Saturday, November 18, 2006

Photo Hunt: Plush

PSHunt
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This week's theme is Plush.

Of course when I saw this week's theme I thought immediately of my two cats, a brother and sister team named Betsy (left) and Pavel (right), adopted from the Largo Argentina cat shelter in April 2003.

Largo Argentina is a blessing for cats in Rome. It is a no-kill shelter that spays/neuters and vaccinates the abandoned cats that find their way there. This is still a fairly innovative approach for Italy, and it is so incredibly important in helping to control the stray population. I've seen some places where strays run wild and the number gets out of hand, and it is a real tragedy to see the cats go hungry.

The shelter runs entirely on volunteer labor and doesn't receive any money from the city. It is located in the Roman ruins, reportedly where Julius Caesar was assassinated. A couple years ago I bought a book that they sell, that has lots of short stories about the cats that people have adopted from there, and I gave it as a Christmas present to many of the friends and family on my list. All the proceeds from their "cat store" go directly back to the shelter, for food, veterinary care, medicine, etc.

If you have a moment, I urge you to stop by their website. They are an important force for these lovable animals and they could really use your help. You can even adopt a cat long-distance!

20 comments:

Wystful1 said...

So sweet!! I'm a cat lover, so your choice of photo pleases me---cats rule!

(Beautiful photo of Rome also--below your Saturday photo!!)

Happy weekend.
Mine's posted. Hope you can come visit

Anonymous said...

Seems we had the same idea.

Anonymous said...

They're soooo cute - one holding the other's paw...

Mine's up too :)

Anonymous said...

I adopt all my cats from the shelter! Wonderful pair you have! Very sweet!
My photo is up. Happy Saturday!

Anonymous said...

Betsy looks just like my cat, who I also adopted from a shelter. Very cute pair :)

Philosophical Karen said...

Oh, I've read somewhere about the cat problem in Rome. Isn't it illegal to neuter them or something (I'm not sure exactly what I read)? It's so good when people rescue animals who would otherwise have a very hard life.

MaR said...

Cute pair! happy saturday :)

Anonymous said...

Oh.. that is so sweet. It made me smile. And how lucky they were you rescued them!

Stop by and visit me if you get a chance.
Blessings,
Amy Beth <><

Anonymous said...

Adorable pair! Betsy is the spitting image of the first cat I ever had that was officially "mine" (all other's have been co-owned or just lovingly shared residence with me ;).

Wonderful to hear about Largo Argentina! Your cat's were truly blessed to have been rescued by the shelter and the adopted by you.

Also very cute that you adopted a brother and sister pair!


Jenny

Anonymous said...

Oh, I just love kitties!! Great shot!

Have a good weekend!

Jane said...

Sweet! My cats don't gt along that wwell. They do look plush!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful cats! It's wonderful that they are such buddies.

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful cats. I am glad that you adopted them from the shelter. We always end up with "throw away" dogs at our house.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Pamela said...

Will definitely check out the cat shelters website! How thoughtful! Love how your two kitty's are laying with their paws all intertwined like that...just precious! :)

Unknown said...

Those cats look so adorable. I'm a cat person myself and can't wait for the day I can get a cat of my own again.

Nicki said...

Absolutely beautiful cats! :)

Anonymous said...

very plush looking kittys :)
thanks for visiting us.

Carmen said...

i almost posted my cat, but he gets too much blog time already. :) Give 'em a chin scratch for me.

Unknown said...

your cats are so adorable!!! what a great story behind them too. I'm glad you support them!

FinnyKnits said...

Kitties! I miss you!

And I am so glad we got to go by the sactuary while I was there last time. That is a great place and the people are incredible. I couldn't believe that they remembered you, both cats and their names and their health history.

Plus, I love my cat book :)