Countless cats finally getting help, need a lot more By Robin Roth (Rome, Italy)  Surrounded by troupes of tourists, volunteers from Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary set up cages, donation cans, signs and balloons to attract the attention of passersby outside the Pantheon, Rome's awe-inspiring domed church. With the aim of securing a home for Tiepolo and Tristano, two tabby kittens abandoned last summer, these self-described "cat outlaws" hope to educate the public about the plight of Rome's unwanted cats. Makeshift "mobile adoptions" take place daily in the heart of Rome, in spots surrounding the Pantheon, Piazza Navona or the Spanish Steps. The ubiquitous chimes of cathedral bells mark the hours, but shelter volunteers hope passersby will do more than just stop for a second and stare. Italians are not accustomed to active animal welfare, according to Torre Argentina's founder Sylvia Viviani, so the group makes an interesting sight to passerby who stop to buy shelter merchandise and occasionally, donate some lire. The survival of the sanctuary depends on donations and adoptions, but by the end of the day, Tiepolo and Tristano have not been adopted. Fortunately, this will not result in their demise, as Torre Argentina is a no-kill shelter. Adoption is the most important issue facing the cats, so one cage can be vacated as the home for another. Countless cats make their home in Rome, pictured in postcards and around archeological remnants and ruins. But the life of Roman cats is far from idyllic, as hundreds of thousands of abandoned, afflicted and suffering cats seek shelter below busy streets in excavation areas and archaeological sites. Romans, and Italians in general, refuse to sterilize companion animals, increasing the suffering and the numbers of unwanted dogs and cats. The number of former pets abandoned in Rome increased by 15 percent last year, translating into tens of thousands of animals. As a result, Torre Argentina is calling for an international adoption alert. Torre Argentina is home to 250 cats, nestled in the heart of the Area Sacra archeological ruins, one of the city's oldest temples. Ancient history meets Hollywood here, along with global culture. Julius Caesar was murdered at Torre Argentina in 44 BC, and centuries later, the great Italian film star Anna Magnani began feeding strays on her breaks from Teatro Argentina, the theater bordering the ruins. Now, approximately 8000 people visit the sanctuary annually, including legions of international volunteers. According to the aforementioned Viviani, who founded the shelter in 1994 with partner Lia Dequel, all visitors are united by respect for animals and have worked wonders for the city's abandoned cats through fundraising, adoption and volunteerism. Besides coordinating daily adoptions, volunteers feed the outdoor cats scattered around the ruins and watch vigilantly for newly abandoned cats, who must be trapped, altered and vaccinated. Inside the underground shelter, countless cages line the earthen walls and are filled with adoptable cats, all with nametags and files full of medical history. All cats are vaccinated before adoption, and prospective parents must commit to sterilization, something Italians are loath to do. "In Italy, we think differently about animals than in the USA," confirms Alessio Castelli of the Hotel Paba in Rome. "We don't neuter domestic animals like dogs because they live at home, so you can control them, but cats are different." Castelli concedes sterilization is necessary for the city's cats, however, due to massive overpopulation. Unfortunately, not all Italians are so progressive. Not only must Torre Argentina confront the minions who refuse to sanction sterilization of Rome's hundreds of thousands of cats, but bureaucracy, too. Roman Authorities refuse to provide proper drainage for the shelter, resulting in high levels of humidity. The low electrical current permitted in the shelter does not allow for a dehumidifier or enough heat in the winter, increasing the cats' illnesses, suffering, and death. That is not the only battle the shelter faces. As Torre Argentina grows, the shelter risks the growing threat of eviction. "Roman authorities have trouble with the existence of the shelter," according to Viviani, "although we are all working for the same purpose. They restore the monuments and we take care of the cats." The shelter hopes to convince authorities of the necessity of a well-equipped shelter. "The sight of a sickly, suffering cat is unworthy of Rome's legacy," she adds. "A well fed cat on a column is a good thing for a tourist to see." Despite all the hardships, the cats are the priority. As is true in other Southern European countries, tourists have restored hope in the situation surrounding Rome's abandoned cats. The consciousness shift has aided animal welfare in Europe, but the cats in Rome still suffer. "My goal is to convince other cat caring people to do something of this sort in another part of Rome," says Viviani. "We don't want to change the world, just improve it." WHAT YOU CAN DO:  Torre Argentina urges animal lovers to send letters to Prof. La Rocca, the Roman authority in charge of the archeological site of Torre Argentina. Please ask La Rocca to approve plans for linking the shelter with the city's sewer system, so that the shelter can have proper drainage, running water, and toilet facilities. For $15 a month, you can provide food and medicine for the cat of your choice. Torre Argentina will send you a picture and update on your feline friend and their life in Rome. To meet some of the cats, check out Torre Argentina's website www.screendesign.com/romancats/torreargentina). Torreargentina@yahoo.com Additional tax deductible donations can be made in the United States through "In Defense of Animals," 131 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (Be sure and write "For Torre Argentina Cats" on the front of the check). In England, checks can be made payable to AISPA (The Anglo-Italian Society for the Protection of Animals), 136 Baker Street, London, W1M 1FH - UK. Contributions can also be sent to Silvia Viviani, Via Marco Papio 15, 00175 Roma, Italy. Tel: 0348-384-5853 from 11 am to 7 p.m. (Roman time). For more info: http://www.romancats.com