Fine Feral Felines (Foreword by Jodi Arias)
Recently, I read what was probably the most adorable article the Associated Press has ever published and I wanted to share it with you.
Have you ever been asked, “Are you a dog person or a cat person?” as though you were expected to draw a line and pick a side? I always answer “Both” to that silly question. I love animals. Yet I always had cats growing up and therefore have a special affinity for them.
I found this article on my tablet’s news app, which I rarely open because I’m intentional about consuming very little news. I loved it, and was also delighted that the Mexican presidential palace’s official veterinarian’s name is Jesús Arias. (Hey, cousin!)
By the way, the nonprofit Alley Cat Rescue has a TNR program (trap-neuter-release) for feral cats which helps humanely control their populations. Feral-cat communities can thrive and be healthy absent an overabundance of hungry kittens to feed. Consider donating to saveacat.org to help this organization continue its work on behalf of the world’s fine feral felines.
I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.
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A new declaration in Mexico gives 19 cats roaming the presidential palace food and care fur-ever
Coco nibbles on a blade of grass in a National Palace courtyard, in Mexico City, Thursday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
BY MEGAN JANETSKY
MEXICO CITY (AP) — They prowl through palace gardens stalking pigeons and make cameos on televised press briefings. Some greet tourists at the doors, while others take a sneaky lick of ice cream from staff.
Nineteen feral cats have free rein of Mexico’s National Palace, long roaming the lush gardens and historic colonial halls of the most iconic buildings in the country.
“They have access to every part of the palace, so they walk in on meetings, interviews and wander onto camera,” said Jesús Arias, the palace veterinarian, as a handful of feline friends brush against his ankles.
Veterinarian Jesus Arias greets Ollin in one a National Palace courtyard, in Mexico City, Thursday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Now, the palace cats have made hiss-tory after the government of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador declared them to be “living fixed assets,” the first animals in Mexico to receive the title.
The investment term “fixed assets” usually applies to buildings and furniture, but by applying it to cats, López Obrador’s government has obligated the country’s Treasury to give them food and care for them for the rest of their lives, even after the leader leaves office in October.
“The cats are now a symbol of the National Palace. Just as we understand this world, I wouldn’t understand the National Palace without the presence of these cats,” said Adriana Castillo Román, general director of the National Palace and Cultural Heritage Conservancy. “We have to make sure the cats are taken care of.”
Nestled in the heart of Mexico City, the presidential palace has long been the seat of Mexico’s executive branch. Now the residence of López Obrador, it is built upon the former palace of Indigenous Emperor Moctezuma. Ironically, Moctezuma’s ancient Aztec culture honored not cats, but hairless dogs known as Xoloitzcuintle, who were even buried with their masters.
But these days, López Obrador is accompanied by Bowie, Bellof, Nube, Coco, Yema, Ollin, Balam and more, who seem to have found a purr-fect home in the building. López Obrador himself has said the cats “dominate” the palace and often walk in front of him during official ceremonies.
Some are named after artists, like an orange tabby “Bowie” named after the rockstar David Bowie, who visited the palace 1997 to see the famous mural by Mexican painter Diego Rivera. Others are named after native rocks or words in the region’s ancient Aztec language, like Ollin, which means “movement.”
Staff say they remember the feral cats living among the cacti and dense brush of the gardens as far back as 50 years ago.
But it’s unclear when they first appeared or how they even got into the building. While 19 live in the building full time, many more come and go, and staff suspect they slip under a small crack in the palace gate by night.
One cat named Zeus, who has since passed away, even became famous in July when he meandered into the president’s morning press briefing. The gray cat stood in front of cameras and wandered among reporters until palace staff had to carry him off.
A feral cat living on National Palace grounds takes a lick of ice cream, in Mexico City, Thursday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
To avoid a cat-astrophe, Castillo said the government had to ask reporters to stop feeding Zeus because he would spend his days accepting treats from different people around the palace and was “getting really fat”.
When López Obrador first took office in 2018, Castillo said the palace pets were being fed quietly by employees.
“Some employees that like cats would bring them leftovers from home and, every once in a while, canned food or rice and soup,” Castillo said.
Palace staff worked with vets from the National Autonomous University of Mexico to vaccinate, sterilize and chip the cats, and build them little cat homes and feeding stations around the garden. They also hired Arias to take care of them on a permanent basis and give them a good life.
Neither Bowie, Coco or Ollin commented when asked how they feel about being “living fixed assets.” Coco swished his tail, while Ollin stretched out below a palace pillar and fell asleep.
“Meow,” responded Nube, a gray cat named after the Spanish word for “cloud” who enjoys greeting visitors at the door of the palace.
Cats rest in a National Palace garden in Mexico City, Thursday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
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ArtByJodiArias.com – UPDATE
Jodi’s personal efforts to raise money for her appeals continue through the production of her art, which is sold at ArtbyJodiArias.com. Her art admin supports her efforts by running this “side hustle” of sorts on her behalf and taking none of the funds. The time and effort he devotes to this process (filing the taxes, trips to the post office every week to ship art) are an invaluable contribution.
If you are interested in another way to contribute to the cause, any purchase at ArtbyJodiArias.com is a legitimate way to support Jodi. You can also check out Jodi’s art on Instagram @ArtbyJodiArias.
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And Remember folks… as I always say – each day that passes takes us one day closer to Jodi’s release date.
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SJ
Team Jodi #WINNING <<<
Click the banner below to read Jade’s post – “Justice Denied: Why The Jurors Got It Wrong & How The Facts Decimate The State’s Case Against Jodi Arias.”:
