Gatotitlán 2025: date and activities of the cat festival in CDMX

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On February 22, the San Fernando Pantheon Museum, located in the Guerrero neighborhood of Mexico City, will be the setting for the first edition of the Gatotitlán Festival 2025, an event that seeks to promote the care, adoption, and responsible coexistence with cats. According to the capital’s Ministry of Culture, this initiative arises in response to citizen complaints about the abandonment of cats in the venue, felines that have been dubbed “catacumberitos.”

The festival, which will take place from 12:00 to 18:00 hours, will include a wide variety of cultural, artistic, and community activities, all with free admission. Among the proposals are photography and drawing workshops taught by professionals from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), dramatized visits, historical tours, and musical performances. In addition, a “cat bazaar” and a “croquetón” will be organized to collect food, toys, and other items for the benefit of homeless cats.

“As part of the Comprehensive Care Plan for Feline Fauna of the San Fernando Pantheon Museum, the CDMX Culture Secretariat presents ‘Gatotitlán’, a festival that will be held every three months to raise awareness and promote the care of the feline community that lives in the enclosure,” the agency detailed on social media.

The Gatotitlán 2025 Festival promises to be a unique experience for cat lovers and the general public. In addition to cultural and artistic activities, at the bazaar, attendees will be able to find various products related to the “cat universe”: from crafts to pet accessories.

In addition, the “croquetón” and “sobretón” will be key points of the festival, as they will allow the collection of food, toys, beds and other items for homeless cats. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in specialized workshops and learn more about the history of the San Fernando Pantheon Museum through guided and dramatized tours.

Although this will be the first edition of this event, the authorities have announced that the event will be repeated every three months, which will allow for monitoring the actions in favor of the cats of the pantheon.

A joint effort to protect the “catacumberitos”

According to the Secretary of Culture of Mexico City, Ana Francis Mor, the feline population of the San Fernando Pantheon Museum amounts to approximately 40 cats, although it is not ruled out that the number could be higher.

In a press conference, Mor explained that, although the agency does not have direct powers for the care of the animals, it does seek to contribute to the cultural change around the protection of cats and other companion species.

The official explained that, after talking with neighbors, activists and animal protection associations, agreements were reached to guarantee the well-being of the felines. Among the measures adopted are the sterilization of cats, the promotion of their responsible adoption and the creation of a protocol for coexistence that includes specific times for those in charge of feeding them to enter the premises.

“We have signed a coexistence agreement that was built with the help of museum workers, who also needed a frame of reference, since they are responsible for taking care of this space,” said Mor.

Actions for the welfare of abandoned cats

According to the Secretary of the Environment of Mexico City, headed by Julia Álvarez Icaza, the cats of the pantheon have already been registered in the Single Registry of Companion Animals (RUAC). In addition, measures such as sterilization, responsible adoption and the creation of a feeding and cleaning protocol will be implemented. These actions seek to promote harmonious coexistence between neighbors, activists and museum workers.

The festival also coincides with the celebration of International Cat Day, commemorated on February 20, which reinforces its focus on raising awareness about the care of these animals.

According to the Secretary of Culture, the event not only seeks to address the problem of abandoned cats in the enclosure, but also to promote a perspective focused on respect and responsibility towards animals.

The San Fernando Pantheon Museum, located at 17 San Fernando Street, has become an emblematic space not only for its historical value, but also for its role in protecting the “cat-eaters.” With this festival, it is hoped not only to address the immediate needs of abandoned cats, but also to raise awareness about the importance of adoption and responsible care of animals.

Source: infobae