Who We Are

The cats

 

The story of the cats of Kennedy Park started more than 25 years ago, when a couple of cats were introduced by priests from the nearby church for plague control.  Those cats reproduced and formed the feral colony. When a group of neighbors started taking care of them, people began abandoning their unwanted cats in the belief they would be well taken care of, thus forming the domestic cats colony.

 

Nowadays more than 150 cats live in the park. The feral cats hide and stay in the trees, while the domestic cats are usually friendly and let people pet them. The cats eat and go out at night most of the time. On sunny days people can see them lounging around. There are various food stands around the park and cats always gather round seated people to beg for a bit of food. As the park is located in the touristic center of Lima, many foreigners come to the park and are delighted to see the kittens.

 

What is GVDF

 

GVDF (“Grupo Voluntario de Defensa Felina”, or Feline Protection Volunteer Group) is a non-profit group comprised solely of volunteers, who are dedicated to taking care of and protecting the cats living in Miraflores Central Park, otherwise referred to as Kennedy Park. Our main purpose is to provide them with food and medical care, promote their responsible adoption and prevent their abuse and abandonment.

 

GVDF was created 15 years ago by a group of cat-loving neighbors. In 2013, the group’s status was made official. At the head of the group is Natalie Sanchez, currently president of GVDF. The group is composed of a dozen of permanent volunteers, who engage in most of the group’s activities, and temporary volunteers who help with punctual activities. Our volunteers include both Peruvian and foreign people living mostly in Miraflores, all of them having part or full time jobs aside from volunteering in the park.

 

Due to the nature of our group, all funding comes from individual and voluntary donations. GVDF receives no help from governmental or private institutions. The municipal authorities of Miraflores refuse to provide any financial help even though their facilities are located inside the park. The only support GVDF receives from them is being allowed to carry out the group’s activities. This is why your help is fundamental. You can find more information about how to support us on this page.