Puerto Ricans love their cats, and their cats in turn are Puerto Ricans. Cats are intertwined in the island’s rich heritage and culture by centuries of history and also by the countless hours, days, and years residents have dedicated to their care.

But in late 2023, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) moved to implement a plan that put a target on the backs of the community cats living on the iconic Paseo del Morro walkway leading to the El Morro fort. The scheme included allowance for lethal removal, meaning the cats faced deadly eradication.

Alley Cat Allies took a stand with a historic federal lawsuit, advocacy, and direct care for Puerto Rico’s cats.

Today, the cats of the Paseo del Morro like Llorin and Bella are no longer at risk of being killed.