The greatness of a society and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Cat parks could be a great model on how humans and animals can peacefully co-exist with each other.

Traveling cat lovers who may be missing their feline friends or simply want to be around other cats may find this of interest.

Kennedy Park in Lima, Peru

Parque Kennedy, in the middle of Miraflores, Lima, is known for street food vendors, a tiny amphitheater, and cats.

I found a traveler’s review from Chicago:

..Lots of cats in this quirky park… they appear to be cared for by the locals, despite living outside. They’re friendly and pretty funny to watch. The park was in great condition, a nice little patch of green in the busy city…Probably not a must-do for your visit unless you’re really into cats, but it was a fun little diversion in our day…

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When I first found out that my friend, Carol, had a trip planned to Peru a few weeks later, I had requested her to check out Kennedy Park if she was in the neighborhood. It was a short notice so I was not expecting Carol to check out in the middle of her planned itinerary. She happily agreed, and texted me the following pictures on a quick stop on her way to another destination.

…it seemed pretty unregulated, no fences, wandering around getting pet by people. I didn’t see any injured cats but most looked kind of old.

                    -Carol Miller, Missoula, MT

From Bolivia:

…Must see for cat lovers..there is not really much to see in the park…except lots of kittens willing to play with you…you can also help feed the kittens while they wait to be adopted.

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Note from Jess:

Since my lifestyle changed, I no longer travel, I have committed to being married to my cats. I enjoyed a short virtual tour of the Kennedy Park through a walking tour on YouTube. Thank you Alex Person for creating such a wonderful walking tour. I felt like I was actually there, walking through the park and checking out the cats whilst I’m drinking Cabernet Sauvignon.  I would highly recommend this tour to Cat Lovers who simply want to take a virtual walk through a beautiful park in Peru. I could not resist adding another short clip. It is also good.

There are many stories about how the cats came to be at Parque Kennedy. Some say that they were abandoned by their owners, while others say that they were born in the park. Regardless of how they arrived, the cats have become a beloved part of the park and are now cared for by the Gatos Parque Kennedy Association and the Feline Protection Volunteer Group. The cats are spayed and neutered, fed daily, and the area around the park is sanitized. They oversee the adoption process in case someone wants to take one home. The groups also provide medical care for the cats, and some cat lovers have de-wormed, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered most of the cats at their own expense. The cats at Parque Kennedy are a popular tourist attraction, and many people come to the park specifically to see them. The cats are also known for being friendly and approachable, and they often interact with visitors. The cats at Parque Kennedy are a testament to the compassion and dedication of the people who care for them. They are a reminder that even in a big city, there is still room for animals to thrive.

The presence of cats in the park has been a contentious issue among residents for many years. Some residents see the cats as a nuisance, while others believe that they play an important role in the park ecosystem. The cats help to control the rodent population, and they also provide a source of entertainment for park visitors. The local government has taken some steps to address the concerns of residents and has also worked with groups that care for the cats to ensure they are being properly vaccinated and treated for diseases.