Some people might consider Silvana Valentino-Locke to be a crazy cat lady, but the 55-year-old mother of two just has a big heart. Silvana began rescuing cats in the 1990s, and has converted her house into the Romney House Cat Rescue with over 120 felines.
Caring for the kitties is such a big job that Silvana employs two live-in, full-time assistants to help her with the daily tasks. In order to keep a tidy house, everything must be cleaned top to bottom twice a day.
Over 50 of the cats live inside the four bedroom home with Silvana and her husband Tony. More than 40 more inhabit a series of “cat houses” installed in the backyard.
Silvana’s saintly husband Tony pays over half of the cost of taking care of the large menagerie.
It costs over $140,000 (£90,000) to care for the cats each year. Food costs over $780 (£500) per week, and with 12 litter boxes to change regularly, the litter alone can cost nearly $50 (£30) per day.
Silvana works tirelessly to care for her growing collection of cats, waking at 6:30 AM each morning, and often not returning to bed until well after midnight.
Some cats stay with Silvana and her husband permanently, but she’s also able to adopt out hundreds per year to deserving homes.
Even as Silvana and her staff work daily to care for the cats already living at Romney House Cat Rescue, the phone constantly rings with more cats who need help.
The lucky cats take full advantage of the comfortable furnishings in Silvana and Tony’s home.
This photo shows just a few of Silvana’s cats at feeding time. The animals must be fed three times per day.
Some of the cats live in outdoor cat houses and get their meals on a small front porch.
Silvana spares no expense in taking care of her beloved cats. The veterinary bill can top $7,000 (£4,500) per month.
Some of Silvana’s favorite cats like to cuddle with her in bed.
“They all have their own position,” Silvana told the Mirror. “There are a couple that want to get so close to you. One lies on my neck. In winter it’s lovely, but it’s a bit hot now.”
Silvana was a cat lover from an early age.
“There were always kittens in my grandma’s garden,” says the big-hearted cat lady. “I was 11 when I rescued my first cat. A pregnant cat came to the house and I took her in and cared for her. I’ve been mad on cats ever since.”
Silvana, Tony, and their collection of kitties will be featured in a UK documentary titled “90 Cats & Counting: Cat Crazies,” set to air on July 1.
To see more of Silvana’s rescue and find out how you can help, visit the Romney House Cat Rescue website and Facebook page.