Cats of Rome

by Traer Scott

From the award-winning author of Finding Home and Rescue Cats: a dazzling collection of photographs of cats throughout the iconic city of Rome.

Whether you are a cat lover, armchair traveler, or photography buff, Traer Scott’s Cats of Rome will entice you into this ancient city that is home to more than 300,000 cats. Of these, at least one-third are thought to be feral. As Roman cats are protected by law, they have the right to live where they choose in architectural ruins, parks, and neighborhoods throughout the city.

In seventy-five brilliant color photographs, Rome’s feline denizens are shown as they live naturally among stunning, classical backdrops, with visual whispers of the gattaras—the often nameless and plentiful women of Rome who volunteer to care for the feral colonies. These beautiful cats are safe, cared for, and magnificent, and this keepsake volume is perfect for anyone who has visited Rome or dreams of doing so.

CELEBRATED Traer Scott, award-winning photographer and animal welfare activist, turned her lens on the cats of Rome as she explored the Eternal City and sought out evidence of its estimated four thousand feral cat colonies. Through her practiced lens, these majestic felines and their breathtaking surroundings—from the Colosseum to lush cemeteries to the ruins of Porta Magica—create an irresistible travelogue for cat lovers and travel enthusiasts alike. Scott’s bestselling animal photography books include Forever Home, Radiant, and Shelter Dogs.

CAT COFFEE TABLE Several children’s books feature the wondrous cats of Rome, but this is the first photography book to showcase the beloved cat sanctuaries of this historic and uniquely beautiful European city.

ITALIAN Each chapter showcases one of Rome’s vibrant cat colonies, with introductory text about the location, a brief bit of history, and an overview of the cat population’s roots within it. From ancient to modern Rome, this artful book offers a visual journey through a mesmerizing place.

Perfect lovers and collectors of cat photographyTravelers and armchair travelersFans of Italian culture, history, and architectureReaders who enjoy nature, animal, and travel coffee table books

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Travel, Cats

144 pages, Hardcover

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Traer Scott is an award winning fine art and commercial photographer and author of five books. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Life, Vogue, People, O and dozens of other national and international publications. She was the recipient of the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts 2010 Photography Fellowship Grant and the 2008 Helen Woodward Humane Award for animal welfare activism. Recent exhibitions of her work have been held at Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, the Shanghai Photographic Arts Festival, the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel and the Irene Carlson Gallery. Traer lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband, daughter and pit bull.

Reviews

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply a must read for cat lovers and those with an interest in historical architecture. I learned a great deal about Rome's protected cat population and the generous souls who care for them. The lovely pictures kept me engaged throughout the night; I didn't want to put this down.

This will make a fantastic learning resource and a delightful coffee table book. The pages are filled with interesting topics for discussion and appealing photography.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy. All opinions are my own.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really endearing! I loved seeing all the pictures of Rome and the cats are cute. This is divided into different sections each featuring a new location and each chapter intro tells the history of the location. The photos are all beautiful. This was really enjoyable and I would recommend it to animal lovers! Special Thank You to Traer Scott, Chronicle Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've long been fascinated about the over 300,000 feral cats that roam Rome. The author speaks to some of their volunteer caretakers, called. Le Gattere, and maps the locations of many of these colonies. It's an interesting look beyond the tourist take.

The true glory in this book is the photography. The author captures these fabulous felines in all manner of spots in Rome, frolicking in the ruins, stalking cemeteries, sunning themselves in courtyards, etc. If you enjoy cats and photography as much as I do, you'll dig this book.

I appreciate the advanced copy from NetGalley and Chronicle Books | Princeton Architectural Press.

[KDub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short recipe for a great book: Cats? Check. Italy? Check. 

Cats of Rome is a photo-heavy coffee table book that chronicles the many feral cat colonies in Rome, Italy and the gattari (cat ladies) who take care of them. Descriptions of where you can find said cats, along with a map and multiple pictures are included. The author also starts the book with a background story of how she discovered the many cats and her perseverance in photographing them. What a cool job. 

I'm pretty bummed I didn't know about all of this when I was in Rome, but now I have another excuse to head back. 

Recommended for cat and travel lovers. 

Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the start, this book shows you some beautiful pictures and a historical background of the Cats of Rome. I've learned some cool things about these cute little buddies from each chapter and its associated location, and the pictures are excellent. I was thoroughly intrigued by each new sight described, demonstrating Traer Scott's strong narrative skill. Amazing read.

