23/10/2025
We wanted to share some advice about what you can do to help stray animals you may come across at your Hotels during your vacation.
We know every single one of you have huge hearts for the little ones and you want to do what is best for them - so it is important to know what is “helping” and what is “hurting”
Hurting:
-Feeding strays close to restaurants or rooms. Guests while you’re there and even after you leave may not like animals, the animal returns to where you feed them, which causes these guests to complain. This, in turn puts Hotel Management in a difficult position needing to address the complaints in order to protect Hotel reputation.
-Bringing strays into your rooms. This is a tough one, we KNOW you want to give them a safe place to sleep - however, when you leave, that animal will return to your room and the next guest may complain, hotel management also does not like animals in rooms as they most likely have fleas which will then be in the room you have vacated when your vacation is over.
-Finding a litter of young puppies or kittens and immediately removing them from the area you found them. Their mama may just be gone looking for food and water and will return soon, animals this young have a very difficult time surviving without their mothers, even if they are with a person who is experienced in caring for them.
-Relocating animals without a plan. Some dogs are not truly homeless – they may be owned dogs or community dogs - they may roam freely but have people nearby who feed, care for, or even claim them. Removing them can cause confusion, conflict, or heartbreak for locals. Always ask around first — talk to nearby residents, shop owners, or caretakers to see if the dog belongs to someone.
Helping:
-Offer food and water but always, always away from rooms, restaurants, and highly populated areas. In hotels with cat cafes only feed the cats at the cafes.
-Do not bring animals into your rooms. If you find an animal that needs medical attention or one that you want to adopt get in touch with an animal welfare organization. If there is one in your area that can help they will be able to give you specific instructions about how to keep the animal safe until someone can come. Take note of the location. A quick photo and map pin helps rescuers find the animal faster IF help is available/possible.
-When you find a young litter of puppies or kittens watch and wait at least 2 hours before you decide they are on their own. If their mother does not return contact an animal welfare organization and wait for instructions before moving them.
-Support spay/neuter efforts – one surgery can prevent hundreds of unwanted lives
-Research animal welfare organizations before you leave so you know who to contact if help is needed.
-Reach out for guidance. Message local rescues before taking big steps
-Donate/Volunteer. Animal welfare organizations are always looking for donations of supplies to help the animals and always looking for volunteers to help get the supplies to us, reach out before you leave and find out what you can do to help.
All of us here at APAC have personal experiences with helping strays at hotels and have even made some mistakes ourselves. Just like you, our hearts kick in full throttle. But through time and experience we have learned some of these actions are actually detrimental to the safety of the animal we are trying to help, which is why we want to share our knowledge with you.
Thank you for taking the time to review these tips and for all you do for the animals in Cuba.
All People for Animals in Cuba
