Neva

Does anyone know who looks after the dog pack that roams through the Pompeii ruins? All of the pups seem well-socialized and reasonably well-fed. It's such a kick to have a canine escort while trolling through the ancient streets. I offered one part of my panini: He licked it politely, but I guess salami wasn't his cup of tea. I hope these sweet dogs are in fact living okay lives, or I'm going to have to go on a fund-raising spree.

Thyra

You might try going to the Bestfriends website, since they have information on a group of women who look after the feral cats on Palatine hill in Rome. Either someone at BestFriends or the Roman cat helpers might have an answer for you. www.bestfriends.com

sandi

I'm sure you're joking...but when my we toured Pompeii a couple of weeks ago, my son asked the guide about all the dogs. She indicated that just before the gates close, all the dogs leave and then return in the morning with the tourist rush. I'm sure they stay well fed by all the visitors.

Steve

Our guide said that the dogs were neutered the local government or civic organization and fed/cared for by the same group.

Joe

Thanks for this post and the Bestfriends website. We were in Rome and Athens in October (missed Pompeii because of bad weather) and were fascinated by the cats in the first and the dogs in the second. In Athens we stayed at the Intercontinental (classier than our usual hotels but part of a cruise package) and dogs slept on the red carpet in front of the hotel. There were dozens of them at the Acropolis - - all well behaved and healthy looking. It was great to see.

Thyra

Joe, I am glad that the animals you saw in Athens looked well fed and healthy. I would be very interested to know if there was some kind of group that was looking after the feral animal population in Greece. We were just there in October and the only thing that shocked and saddend me was the amount of feral dogs and cats roaming the streets and alley's, of Athens and the islands as well. I saw cats with no eyes or legs, dogs with mange and baby kittens shivering in the cold. I did see many private citizens feeding these poor creatures. But I would love to send a donation to any group that was actively involved in helping these animals.

Neva

Thanks for all the responses. I'll check out the BestFriends Web site -- I also noticed all the cats around the Forum, and they seemed just as amiable and happy as the Pompeii pups. They should all be licensed as tour guides... maybe we could even draft the Venice pigeons into service.

Thyra

I may be telling you something you already know, but our tour guide in Rome said that legend has it that the first cats in Rome were a gift from Cleopatra to Julius Cesare who was horribly alergic to them and threw them into the street, where they have remained ever since. The remarkable women who look after them, have a full spay neuter release program and try to keep the population healthy.

howard

The dogs we saw in Pompeii last November in no way match the descriptions posted here! They acted like a pack of wild dogs when we encountered them near the amphitheater. Even our experienced guide was afraid to walk anywhere near them. And, believe me, the thought of feeding them was the last thing on our minds!

Walter

In Rome if you visit the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius & the Protestant Cemetery (Keats, Shelley, etc) which is right outside Metro stop Piramide. At the base of the Pyramid (below St. level & fenced off) there is a Roman humane-type society (perhaps the one Thyra mentioned) which takes care of the cats there and in other areas of Rome. Posted on the fence they have their mission statement (Italian, English, ?) and a donation box if you wish to help. Regards, Walter

Diane

When we were in Pompeii this year, the dogs followed us around and seemed desperate for human attention. When the guide stopped to talk, the dogs would lie down in the middle of the tour group and wait until we moved. They were very friendly but I still wouldn't let my daughter pet them.

gb

Our good friends in Pompei told us that the dogs are cared for while puppies, but when they grow, the people tired of them, and kick them out. No one really cares for them, and they are ignored and tolerated. My daughters were really saddened by the story, and couldn't understand there wasn't an equivalent of the Dumb Friends League in Italy. the dogs we saw in June did not look good to me. There were several fights while we were in the ruins. But, apparently. they aren't permited to euthanized them.

Neva

Uh-oh... it's starting to sound like I'll have to return to Italy and found a Friends of Pompeiian Dogs society. One of the puppies actually tried to crawl into my bag, so I picked him up and carried him awhile. Should have smuggled him home with me.