This was an advanced reader copy granted via NetGalley, and the final copy may differ from that of my review if the author or publisher deems it necessary. Thank you to Princeton Architectural Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review

When I die, bury me in Rome, and plant catnip on my grave so that some of the over 4,000 cat colonies in that city can come visit and roll all over my final resting place.

I have no idea where I heard the term gattara before, it was certainly on social media and my brain immediately circled around it, squeezing it tightly like a cat curled around a mouse toy. An Italian woman who feeds alley cats. A cat woman.

As a woman of a certain age with a last name that has 9 letters and ends in a vowel, someone please regularly remind me that I am absolutely a gattara and proud. of. it.

This book is not fancy, nor is it pretentious. This is what it is. A love letter from a woman who knew of the cat colonies and hunted for them. Who got on the ground and crawled in the crevices and found as many furry babies as she could, sweet and grumpy, old and young, limber and loaf.

The pictures aren't ahhhht. They're cat photos, the kind of photos I live for most. Cats glaring, cats ignoring, photos where I am 1,000% sure there IS NO CAT THERE but having cats myself, I know they're hiding in the background.

Get me to Rome, and put catnip in my pockets. I need to meet these cats, promptly.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC | Exactly what I needed | I get it, times are tough and it may be hard to justify the expense of a coffee table book of cat photography. But go with me on this: times are tough and it's the gentle and the kind and the feline that will make them easier to manage. In the middle of all that's always going on anymore, it can only help to have at hand the opportunity to read about the women who volunteer throughout Rome to feed and care for feral cat colonies. When anxiety or stress raise their heads, why not reach for well-composed photographs of content cats? It is a bit difficult to fully review the book, because the necessary protective watermark is smack dab in the middle of most of the images. However, the layout, the presentation, the production, and the text are all excellent, and the photography where visible is quality.

Advanced Reader's Copy provided free by the publisher, which did not impact my review.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Amid the explosive human presence in Rome there is a significant yet largely hidden animal presence: tens of thousands of feral cats who are protected by law and live quietly in architectural ruins, parks, and neighborhoods around Rome. So quietly, in fact, that if you’re not looking for them, you probably won’t see a single cat while you’re there.”

If you love cats or animals in general or Rome or both, this book will capture your attention and hold it! Such a beautiful piece of history that is certain to make you want to know more. I WANT THIS BOOK!

The cats are in a capture and release program. There are people certified to care for the colonies. The city is involved with their cats care and provide the dry food for the cat caregivers to distribute. The caregivers will supplement the food with some wet if need. I am in such awe of how the people take care of the animals in their city with such compassion. This was such an interesting and informative read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to confess that I was more interested in this book for the scenes of Rome than I was for the cats, but it's a well account of both brief backgrounds of the sites where the cats were photographed and the photos of the cats themselves. I enjoyed the historical background on the feral cats in Rome--I confess I'd heard about the cat colonies but had never seen a cat in Rome. The author's difficulty in tracking down the elusive cats at some of these sites explains why.

This is a beautiful book that lovers of cats and Rome will enjoy. #CatsofRome #NetGalley

[Christine Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is singing! What a beautiful book, I love it so much! Its my second one from Traer Scott and - just like ‘Rescue Cats’ - this one too is beyond amazing. The author proves again that she is an advocate for animal welfare and a compassionate photographer. The book is a must for everyone who takes care of a feral colony, engages in TNR (Trap Neuter Release) and loves traveling, like me. Apart from the stories and photos of the Cats of Rome, there is enough historical information to pick your interest. The description of the individual colony locations are remarkable, and the photos are superb. These are all feral cats, some might be a little rough looking, but all are beautiful in the eye of every cat lover. The photos are natural in the cats’ habitats, not staged which I love. The introduction is written so wonderfully, it made my heart melt. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the many Roman feral cat colonies with photos from that area. Some show the gracious volunteers - called gattaras - who feed the cats day in and day out. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude knowing that these cats are protected by law and well cared for. I’ve been to Rome many years ago but this book makes me long for another trip just for the cats’ sake and especially to meet Augusto, one of the only two remaining cats in the Colosseo. I adore this author/photographer and cannot wait for publication day (4/22/2025) to run and pick up my own physical copy of the book. This is definitely a book I want to have on my coffee table.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Chronicle Books/Princeton Architectural Press and especially Miss Traer Scott for gifting me an advance copy. I am truly honored and immensely enjoyed the book. The above is it my honest review and own opinion.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect coffee table book for any space!

