It is a splendid gift, fallen from the sky. A villa of 300 m2, with 500 m2 of land in a "green sector" of Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes), was bequeathed by an individual to the Nice association Arpa (Alliance for the respect and protection of animals). Among her wishes inscribed on the will, the mysterious benefactor wanted her home to be transformed into a reception center for four-leggeds. This will be effective in the coming months.
"The idea is to make a foster home for a hundred cats mainly and a few small dogs, to save more lives, to get animals out of abuse, in very good conditions," explains Anne-Marie David, director of the association created in 2001.
The legacy that dates back to 2020 has been made public these days while the Côte d'Azur house currently serves as a place of refuge for many cats recovered in mid-July, in an "apartment of horror" in Nice where more than 100 animals were trying to survive in deplorable conditions.
"We didn't win the lottery, we need donations"
"We thank our benefactor, whom we have never met, every morning! It helps us to realize the dream of the last 20 years because until now we could not do it and had to push the walls, "says the leader.
The site, estimated by several media at more than 1 million euros (which does not confirm the association), is in poor condition. It will therefore have to be renovated. "We didn't win the lottery," she adds. We need donations and our 2500 members." The work will be financed largely by a donation from the Mesnage-Augier-Negresco Endowment Fund, created by Jeanne Augier, the deceased owner of the famous Hotel Negresco. She is also a great defender of the animal cause.