A federal plan to remove feral cats from a historic site in Puerto Rico’s capital, Old San Juan, has caused an outcry among residents who feel pushed out as housing costs surge. The feral cats have been a part of the neighborhood for as long as anyone can remember, meandering around the blue cobblestone streets. However, the National Park Service, which manages the San Juan National Historic Site that includes the historic fortress El Morro, sees the cats as a nuisance that could be carrying disease. This issue has struck an emotional chord with many residents who fear that the neighborhood is losing its soul amidst rapid changes.
The population in Old San Juan mainly consists of residents who have been living there for generations, artists, craftspeople, and families who have contributed to the neighborhood’s bohemian feel. However, with the rise of investors purchasing and converting properties into vacation rentals, many longtime residents are being priced out of their homes. The influx of outside buyers, especially under the Act 60 tax break law, has distorted the real estate market and made rents and homeownership unattainable for many Puerto Ricans. This, along with inflation and rising interest rates, is pushing residents out of Old San Juan and changing the face of the neighborhood.
The fight over the feral cats began a couple of years ago when the National Park Service decided to remove close to 200 cats from Old San Juan, citing nuisance issues. Despite pleas from residents and organizations that have been trapping, neutering, and spaying the cats for nearly 20 years, the park service decided to move forward with the removal plan. Only cats living on the historic site are scheduled to be removed and potentially euthanized. The issue of the cats has been a focal point amidst larger concerns about the displacement of residents in Old San Juan.
Various organizations in Puerto Rico, such as El Otro Puerto Rico, are working to address the issue of displacement caused by rising housing costs and outside investment. They have highlighted the impact of laws like Act 60 and the influx of outside buyers on the real estate market, leading to skyrocketing rents and property prices. The once tight-knit community of Old San Juan is now being transformed into a neighborhood of vacation rentals and investors, diminishing the historic character and essence of the area. Residents like Rei Segurola express concern about the changes that are reshaping the neighborhood.
While efforts to find homes for the cats continue, the battle over their removal remains unresolved. The park service is seeking a contractor to remove the remaining cats, with some being too feral to adopt. The issue of the cats has become a microcosm of the larger challenges facing Old San Juan, as residents grapple with the impact of investors, rising housing costs, and changing demographics. Margarita Gandía, a longtime resident and real estate agent, laments the shift in the neighborhood’s atmosphere and the lack of attention from the city government on addressing residents’ concerns. As Old San Juan faces rapid changes, residents are left wondering what the future holds for their beloved neighborhood.