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Cats of Rome by Traer Scott starts off with a lovely introduction providing background to the lovely felines inhabiting Rome. Traer addresses the phenomenon of how once the streets were flooded with these fury friends, now typically spotted as photos on bags and mugs. This depiction portrays the gruesome reality of sterilization and removal of these cats through history, now profiting of their idea.

Moving through the introduction, the reader learns more about the numerous feline colonies that inhabit Rome and the ‘gattaras’, the female volunteers caring for these feral felines. These women go above and beyond to care for them, often commuting far distances to ensure they are fed and loved.

With the conclusion of the introduction, readers dive into Traer Scott’s photography of these felines at various monuments and stunning locations, providing brief background for each.

This book is a lovely tribune to the feral residents who should be protected at all costs.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I thought this would just be a fun coffee table book. That would have been just fine, but this brought so much more to the table (pardon my pun). It was fascinating. The introduction reads like a beautiful essay detailing the history of the cats the wander the city and this photographer's journey to spot them. Wonderful photojournalism. I had no idea there were thousands of colonies of feral cats living in Rome and that they are federally protected. The stories of the gattaras, the compassionate women who feed the cats, were equally incredible.

The photos themself are stunning. The cats are beautiful, these "guardians of the Eternal City." A magical way to see the city.

This is the perfect gift for cat and history lovers. Thoughtfully composed, I felt the photographer/author's deep respect for the city and for the cats.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced digital copy. This is set for publication on Apr 22, 2025.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I please get one of these for every major city. I love this so much. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of the physical book. The book is filled with cat photos that are grouped by monuments. Each one gives you a brief description of the site and then lots of photos of cats. This is two of my favorite things in one book; history and cats.

5 stars

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. The photos of the various cats were gorgeous! I like how the author patiently waits to spot the cats to get photos. It’s cool that there are people that feed the various cats located all over Rome.

[Read Sip Snack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book might seem, at first glance, to be just an excuse to coo over Italian felines. And it totally is. But it is also a truly interesting look at an aspect of Rome and Roman culture that many people may have no knowledge of, or have only heard of it in passing. I ad no idea that the Cats of Rome were a thing. Like a real, integral part of Rome and its culture. They are not just recognized on souvenirs, but are living in colonies that are recognized and subsidized by the government.
It makes sense, really, and I enjoyed the way the author talked about her search for the cats and their caretakers. I appreciated the way that the chapters are broken up according to the colonies' locations, as each one has specific characteristics and covers a very specific area. The pictures are a brilliant mix of cute cats in historically amazing locations. If I ever get to visit Rome, I will now be looking to see these cats, who have more access to amazing historical and archaeological sites than almost any human. Especially the last two Coliseum cats - Tigretta and Augusto.
If you are a cat lover, or interested in a new look at Rome, I'd definitely recommend picking up this book. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read the book.

[ɾɑ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cats of Rome is a visually arresting ode to the feline wanderers of the Eternal City. From lounging in ruins to surveying ancient columns like the living room tigers they are, these cats exude a quiet majesty that feels both timeless and wild. The gothic undertones of the backdrops—crumbling stone, ivy-cloaked walls, and shadowed alleys—give the book a dreamy, slightly haunted charm. It’s a perfect coffee table addition for any cat lover, especially those who appreciate a bit of mood with their meow.

Some images felt slightly blurry, which was a shame, as I’d hang several of these shots on my walls if I could get my hands on high-resolution versions. Still, the way the photographer captured the untamed glances of these cats, set against Rome’s ancient decay, more than made up for the technical imperfections.

A special thanks to NetGalley for offering the reading option via Thorium—hands down a much smoother PDF experience than Adobe Acrobat.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this charming 144-page book, award-winning animal photographer Traer Scott shares photographs of eight of the feral cat colonies of Rome. I loved learning about Rome’s love affair with cats. In 1991, the Italian Parliament passed Law 281, which prohibits the harm or forcible relocation of cats, gives cats the right to be fed, and mandates that local authorities provide free neutering. Scott discusses the culture of gattare, the cat ladies who volunteer to care for the various feral cat colonies.

I enjoyed both the text and the photographs of the cats, taken in various historic sites around Rome. I was surprised at how plump many of the cats are; you can see that the gattare keep them well fed.

This book would make a wonderful gift for any cat lover or anyone interested in Roman culture.

