In Rome, the cat colony is a registered legal entity: this is how Italians protect cats

In Italy, even a stray cat can have a good life. Italians hold them in high regard, and there are laws in place about how to protect feral colonies.

Let’s take a look at what Italy is like from a cat’s perspective—specifically, what it’s like to be an Italian cat!

Abusing cats is a crime in Italy

In Italy, cats can roam freely wherever they please, even in areas surrounded by ancient, historical monuments. They can easily find food because Italians feed them. Anyone who harms a cat commits a crime and can be prosecuted under Law 281, registered in 1991. This isn’t anything new—similar laws existed in the Roman Empire as early as the 1st century AD. What’s most admirable to us is that local authorities are responsible for neutering the members of free-living colonies.

This positive relationship isn’t new. In the 1st century, during the Roman Empire, cats replaced weasels in homes for rodent control. These tabby creatures were considered exotic animals, and owning them was a status symbol for wealthier families. The Romans realized that cats combined usefulness with pleasure, serving as excellent companions and efficient mousers. They were so highly regarded that soldiers even took cats with them on their conquests, which contributed greatly to the global spread and popularity of cats.

Like in Hungary, cats have become ingrained in Italian idiomatic expressions, and many cat-related sayings exist in this melodic language as well. Here are a few examples:

• I gatti hanno sette spiriti: A cat has seven lives. (It seems Italian cats are slightly behind Hungarian ones in this regard.)
• Quando il gatto non c’e, il topo balla: When the cat’s away, the mice will dance. (Hungarian mice seem much more modest—they only squeak.)
• Di notte tutti i gatti sono neri: At night, all cats are black. (This is the Italian equivalent of the Hungarian saying “In the dark, all cows are black.”)

Italian cats are cared for by cat ladies

The most well-known and largest colonies live in Rome, Venice, and Sicily. They casually wander near the Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla, and the Spanish Steps, and can even be found around the excavations at Pompeii. It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of cats live in Italy, many of which are feral, though many more are part of registered colonies. In Rome, cat colonies are registered legal entities.

A large colony lives in Largo di Torre Argentina, a large open space in Rome surrounded by four Republican temples and the remains of the Theatre of Pompey. While the area is fenced off, visitors can meet some of Italy’s famous gatti (cats) in the sanctuary area or gift shop. Reports suggest it’s worth visiting Gatti della Piramide (the tomb of Caius Cestius) and I Gatti del Verano (Rome, Verano Cemetery) if you’re keen on seeing cat colonies.

These cats are not very friendly

However, don’t expect too much, as rumors say Italian cats aren’t very friendly. They aren’t aggressive but tend to keep to themselves and don’t push for interaction with humans. Local organizations, often led by a gattara (cat lady), are responsible for feeding and caring for the health of these colonies. Famous gattara include actress Anna Magnani. These caretakers are usually supported by local organizations and veterinarians, but the role is not heavily regulated or structured.

One exception to the usual aloofness was a cat named Nerina. This friendly black cat called the Colosseum home and enjoyed observing locals and tourists from a respectable distance. Sadly, due to health issues, this lovely lady passed away in 2021 at the age of 10, leaving many deeply affected. She appeared in every documentary about her home and even met famous figures like Barack Obama and Prince Harry.