Just as Rio de Janeiro’s human population gets ready to welcome the world to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the city’s felines are enjoying care and shelter at a new cattery.  

Rio 2016 recently entered into a collaborative partnership with NGO World Animal Protection (Proteção Animal Mundial), with the aim of ensuring the safety of urban wildlife in the run-up to and during the Olympic and Paralympics Games.

Rosangela Ribeiro, Veterinary Program Manager at World Animal Protection, said: “We are proud to be working with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee to make sure that animals across Rio are safe.”

The partnership includes training for Rio 2106 operational teams in terms of correct animal handling, as well as an initiative to care for and ultimately rehome strays. 

Rio 2016 and World Animal Protection have worked together with the local community to establish a cattery so that street cats can be provided with food, shelter and appropriate medical care, including spaying and testing for diseases. A group of 60 homeless cats will shortly be offered for adoption after undergoing these medical checks, neutering, and vaccination procedures. 

Natalia Kingsbury, a Rio de Janeiro resident who has volunteered helping stray cats for 20 years, was delighted by the initiative, saying: “We are very happy with the support of Rio 2016 and it’s a dream come true that World Animal Protection has rescued and spayed the cats.”

The shelter's new residents are getting used to life off the streets (Photo: Rio 2016/Jorge André)

Protection of animals impacted by the Rio 2016 Games has been an integral part of the organising committee’s planning, ensuring that any stray domestic or wild animals encountered in or around venues are handled in accordance with Brazilian legislation.

This latest initiative goes even further, ensuring a legacy of care and humane treatment for the city’s cat population.