The Cats of Old San Juan was started as a philanthropic experiment in hopes that people's desire to help those in need and their endless love of cats might merge together to form the perfect charitable package. My name is A/J Jackson and around this time last year, I had the good fortune of finding myself in Puerto Rico for the first time. Just a few months later the devastating wrath of Hurricane Maria would sweep through and destroy much of the beauty I witnessed, leaving millions in a dire situation.
While going through my photos from the trip, I noticed a lot of really interesting images of Old San Juan's street cats. Something about them was captivating, like they were old souls wandering the timeless streets of the barrio. I thought if there is one thing the Internet loves more than anything...it's cats. Our mission is simple: raise money for Roofs for the Caño and the Humane Society of Puerto Rico. That's it! High quality cat portraits to raise money for the place those portraits were taken, 100% for beautiful Puerto Rico.
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| Photo Credit: AJ JACKSON _ Cat by Fountain |
Today, it is estimated that 11% of the population of Puerto Rico is still without power. Many people are without reliable access to clean water. And, for others, damage to buildings and communications infrastructure during the storm has made it difficult to find and keep work. Some estimates suggest that in the wake of Hurricane Maria the poverty rate in Puerto Rico has increased from 44% to 52%, and may reach as high as 59% this year. Here is a great video about why now, six months after the hurricane is still an important time to donate to Puerto Rico disaster relief.
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| Photo Credit AJ JACKSON _ Cat On Car |
Thanks for reading,
A very worthwhile cause. What a lovely set of photos too, I hope they raise a lot of money to help all in need.
ReplyDeletePurrs
Erin
There must be even more needy cats there now than ever before. Makes you wonder if even very many survived all that horror. So sad.
ReplyDeleteI too hope they are able to raise many funds to help out.
This is such a good cause. It has been such tough going for everyone down there, and the cats, owned and feral, deserve support.
ReplyDeleteWonderful cause.....many years ago I visited Puerto Rico with some friends and was struck even then by how many street cats there were. I'm sure since the disaster there are even more people AND cats who need help. These portraits are beautiful - I'm hoping they can help raise money for those who need help.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pam and Teddy too
Such sweeties and thank goodness for those trying to help!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful kitties and yet another good heart in the world. Like yours, Caren.
ReplyDeleteYOU have an incredibly good heart too!!!! xoxo
DeleteCount your blessings when you see the photos and read the story. Share a little of your bounty.
ReplyDeletefelinecafe.net
"bounty?" sadly, there is no bounty here. We also donate to a host of animal causes ALL year...........
DeleteI believe I have been totally misunderstood, or been typing faster than my brain could keep up. I was making no reference to you personally but readers of the article in general who are may be inclined to donate to the cats by purchasing a picture.
Deletethanks so much Greg, I apologize for misunderstanding and personalizing it. No problem, thank you for clarifying! Have a great day!
DeleteSaving our four legged friends is a very worthy cause.
ReplyDeleteHave a purrfect day. ♥♥♥
It is an absolute shame that the peoples in Puerto Rico, still suffer as they do, these many months later. The photo's in today's post are amazing. You are a very talented photographer AJ, thanx for sharing your work here today with us. I hope the profits FAR exceed everyone's expectations ~~ ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful photos for a great cause. Purrs
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful way to bring attention back to the plight of the people (and cats) in Puerto Rico. No matter how little anyone has, he or she probably has so much more than what the majority of Puerto Ricans have any access to... and likewise, have the ability to offer a little help, a little love.
ReplyDelete(Thank you, Caren and Cody, for having this guest post today. xoxo)
you are most welcome!!!
DeleteI posted this post to FB!
ReplyDeleteI am sure he will be happy, thanks!
DeleteIt's been a tough go for the humans there...we can only imagine what it must be like for the feral cats. These photos are beautiful...and we hope lots of $$ is raise to help.
ReplyDeleteA good post. Too often disasters affect humans and we tend to forget that animals are affected too.
ReplyDeleteA pawsome way to raise money to help :)
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
I love what he is doing for Puerto Rico and I love the photos too.
ReplyDeleteWe had no idea a bout the San Juan kitties....thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteHugs madi and mom
What a tragedy of epic proportions. And the cats always suffer the most.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos! It's awful what happened in Puerto Rico but this is a wonderful way to help the kitties.
ReplyDeleteHopefully this effort can help raise a bit of money for the P.R. charities.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this! It's a very sad situation that they're still in. And reminding people about Puerto Rico and raising funds for them is wonderful. And with these beautiful images, too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images. It's such an ongoing ordeal for people and animals there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, Caren.
xxoo
Maggie
Dat are a pawesome cause and those pictures are just beautiful. Mama says there was just so much devastation wif Maria and wif Irma dat there are still people around us rebuilding and some of da homes dat were flooded da families just left cause they couldn't bare to come back. It's so sad!!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Matt (& Matilda)