There are no "pets" in Viscri;
     all the animals in the village have jobs.

Animals are a major source of income for the families in Viscri who are able to afford them. As such, the care and feeding of the animals structures day-to-day life in the village. An interview with a retired veterinary technician allowed us an in-depth discussion of the role animals play in village life. Despite their status as working animals, we were surprised to learn that all of the animals (except for the sheep, who were too numerous) had names. Of course, the vet tech explained, how else would you call them?

Click on an animal to learn more about his/her role:

cows
horses
sheep
pigs
chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and guinea hens
dogs
cats

Cows

Cows provide milk and meat. After their first milking of the day, owners deposit their cows along the main road to munch grass while they await the cow herd, who collects the cattle and, using the crack of his whip, leads them out to pasture. They spend the day grazing and return home in the early evening. The cows know where they live, and during the evening walk back home, one occasionally observes a cow or two knocking on the gate of his or her home with a bang of the head if the owner has not opened the gate to let them in. A second milking in the evening ends the cow's work for the day.

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Horses

Horses are a source of transportation to the villagers. They haul anything from firewood to tourists in their carts. Colts will run alongside of their mothers as "training" for the day when they will be old enough to pull the cart.

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Sheep

Though lambs will spend their days moving between various courtyards in the village to graze, older sheep go out to the hills to be cared for by the shepherds in the sheep fold.

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Pigs

Pigs are raised and used for food.

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Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Geese, Guinea Hens

Birds are used mainly to provide meat and eggs. The spend their days wandering around the village feeding and are able to find their own way home.

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Dogs

The dogs main role is to guard his home, acting as the "doorbell" when visitors arrive and, depending on the dog, looking as foreboding as possible. Dogs live a generally long lifespan, much longer than the average pet - larger breeds living to as many as 18 years.

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Cats

Cats, of course, catch mice. Unlike the priviledged existance of many cats in the U.S., cats spend most of their time outside. If they are lucky enough to be allowed in the house for the night, they are not allowed to sleep on the bed.

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