Inside Torre Argentina

The vacation has been over for a fortnight and it has been so easy to slip back into the daily routine - almost TOO easy. Life still goes on here in Leeds, as life will be going on in Torre Argentina. I said I'd post some more photo's and feel bad I haven;t posted anymore sooner, so here ya go.

These shots from the 'nursery'. As you can see there are cages down the left side of the room and on the back wall. The nursery is basiclly a quaranetine area where cats recouperate following an operation and/or wait for their 2nd innoculation before either being returned to the colony that came from, or released into the grounds. Once recovered, the cats are let out of the cages to 'roam' the room and the to get them used to being here and to the other cats. if they are released into the grounds too soon they are just as likely to run up the steps and out onto the road to try and find their way home.This way we hope they will learn they are safe, there's plenty of food, and hopefully want to stay. The area is also a permanent home for some of the deaf and blund cats, who if they did go on the road would be lost/injured for sure.

This area is open to visitors and ALOT of visitors are only to happy to come in and pet/play with the cats. There is a kind of double-door air-lock osrt of enrty so you shut a door behind you before going into the room, as some of the guys REALLY want to get out!. The children especially like this room, the cats are all friendly, being ex-domestic house pets, and just lap up the company.

In terms of volunteer work, we regular check the food/water in the cages and clean the litter trays, and there are more food and litter trays along the righthand wall for the cats running about. We also play with the cats when it is quiet, especially some of the more nervous cats or the ones in cages recoupertaing - they need love and attention as much as the other guys - this is one of our volunteers right here!

This last shot is of the entrance/mani visitor area after the sanctuary has closed to visitors, just before going home. The cats flock back in once the visitors are gone and look for food, because they know the food bowls will be full and there won't be anyone wandering around aside from volunteers. It's amazing to see all the cats just come in from the ruins and pretty much ALL get on. yes, there is the odd hiss and growl, but for the main it's pretty peaceful. This is a side visitors don;t see, but as volunteers we are honoured to be a part of.