Cuba is Struggling with the Problem of Stray Animals During the Crisis

• As a result of the economic crisis, many Cubans cannot afford to feed stray animals.
• Activists are converting their apartments into shelters for the animals.
• The number of abandoned cats in the park has increased from three to fifteen per day.

In Havana, 81-year-old Nelida Perez feeds stray cats on the streets of Old Havana, a popular tourist spot. Previously, she could afford to feed them from her own pension or charitable donations, but due to the economic crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more difficult.

The economic situation in Cuba has worsened since 2020 due to the lockdowns, severe U.S. sanctions, and internal monetary reform that triggered inflation. Perez notes that previously she didn’t have to ask for help for her cats, but now it has become a necessity.

Although the government provides vaccines and free clinics, it cannot ensure food and shelter for stray animals. Activists report that many animal lovers have converted their apartments into shelters, but it is difficult to meet the needs.

Barbora Igleasias, a pharmacist who has taken in five dogs, says the biggest problem is the rising cost of food. The price for a 20-kilogram bag of dog food is around 80 dollars, which is unaffordable for most people. This forces them to feed their pets with less nutritious products, such as leftovers from pork or chicken scraps.

The problem of stray animals is also linked to rising prices for food and medical services, with migration affecting thousands of Cubans over the past five years and a high mortality rate among elderly people. According to Anneli Gonsales, a volunteer from the "Aldameros" project, in their park at the beginning of the decade, there were about three abandoned cats per week, whereas today this figure has reached 15 per day.

In Old Havana, Perez is worried about the decreasing number of stray cats that she has seen. She recalls that as long as she is alive, she will always try to help the animals.