Feral cats residing at Mexico's National Presidential Palace

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 12: Since 2019, after the first year of Andres Manuel López Obrador's administration, the Conservation Department of the National Palace and Cultural Heritage has been tasked with addressing a long-standing issue at the facility: the presence of feral cats.From the outset, the Conservation Department, in collaboration with the National Autonomous University of Mexico, initiated efforts to address the presence of feral cats. This included veterinary care and educational sessions for staff on animal care, protection, and fostering community with animals. As a result, the cats at the National Palace now have access to veterinary services.Recently, these felines have been recognized as valuable assets of the National Palace, leading to the allocation of a dedicated budget to ensure their ongoing well-being. These cats play a crucial role in pest control within the facility and contribute positively to the morale of the workers. This innovative administrative approach establishes a new standard for animal care in cultural and governmental institutions.Patricia López Arenas, the director of Conservation at the National Palace and Cultural Heritage, describes the relationship between heritage, felines, and workers as a "virtuous circle," marking the first instance of managing the population of stray animals with a conservation perspective within a state property.Jesús Arias, the veterinarian, stated, 'As soon as the cats arrive, we implement a preventive medicine protocol, which includes vaccines, internal and external deworming, and sterilization. Sterilization is carried out immediately upon their arrival."At present, 19 felines reside in the facility. Since 2019, these cats have been monitored and provided with care. Veterinarian Jesús Arias notes that he has cared for 30 cats at the National Palace. (Footage by Amaranta Atzin Marentes Orozco/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)