Save A Gato
Overview
Save A Gato is an extraordinarily unique, highly compassionate non-profit animal rescue facility, volunteer-led preservation center, and heartwarming agritourism boutique hidden along the historic seaside walking paths of Old San Juan. Passionately dedicated to the organic welfare of the historic city's famous stray cat population, this dynamic volunteer organization manages a safe haven for rescued felines right next to the historic stone defensive walls. Travelers can take specialized educational walking tours to meet, pet, and feed hundreds of beautifully socialized, free-roaming local cats in a completely safe, respectful environment. It provides a unique, highly therapeutic relaxation escape that inspires eco-friendly animal stewardship and leaves lasting vacation smiles.
Practical Info
Travel Tips
- This feral cat sanctuary matrices mainly across open rock shrubs along Paseo del Morro; the brick-and-mortar operations office opens to the public on erratic weekend hours, requiring digital coordination forward.
- Interacting with feral colonies on the path outlaws aggressive smartphone camera flash arrays; protecting feline renal health strictly forbids dumping human table scraps, salted foods, or processed chocolate drops.
- The untamed cat clusters carry organic scratching risks; sustaining open skin lesions from viral alpha-cats requires immediate navigation to the local emergency clinic to contain tropical Cat Scratch Fever pathogens.
Reviews
- A wonderful non-profit dedicated to caring for Old San Juan's stray cats; the passionate volunteers keep the outdoor cat sanctuaries cozy.
- Most of the cats are incredibly friendly and gentle; for animal lovers, watching dozens of kitties lounge in the sun is pure bliss.
- Completely free to visit, showcasing a pure community and humanitarian spirit; visitors can support via purchasing cool merch or donating.
- Nestled right along the historic Paseo del Morro coastal trail beneath the ancient walls, it serves as a fun and unique pitstop.
- This is not an upscale, enclosed indoor 'cat cafe'—it is essentially an open-air rescue station, meaning lots of bugs during hot days.
- Due to the heavy concentration of felines, certain spots around feeding stations and litter trays have a noticeable cat urine odor.
- Many cats roam freely, and a few sick or recovering rescues might look frail, which can be upsetting for sensitive travelers.
- Lacking major commercial funding, signs are rudimentary, and busy volunteers are often too preoccupied with cat care to host visitors.