )
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I love cats! I’ll hopefully get to see more cats next time I go away!
I’m not a cat person at all but I loved this post! I had to look twice to see the French cat hiding in the flower pot. The English cats do look posh, and very relaxed too!
My only regret is we cannot hear their accent. Seriously cute pics here!
I’ve got a couple of friends who will love seeing your piccies. I remember how many stray cats there were in both Greece and Spain, I still can remember asking my mum if I could rescue them!!!
Thanks, Kate! Yeah, I wanted to rescue a few myself! The temptation was real! π
Oh I love Austrian Cat the best! But I do love the backdrop of symmetrical residential street of Vicarβs Close Cat ππ Such a cool idea to document these from your trips around the world!
What about the Istanbul, Moroccan, and California cats?! ππ»πΊ Thanks for stopping by, Hannah!
Stefanie- I love your photography!
Thank you so much, Dusanka! [Insert blushing smiley face here!] π π
There’s a Facebook group for the Cats of Reykjavik, Iceland! Tons of cats walk the streets there, but none are strays – they are just let out by their owners to greet the tourists. I managed to meet this little guy (https://tinyurl.com/icelandcat) begging to come inside during a snowstorm in February 2015. Two years later, I visited Iceland again and guess who I run into (https://imgur.com/a/swst7)? A little worse for the wear, looks to have had a recent surgery and a bit of a haircut, but still begging at the same red door.
Hi Colin! π Wow, that is so neat to hear! Now I’ve got to go to Iceland to check out the cats! And what are the chances you’d run into the same cat twice! What a cutie! (Although the haircut is a little unfortunate in the second pic! Lol)
I take cat pics every where I go! I wish I could post some of them here. Have great pics from Italy, Switzerland, Iceland, Scotland, just to name a few! Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad I’m not the only one obsessed with taking cat pics! Looks like I’m in good company! Thanks for stopping by, Brenda! π π
Hello Stephanie,
I Have forwarded this post to a bunch of the cat lovers here at Mud Bay and I am sure this will be a tremendously big hit with everyone. Great post per usual!!π»π»π»π»
Awe, thanks so much, Eric! That’s so nice! π»π»π»