I'm glad to know my family is not the only one out there who are suckers for stray cats. My husband riducules my youngest son and me continually on trips because we are always "adopting" strays. Usually my son will attract one or two at whatever place we are staying--in Spain, one even came inside and got on his bed (not something I encourage as you don't know how those animals are healthwise).

I think it's great you want to help a stray, and I know this wasn't your question, but I have to agree with Deloris. There are SO MANY homeless cats in the US - please consider going to an animal shelter and adopting one! I am sure that if you visit a few shelters or attend adoption shows, sooner or later you will bond with one of those cats just like you did in Italy.<BR><BR>I volunteer for an animal welfare organization, and believe me, there are so many wonderful, lovable, adorable cats that would thrive in a good home (I have 2 myself). <BR><BR>Karen

When I was in Italy for a month I missed my cat terribly, and was plesantly surprised at all of the strays in Venice who wanted to befriend me. It almost seemed as though they belonged to the city or something - everyone was friendly to them and would give them morsels out if their grocery bags!

I believe I was the one who related my daughter's experience in bringing home a stray dog from Poland. However, she had more than a year to bond with this dog and the two became inseparble. All that was needed was a certificate from a Polish veterinarian that all his shots were up to date and that he was in good health. Actually, &quot;Dexter&quot; got through immigration with less hassle than the other Poles on the flight! One consideration - Domestic flights will not transport animals during the summer months unless under the seat in front of you. My daughter rented a car to transport the dog from Chicago to Florida. Expensive, but well worth it as &quot;Dexter&quot; is a true delight.

Good ideas from everyone!<BR>Just remember that a fat cat is a fed cat, and maybe a pregnant cat! A bony and sick cat is another issue and getting bit on a knuckel by any animal can be a very dangerous issue that will involve infection and possible hospitalizaion. Then there are &quot;pets&quot; vs &quot;working farm cats.&quot; <BR>The latter are internationally expected to fend for themselves and get vermin (rats!) and the locals will think you are loco to try to make them your little pussy cat! Know before you go!<BR>And remember the critters at home that <BR>really need your help!!!<BR>Spoken from a crazed animal addict!!!

I know how it is to get attached to an animal on vacation, I still remember the little one eyed dog who followed me all over the back streets of Pompeii. He obviously had been a pet at one time and wanted to be loved so much, I wonder what happened to him.<BR><BR>Another little animal is the little old fat dog who hangs out on Piazza Tasso in Sorrento. I saw him on one trip dodging the traffic and on the next trip I watched as a shopkeeper shepherded him across the street to use a tree.<BR><BR>I guess you have to be an animal lover to let these things get to you.

Personally I wouldn't know anything about adopting needy cats.<BR><BR>I only have three of them.<BR><BR>One from the spca (pregnant at six months).<BR>Second from a home where the owner died three days previous to discovery. (he was a little tricky at first)<BR>The latest came to us at five weeks old and was immediatly adopted by number two and washed hourly.<BR><BR>I cannot walk the streets anywhere without cats running out to greet me.

Talking of cat mad...I have four cats of my own (three were rescued). I am looking after two neighbours cats at the moment. For the Cats Protection League, I am looking after and trying to socialise two beautiful kittens (one tabby one grey), who were born wild after mum was kicked out of her home. I have another elderly old lady in my cat pen, on medication, waiting for a loving home via the Cats Protection. <BR><BR>Whew!! I think my nickname on here should have been Catwoman ;O)

Was the cat really a stray? There's a nice English children's story book called &quot;Six-dinner Sid&quot;. The hero &quot;belongs&quot; to six families and gets red at each house. Cats are pretty good at spotting a human softy.<BR>It's far less common in the UK and the rest of Europe for cats to be kept indoors. A cat strolling around outside may well be somebody's pet.

Sylvia- I am in the Cats Protection. What we do when a cat is found is scan it for a microchip and advertise a 'lost cat'. Usually fruitless. Its normally pretty obvious they have been left to fend for themselves, with tics, fleas, signs of fighting etc. etc.<BR><BR> I often keep the older cats for many months, as they are left behind because most people want a kitten. The mum with kittens was wild herself, very nervous with no signs of socialisation or domesticity. The kittens in my care are coming on very well and will sit on my lap and purr!<BR><BR>The elderly cat was found apparently dumped in the woods at the top of a lane, was left out in the snow over winter until some kindly people (who had been feeding her biscuits) contacted us. No one has contacted us about her, despite advertising. She has kidney disease and thyroid problems and wouldnt have lasted another month whilst she was stray without medication etc. She has warmth, shelter, love food and attention now! Just what the doctor ordered ;O)<BR><BR>I can't understand why people do the things they do.....

A thread I can really relate to. I did bring a cat home from a trip. It wasn't Europe it was Winterset Iowa. I was such a fan of the book and movie of the same name, Bridges of Madison County that I decided to go see where all of this took place.<BR><BR>I was at the infamous Roseman Bridge where I saw a little kitten just huddled in the cornfields. To make a long story short I brought him home on the plane. I thought if his carrier fit under the seat in front of me that was all that mattered. I didn't know I had to make arrangements with the airlines. I found out all of this later, but I was lucky no one questioned me when I boarded the plane with the kitten. I was just lucky.<BR><BR>He was so sick for 2 months but the patience and love paid off. He's a wonderful cat. Not only that he was written up in the Madisonian Newspaper. 1/2 page with his picture. He was a local celebrity.<BR><BR>The last thing in the world I needed was another cat but how could I have left him behind. If you're wondering what his name is, it's Madison.

Madison - thats a lovely story! I see your kitten's name has been honoured in your nickname too!

EnglishOne.<BR>Our current cat now 15 years old was found by us on our compost heap when she was a tiny kitten. She was terrified of humans and we later found went frantic with terror when she heard water running. We think that somebody must have tried to drown her. It took ages for her to allow us even to touch her but she is purring beside me as I'm typing this.

English One - Thank you for the kind remarks.

Madison/sylvia, great to see that we all care, eh :O)