Nineteen feral cats have taken up residence in Mexico’s National Palace, freely roaming the lush gardens and historic colonial halls of the iconic building. They have become a beloved fixture in the palace, even making appearances in televised press briefings and official ceremonies. The government of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador recently declared the cats to be “living fixed assets,” ensuring they receive food and care for the rest of their lives, even after López Obrador leaves office in October. The cats have become a symbol of the National Palace and are cherished by staff and visitors alike.
The presidential palace in Mexico City, now the residence of López Obrador, sits on the former palace of Indigenous Emperor Moctezuma. While Moctezuma’s Aztec culture revered hairless dogs, known as Xoloitzcuintle, the current palace is home to feral cats with names like Bowie, Bellof, Nube, and Coco. The cats have found a comfortable home in the historic building and often accompany López Obrador during official events. The cats are named after artists, native rocks, and ancient Aztec words, reflecting the rich cultural history of the region.
Staff at the National Palace remember seeing feral cats in the gardens as far back as 50 years ago, but it remains a mystery how they first appeared or gained access to the building. While 19 cats live in the palace full time, more come and go, slipping through a small crack in the palace gate. One cat named Zeus gained fame when he wandered into a press briefing, mingling with reporters and creating a humorous moment before being carried off by palace staff. The government had to intervene to prevent Zeus from getting too fat due to accepting treats from various people around the palace.
When López Obrador took office in 2018, employees at the palace quietly fed the cats, bringing them leftovers and canned food. The cats were later vaccinated, sterilized, and chipped by vets from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Palace staff built little homes and feeding stations for the cats in the garden and hired a veterinarian, Jesús Arias, to care for them on a permanent basis. The cats, including Bowie, Coco, and Ollin, now enjoy a comfortable life as cherished members of the National Palace.
The palace cats have become an integral part of the National Palace’s identity, with their presence adding a unique charm to the historic building. López Obrador himself has expressed admiration for the cats and acknowledged their dominance in the palace. Through the government’s declaration of them as “living fixed assets,” the cats’ well-being and care are ensured even after López Obrador’s term ends. Nube, one of the palace cats, continues to greet visitors at the door, embodying the spirit of the feline inhabitants who have found a home within the walls of one of Mexico’s most iconic buildings.
