The United States National Park Service (NPS) revealed a plan last week to remove hundreds of stray cats from a historic site in Puerto Rico's capital over the next year. The agency announced plans to hire an animal welfare organization for the removal of approximately 200 cats inhabiting 75 acres around a fortress. NPS further added that if the selected organization does not succeed in removing the felines within six months, it would hire a removal agency.
First, many people regard the free-roaming cats as part of the site's charm. Second, six months is not a feasible time window for removing so many cats. Third, even if all of the cats are humanely removed and relocated, this will not solve the problem of stray cats at Paseo del Morro, as the absence of cats will create a vacuum that will merely attract more cats. The most humane solution is to trap the cats, have them vaccinated and neutered, and return them to the site. The presence of cats will deter more cats from moving in.
Please rethink your plans for cat removal.
