Travel memory - Venetian cats!

When I was with Marco on my photo walk we covered quite a few topics.  To set up this story I must delve deeply into my memory of events from my very distant past (over 30 years ago!)...

Flashing back to 1981 when I was in Venice with my good friend from high school Donna (a different Donna from the one on this recent Rick Steves' tour), there were cats all over Venice lounging and draped over many of its bridges.  Quite the sight as you may imagine.  However, it wasn't surprising since, given Venice's unique character and position as a sea port, it has quite a rodent problem, in particular rats. (YUCK!) Venetian cats had been famous to keep this problem in check.

I had never forgotten, so pleasenow flash forward (back?) to 2012 when I was in Venice with my good friend from university, Peni.   I had told her about all these 'Venetian cats".  However, when we arrived, although an odd one was spotted here and there, in essence, there were almost none about.  I recall that Peni (a strong animal lover and advocate) said to me (in a slightly accusatory tone), "Where are all these Venetian cats you told me about?"

So now let's flash to May 2014 (flash back? flash forward? - ah, who cares....) and my walk with Marco...

He shared that his wife is a vet and that she is currently involved in an interesting Venetian city project...

He said all the feral cats in Venice in the past were becoming a huge problem and that something had to be done about them.  He said he agreed with this decision but "like always Venice did it wrong". 

Venice got rid of all its stray cats and passed a law that all cats have to be kept indoors and/or contained within its private courtyards.  However, this resulted in a huge increase in the city's rat population. So now what to do?

Marco's wife is involved in a project that is introducing feral cats back into the city - in a very controlled manner, including ensuring they are fixed.  As we walked Marco pointed out some stray cat shelters that have been set up for them.

Cool.

In the meantime, here are a few other pictures, including one of Marco (I know you were interested).

The shop - Alta Acqua Libreria -we are in (look it up in tripadvisor!) is absolutely bizarre -  everywhere there are books strewn about and other "stuff" piled up.  There was even a staircase of books against a wall. I climbed up it to look over to see a canal.  If you are worried whether you are a hoarder, then compare yourself and your place against this one! (Note:  the man with the cat is not Marco.  He is the owner of the shop.  Marco appears a little further on.)

Given that I am involved in Occupational Health and Safety, love this Venetian signage for the Emergency Fire Exit!