Wild Kitties Litter Rome

These modern felines are reportedly the descendants of cats brought to Rome during the reign of Cleopatra. The cat was sacred to the Egyptians, so they were allowed to proliferate.

They are fiercely independent and seem to prosper on the rodents of Rome. Moreover, legions of elderly women have dedicated themselves to feeding one or more groups of cats. In the late afternoon, all over the city, you'll see women carrying plastic bags loaded with pasta to feed the cats. They spread the noodles in dishes they bring and back off, watching their friends dine.

The city of Rome also keeps an eye on its four-legged citizens. In recent years, a highly infectious disease was detected among them. To prohibit its spread to domestic animals, thousands of cats were eliminated. But the remaining population looks healthy and is beginning to do what stray cats do best - reproduce.

Although the kittens are cute, tourists need to remember that these are essentially wild cats. Generally they won't approach humans, and they can be vicious if cornered.