Lifeline

Maryam al-Balushi feeds and takes care of 480 cats and 12 dogs at her home in Muscat, Oman. Regardless of the judgment of others, she says she prefers the company of her pets to most people. “I was in a dark place and they were the lifeline that rescued me”, she said. Photo: Mohammed Mahjoub/AFP.

Black Cat House

Black Cat Day is celebrated in Italy on November 17. This day was launched in 2007 by the Italian Association for the Protection of Animals and the Environment (AIDAA) to debunk myths and superstitions about black cats.