CUBAN AMIGOS.: STRAY DOGS & CATS IN HAVANA
When NYC based pet and portrait photographer Emmy Park first visited Cuba in 2015 what stood out to her, alongside the beautiful vintage cars and stunning architectural styles, was the number of stray cats and dogs that were roaming the streets.
In a country where wages are capped and money is scarce, the means to look after and spay/neuter the animals can be difficult. But despite this many Cubans are animal lovers and Emmy was taken with their obvious affection for their furry and hairless friends.
Since 2015, Emmy has been documenting the residents with their pets and strays as seen on her Instagram account @thedogsofcuba.
“I started Cuba Dogumentary to show the real Cuba in the way I see it,” says Emmy. “I think it is important to show the way of life of the dogs and cats in Cuba and raise awareness so that others can join and help support the animal rescue initiatives and volunteers in Cuba.”
Her series of images ‘Amigos’ is a stunning set of portraits and candid shots of people with their pets. “When people realised that I was just shooting dogs and cats, Cubans would often bring their pup out and show the pet to me to have them photographed. It was very sweet.”
With her images, Emmy has gone on to raise both awareness and money for several animal charities. Hosting pop-up photography exhibitions, the sales of images and postcards have gone to purchasing medicinal supplies alongside people donating useful items like dog collars and leads. Emmy has teamed up with Alexandra Oppmann, owner of Alma Cuba Shop in Miramar, Havana, Cuba, selling postcards of some of her dog and cat images with all profits donated to CEDA (Cubanos en Defensa de los Animales).
“I decided to do this because Cubans do not have the same accessibility [to veterinary care] as people do in the States. Flea, tick and mange are common ailments of street animals and it is often very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to find these basic medicines in Cuba.”
As an animal lover Emmy, who also volunteers for animal rescue organisations in her home city, says it is impossible for her to sit back and not help the animals that she has seen. “Through my images, I hope to raise awareness of the situation in Cuba and encourage others to also think about bringing medicines and supplies that could save the lives of the street dogs and cats.”
Alongside her Dogs of Cuba Instagram feed, you can see Emmy’s other accounts @thecatsofcuba @cubaonwheels @eyesoncuba that all give a special insight into her journey around the country.
For the full story and gallery check out the latest issue available here
