Caring for Cats in Lima, Peru

No people own stray cats, but they still depend on humans for help with food, water and shelter. Since these cats might not have their own homes, the local community has stepped in to help provide a safe environment for them. It's a solution to a common problem in big cities, where stray animals can struggle to survive.

Is this need being met? How?:

Yes, the community’s need is definitely being met through the creation of a cat sanctuary right in the heart of Kennedy Park. The park is beautiful, with colorful flowers, neatly trimmed grass and clean walkways. At the base of every tree, you’ll find bowls of food and water, ready for the cats. The cats also have little houses to live in and plenty of fenced-off areas to roam, giving them the space they need to relax or nap in the sun.

The cats in Kennedy Park come in all shapes and sizes—fluffy cats, old ginger cats, brave cats, shy cats and cats that just want to lounge in the sun. Some of the cats were eager to meet new friends. We saw cats snuggling in the laps of visitors, happily accepting belly rubs, or calmly rubbing against people's legs. They were everywhere—on park benches, in the bushes and even up in trees. The cats were very comfortable around people, and simply relaxed on the grass or explored as humans made their way through the park.

The cats of Kennedy Park have been there for over 20 years. No one is quite sure how it all started, but one story suggests that priests from a nearby church brought the first cats to control a plague. The cat population grew over time, and the community stepped in to care for them. Sadly, some people started abandoning their pet cats at the park, thinking they’d be taken care of too.

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