An association born from the love that a woman – the great comic actress Franca Valeri – has always had for animals. The Franca Valeri Onlus Animalist Association was founded in 2004 in Trevignano Romano and since then has been fighting every day to improve the living conditions of less fortunate four-legged friends.

Franca Valeri between cinema, theater and love for animals

Franca Valeri, born Franca Maria Norsa, is fully considered one of the most important actresses in the history of Italian cinema and theater .

During her long career – from the second post-war period to the present day – she has been able to revolutionize the image of women with comedy, creating a well-stocked gallery of highly successful female characters. 

She is an actress, director, screenwriter, playwright and writer , she has worked with directors and actors who have written the history of national cinema.

Professionals, whom Valeri remembers as great friends: Vittorio De Sica (whom she defines in an interview as ” the dearest friend “), Alberto Sordi  andTotò , with whom he has always shared his affection for animals.

Like him, Franca Valeri has lived with dogs since she was a child who have become faithful friends, and like him she has created a shelter to protect them.

On the threshold of one hundred years, today Franca Valeri lives far from the public and from the spotlight. ” I still have opera and animals ” she recently said about herself and her life today on Tv Sorrisi e Canzoni . 

Last May, the actress received the David Special 2020 award . Commenting on the recognition, the President of Italian Animal Experts Walter Caporale stated: “A personal friend and a friend of the Italian Animal Experts for over 20 years, I am proud and proud of the recognition given to Franca Valeri, animal rights activist ante litteram. Franca has saved hundreds of animals, has always hosted many abandoned strays in her home and has always participated in the Campaigns of the Italian Animal Experts: for the abolition of vivisection, against fur and to ask for stricter laws for those who mistreat or abandon animals ” .

The Franca Valeri refuge

The Franca Valeri Onlus Animalist Association, founded by the artist herself, carries on its animal rights mission. 

Under the motto of “Happiness wags its tail” , the Trevignano Romano shelter welcomes animals in need (especially dogs and cats), giving them the necessary care and doing everything possible to find them a family.

The association’s Facebook page, as well as the telephone number and e-mail, collect reports of animals in difficulty. On the same Facebook page, the arrival of new members of the “community” is communicated, updates on their state of health are published, appeals are made to users looking for friends to adopt and, in the presence of the desired happy ending, they show with photos and testimonies the animals in the arms of their new human companions. 

In addition to these daily activities, the association supports animal welfare campaigns and initiatives aimed at raising public awareness . Finally, it organizes events aimed at financing the refuge .

The celebrations for Franca Valeri’s 100th anniversary

Among the events and initiatives organized by the Franca Valeri Animalist Association, a big appointment could not be missing to celebrate Franca’s 100th anniversary . And so, for July 31st the association organized a theatrical tribute ” to celebrate the first post-war woman actress and comic author who, with her refined irony, is consecrated among the great of the twentieth century “.

An evening in the company of her women , staged by the actress Paola Lorenzoni: from the snobbish lady to the Roman seamstress, from Bellonci to many others. 

The evening was organized with the patronage of the Municipality of Trevignano Romano. The proceeds from the evening will be entirely dedicated to the care of the refuge’s guests.