Cats of San Juan

I was walking around the Paseo del Morro, the shoreline walking path around the National Park that contains San Juan’s famous castle, when I stopped to take a photo of one of the resident cats. A man who was carrying a grass trimmer jokingly commented as he walked by, “All they do is lay around like they own the place!” Perhaps they do, I replied.

The cats have long been a fixture in Old San Juan, but last summer the National Park Service announced that the cats would be removed from the park, arguing that it did not meet visitors’ expectations or the purpose of the park. Yet, most people view the cats as part of the landscape and charm of the city. Many residents believe that the cats are being forced out just as locals have been from the old city to make way for wealthy investors from elsewhere. 

This guy was really tired and did not mind me sitting next to him. 

Calle de Hospital

This chicken and cat appeared to walk away as tourists started flooding the square. 

For the most part, the cats interact well with tourists.