Rescued dog Koffee sits on the motorcycle next to his new caretaker Leandro Valdes during an interview in Havana, Cuba, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
For those who remain in Cuba, daily life is not easy: the country’s gross domestic product fell by 2% in 2023, resulting in rampant inflation and food and fuel shortages.
Caring for a pet on the island can be prohibitive for most Cubans. While the average monthly salary in the state sector — the largest employer — is about $21, a 20-kilo bag of imported dog food can cost up to $70 and a visit to the vet costs the equivalent of $10.
The increase in the number of abandoned pets in Cuba has been largely countered by animal activism, a phenomenon that began to take shape in 2018 after the Internet was massively adopted and social media helped coordinate actions.
A cat lies on a refrigerator at the Adoptions for Love animal shelter in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
In 2021, animal rights activists scored a win when the government passed a long-awaited animal welfare law, which seeks to prevent cruelty and raise awareness about the need to protect animals. The law also penalizes animal cruelty, including dogfights, and the sacrifice of animals for religious purposes but activists say it is not enough.
“Abandonment is the worst form of animal abuse,” said Leandro Valdés, a dog trainer and proud owner of Koffee, a rescued dog that has gone viral as he rides around Havana in the back of Valdés’ motorcycle, wearing goggles and a seatbelt.
“The increase in migration has resulted in more pets being abandoned,” says Valdés, noting the “loss of values” that resulted from Cuba’s deepening economic crisis.
A dog on a leash walks behind its owner in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
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Publish date : 2024-10-14 00:43:00
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