This Compassionate Cat Lady Cares For Over 120 Felines At A Cost Of $140K Per Year

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.

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Silvana’s saintly husband Tony pays over half of the cost of taking care of the large menagerie.

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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.

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Some cats stay with Silvana and her husband permanently, but she’s also able to adopt out hundreds per year to deserving homes.

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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.

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The lucky cats take full advantage of the comfortable furnishings in Silvana and Tony’s home.

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This photo shows just a few of Silvana’s cats at feeding time. The animals must be fed three times per day.

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Some of the cats live in outdoor cat houses and get their meals on a small front porch.

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Silvana spares no expense in taking care of her beloved cats. The veterinary bill can top $7,000 (£4,500) per month.

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Some of Silvana’s favorite cats like to cuddle with her in bed.

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“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.

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“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.

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To see more of Silvana’s rescue and find out how you can help, visit the Romney House Cat Rescue website and Facebook page.