Hundreds of stray cats in Cuba saved by animal-loving volunteers

For the last five years, young animal protection activists in Havana have banded together to save hundreds of stray cats. They formed an organization called Aldama, named after a public park that was full of strays, which provides the cats and some dogs with food, medical care and homes.

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For the last five years, young animal protection activists in Havana have banded together to save hundreds of stray cats. They formed an organization called Aldama, named after a public park that was full of strays, which provides the cats and some dogs with food, medical care and homes.

‘’We do this work because we love animals and we want to protect them. We do it out of love.’’ says Gabriela. 

‘’Aldama was born as an animal protection project, but focused on a colony of cats that emerged during Covid here in Aldama Park.’’ adds Gabriela.

‘’We work non-stop every day. We come here twice a day and feed more than 125 cats and two dogs. All of our cats are rescues. Most have been mistreated by humans.’’ said Gabriela.

‘’We can't help all the animals we want to but we help all the animals we can.’’ added Gabriela.

‘’Wifi is the most loving cat in the park, the friendliest. Hey…He’s also jealous.’’ says Gabriela.

‘’It’s no secret that food and medicine are two serious issues in Cuba right now. We struggle with 

that daily. We get leftovers from restaurants, food donations from people. We do garage sales 

and we try to donate part of our salaries.’’ adds Gabriela.

‘’I’d like to think that more people now know about sterilization, deworming and responsible adoptions. We’ve made progress, but we still have a long way to go.’’ claimed Gabriela.

‘’We’re always getting injured cats, who have been abused by people. Some have broken bones, 

burns, or worse. Some we’re not able to save. It makes us feel powerless. It takes a toll on us, 

the feeling of not being able to do anything, of wanting to save them and not being able to.’’ says Gabriela.

‘’This is Matilda. She was abandoned here in the park. She's a lovely dog. She loves the cats. She gets along with all of them. She’s the boss here, though.’’ added Gabriela.

‘’My dreams don’t end with this project. We want to open Cuba’s first cat cafe. The business would help us self-sustain our animal protection project. Aldama is the beginning of all the dreams that we can accomplish if we put our minds to it.’’ said Gabriela.