Thanks to Princeton Architectural Press for providing me with an electronic ARC through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

[Lyndsey Bookish Nature · Rating 3 out of 5]

~~~ I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~~~

I love cats and have visited Rome, Italy. Many European cities have large colonies of cats including Athens, Patmos Island, and Capri (just to name a few I've visited) and I remember seeing the bowls people leave out on their porches for the feral cats.
Cats of Rome is interesting. It contains some nice history and information about the protected cats of Italy- with lots of photos of cats. The stories about the gattaras is kind of cool. However, it is not that interesting to give it more than 3 stars. The photographs and the writing both seem amateurish. I guess this book would be cool to have on display in a veterinarian waiting room or something, but other than that, I don't think it's very cool or worthwhile.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received digital access from NetGalley and the publisher, Chronicle Books | Princeton Architectural Press, to review this before publication. However, the only option to access it was on my phone via the NetGalley Shelf App, which made it difficult to read. They want people to review an architectural book, a coffee table book, on their phone??? Okay...

The book is 146 pages long and contains many color photos of cats in various settings. Disappointingly, many of the photos weren't that great of either the cats or the architecture.

The introduction contains the most text. There's some text at the beginning of each of the eight chapters. There are pretty maps of Rome at the beginning of each chapter to let you know which area you are about to see.

Who is this for? People who love cats and Rome. It's definitely a coffee table book. It's very Chronicleish, (IYKYK).

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love cats and you love travel, then you will love this book. It is a nice visual stroll through the various streets of Rome where you will encounter not only beautiful scenery and landmarks, but many glimpses of the feral cats that roam the streets. There are eight specific sites that are covered with a short blurb regarding the historical significance and then many cameos of cats in those areas. I did not realize there were so many colonies of feral cats and appreciated the insights on the people who help care for them. I love that cats are cats, no matter where they may be found. Whether they are walking proud, indifferent, or being a little silly, it is fun to see them in a setting where I would not expect them to be found.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cats of Rome is a cute book. I had no idea there were so many stray cat colonies in Rome so it was informative. The photography is okay and what has let me down a bit; there are several great photos but most of them leave something to be desired, usually in the way of composition. I looked up this photographer and her other photos are stunning so this could be an issue of just the ARC file having low-quality images (which it definitely does). It seems like it will be a fairly small physical book at roughly 7x8 inches and 144 pages. I see enough potential that I'm very tempted to get the kindle version myself. I think this would be a great small gift for a cat lover who also loves travel, especially if they have an affinity for Italy.

Cats of Rome will be released on April 22, 2025. I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Claire Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this peak into the lives of the cats of Rome! This would be a great coffee table book for any cat lovers and travelers out there. Reading through the author's stories and experiences trying to meet all of the cat colonies throughout the city made me want to travel to these places myself. I also loved learning about the culture and customs surrounding the feral cat colonies as a cat lover myself. It was interesting seeing how the colonies have adapted and changed over time as the author describes their previous visits to the city compared to their more recent excursions.

Of course the photos are also gorgeous and capture the history of Rome alongside the every day lives of these cats. All in all a joy to read!

[Erin Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading about the history of Rome and the feral cats that have lived there for generations. Some of the photos were exceptional while others were not. I appreciate the care that Romans are showing in caring for the cats and that they are utilizing the Trap, Neuter, Release Program to decrease to keep the population under control.

Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the Advanced Reader's Copy.

[Jennifer T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful little book describing the feral cats of Rome. Great photos and a great love letter to feral kitties. I’ve never been to Rome but if I ever go I’ll be sure to take this as a guide. As a cat lover I’d totally be a cat caretaker if I lived in Rome.

**Thanks to the author and publisher for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

[Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book. Scott's writing in the introduction allowed me to feel like I was right beside her for her adventures in finding the cats of Rome.

And while I love any picture of a cat, these photographs were beautiful and many were especially striking, with interesting compositions.

I definitely recommend this book!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cats of Rome is a photographic guide to cat colonies in Rome. It includes short anecdotes about how the cats ended up in these areas and beautiful photographs of some of the cats. It is an entertaining tour of Rome via cat colonies.

[Wib ;] · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book with beautiful pictures!!! It was very informative and I really enjoyed reading it and looking at the amazing photos. My personal favourite is the cat in the flowers on page 128 - it is stunning!

[Megan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Italy. It’s cats. I love it and am now looking at flights to Rome.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the review copy!

[Oliwia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book I got in the Colosseum gift shop.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cats of the Colosseum is a sharp memory I have from the mid 1970s. A visit to Rome in 2009 produced no cats. I often wondered why.
This book explains it. Well worth the read for cat lovers.