Comfy hammocks, toys and lots of cuddles from hotel staff are among the offerings to approximately 50 cats living a lavish lifestyle at a sanctuary created just for them at Iberostar Hotel in St James. Open since 2022, the facility has groomed the feline furballs into perfect candidates for adoption.

Cat sanctuary coordinator Jessica Vasquez explained that the project was a humane way to deal with strays that showed up at the hotel and decided not to leave.

“The sanctuary project began because many colonies of cats arrived at the complex and the management decided to take a responsible decision with nature and the environment. We started to spay and neuter them,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“The purpose of the project is to give the cats in adoption, already spayed and neutered, with no cost to the staff and the Jamaican community. We also want other hotels to have the initiative to spay and neuter and to think of nature and the environment,” Vasquez added.

Iberostar has partnered with the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) to ensure the animals get the best possible medical care. The hotel also has a campaign dubbed Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR).

“We have TNR campaign every three months and JSPCA Clinic Montego Bay for emergencies daily,” Vasquez said.

Even as they work on population control and adoption to decrease the number of cats on property, Iberostar has put in place stringent hygiene and security measures for the comfort-loving feline and staff who care for them.

The project has received the thumbs up from Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association President Robin Russell.

“It’s a commendable project worth emulating. Kudos to the management of Iberostar,” he told the Observer during an event at the hotel.

Individuals interested in adopting any of the cats may contact Vasquez at (888) 774-0040. Though they’re enjoying hotel living, all these cats need is a home filled with love.