The economic and energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing is also affecting animals and those who attempt to rescue them. Shelters and rescuers are facing difficulties in obtaining food, medications, and water, while the prolonged power outages complicate even the preservation of vaccines and other veterinary products.
A report published by Reuters highlighted Aldameros, a stray cat rescue center in Havana that currently has limited water supply, receives only a couple of hours of electricity per day, and faces increasingly higher costs due to inflation.
Gabriela Lopez, the head of the center, explained that the power outages have completely changed the way they feed the animals.
Before, they could store food for several days, but now they have to work practically day by day because power outages prevent them from keeping it safe.
The water supply is another issue. In an environment that needs to maintain constant hygiene conditions, interruptions complicate daily tasks and add to a long list of deficiencies that, according to Lopez, end up becoming a much larger problem.
The lack of electricity also impacts veterinary care. Daniel Hernandez, a veterinarian based in Havana, explained to Reuters that clinics are struggling to keep medications and vaccines that require refrigeration available.
The specialist pointed out that one of the biggest challenges is ensuring a stable electricity supply that allows for the maintenance of the cold chain necessary for vaccines and other medications.
The energy crisis is compounded by the rising cost of food. According to Reuters, establishments that previously donated leftover fish and other products are now selling them, forcing shelters to allocate resources for food that they could previously use for other needs.
Donations related to tourism have also decreased. Claudia Diaz, volunteer coordinator of Cubans in Defense of Animals (CEDA), explained that the reduction in the number of foreign visitors has resulted in the loss of an important source of both supplies and funds.
These contributions helped fund pest control campaigns, rescues, vaccinations, and support for low-income individuals who cared for animals.
Lopez assured that they continue to do everything possible to keep the center open, although he acknowledged that maintaining it under the current conditions is becoming increasingly difficult.
A problem that has been growing
The situation documented now by Reuters has its background. Associated Press (AP) reported in August 2025 the difficulties faced by several animal protectors in Havana, as rising food and medication prices, the economic crisis, and emigration contributed to an increase in the abandonment of dogs and cats.
AP noted then that, although the State provided vaccines, sterilizations, and some free veterinary consultations, it did not have resources to offer shelter and food to stray animals.
In light of that situation, many citizens had even turned their own homes and small apartments into welcoming spaces.
The cost of keeping a pet was already prohibitive for many Cubans. A 20-kilogram bag of dog food cost around 80 dollars and could feed a single animal for about 45 days.
AP also estimated the annual vaccine cost at about 20 dollars and an additional 10 dollars for a veterinary consultation.
The Aldameros Project itself reflected the extent of neglect. A small group of volunteers had started by feeding 15 cats during the pandemic, and by 2025, they were caring for over 150.
One of its representatives explained to AP that, while at the beginning of the decade there were approximately three abandoned cats per week, by 2025 they recorded up to 15 in a single day.
Blackouts, cash shortages, and expensive operations
The challenges faced by animal protectors have been recurring in recent months. In June, an animal rights advocate from Mayabeque suffered burns while cooking with charcoal for her dogs during a blackout lasting over 24 hours due to a transformer explosion.
The boiling water from the liver he was preparing for the animals spilled onto his left hand. Since he had no electricity or cold water available in the house, he had to turn to his neighbors for help.
Just four days later, another case demonstrated how the cash crisis is also directly affecting shelters.
Mileydis Suárez, in charge of El Jardín de las Mascotas and responsible for over 60 animals, reported that she couldn't buy liver to feed them.
The advocate went out with cash because the establishment where she was looking for food did not accept transfers, but when trying to pay at a small business, they also refused to accept her 20-peso bills.
Faced with the inability to obtain food, he ended up publicly asking for financial assistance to care for the animals under his protection.
The problems have even reached the channels used to receive donations. In December 2025, BAC-Habana reported the blocking of its bank account.
According to the organization, the explanation given by the branch was that the account was recording "too many transactions."
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