Some residents of Havana rescue cats and dogs as the state cannot provide shelter and food.

Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, August 6th 2025 at 13:18 GMT by Associated Press
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The high costs of food and medicine for pets, along with the challenges of a country in crisis and the migration of hundreds of thousands of Cubans over five years, have also contributed to an increase in abandoned animals.

Havana Residents Step Up to Rescue Stray Cats and Dogs Amid Economic Hardships

In the bustling streets of Havana, Cuba, a quiet revolution of compassion is unfolding as ordinary residents take it upon themselves to rescue and care for stray cats and dogs. With the Cuban state grappling with severe economic challenges, including shortages of food, medicine, and resources, official animal shelters have become overwhelmed or entirely unable to function. This has left countless animals vulnerable on the streets, prompting a grassroots movement of animal lovers to fill the void. The situation highlights not only the plight of these animals but also the broader struggles faced by Cubans in a nation still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. sanctions, and internal economic mismanagement.

The video captures poignant scenes from Havana's neighborhoods, where stray dogs roam in packs, scavenging for scraps amid crumbling colonial architecture, and cats huddle in alleyways, their eyes wide with hunger. One resident, Maria Gonzalez, a middle-aged woman living in a modest apartment in Old Havana, is featured prominently. She explains how she began rescuing animals about five years ago when she found a litter of kittens abandoned near her home. "The government can't even feed the people properly right now," Gonzalez says, her voice laced with frustration. "How can they take care of animals? We have to do it ourselves." Her small home has become a makeshift sanctuary, housing over a dozen cats and dogs. She shares her limited rations with them, often going without to ensure they eat. Gonzalez describes the daily challenges: sourcing affordable pet food from black markets, treating injuries with homemade remedies due to the scarcity of veterinary supplies, and even organizing informal networks with neighbors to share the burden.

The report delves into the broader context of Cuba's animal welfare crisis. Historically, the island nation has had a complex relationship with pets and strays. In the decades following the 1959 revolution, the focus was on human needs, with animal care often sidelined. But in recent years, as tourism boomed pre-pandemic, more Cubans adopted pets, leading to a surge in strays when economic woes hit. The video notes that official shelters, once supported by state funds, now lack basic necessities like kibble and vaccines. A veterinarian interviewed in the piece, Dr. Elena Ramirez, who works at a underfunded clinic in Vedado, points out the health risks. "Without proper care, these animals spread diseases like rabies or parasites, which can affect humans too," she warns. Ramirez volunteers her time to spay and neuter strays, but admits the demand far outstrips her resources. She recounts heartbreaking stories of euthanizing animals that could have been saved with minimal intervention.

Community efforts are showcased through various vignettes. In one scene, a group of young volunteers gathers in a park, distributing bowls of rice mixed with whatever protein they can find—sometimes fish scraps from local markets. They call themselves "Los Amigos de los Animales" (Friends of the Animals), an informal collective that started on social media. Leader Javier Morales, a 28-year-old student, explains their motivation: "We see these dogs and cats suffering just like we are. It's a way to bring some humanity back to our city." The group has rescued hundreds of animals over the past year, finding homes for some through word-of-mouth adoptions and even smuggling in donated supplies from relatives abroad. However, they face obstacles, including legal hurdles—Cuba's laws on animal ownership are strict, and without state support, their work operates in a gray area.

The video also explores the emotional toll on rescuers. Gonzalez tearfully recalls losing a dog she had nursed back to health, only for it to succumb to an untreated infection. "It's like losing a family member," she says. Yet, there are moments of hope. A heartwarming segment shows a rescued puppy, now playful and healthy, bounding around a courtyard, bringing smiles to children who have little else to cheer them. These stories underscore a resilient spirit among Cubans, who, despite their own hardships—food queues, blackouts, and inflation—extend kindness to the voiceless.

Broader implications are touched upon, linking animal welfare to Cuba's economic isolation. The U.S. embargo, tightened under previous administrations, has exacerbated shortages, making imported goods like pet food prohibitively expensive. Meanwhile, the pandemic decimated tourism, a key revenue source, leaving many without jobs and further straining resources. Animal rights advocates in Cuba argue for policy changes, such as government subsidies for shelters or international aid partnerships. International organizations like Humane Society International have occasionally stepped in, but access is limited.

As the video concludes, it paints a picture of quiet heroism in Havana. Residents like Gonzalez and Morales aren't waiting for systemic change; they're acting now, one animal at a time. Their efforts not only save lives but also foster community bonds in a time of division. In a city where survival is a daily battle, these acts of rescue remind us of the enduring power of empathy. The stray population in Havana may continue to grow without structural solutions, but for now, the compassion of its people is the lifeline keeping many animals alive. This grassroots movement could inspire similar initiatives elsewhere, proving that even in adversity, humanity—and its extension to animals—prevails.

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Some residents of Havana rescue cats and dogs as the state cannot provide shelter and food.

Havana Residents Step Up to Rescue Stray Cats and Dogs Amid Economic Hardships