Shelter Recovers Large Feral Cat Colony

Animal control officers with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS) are in the process of removing a colony of approximately 100 feral cats from a rural property in Boulder Creek.

Through a partnership with a local nonprofit, Heading Home Animal Rescue (HHAR), SCCAS is seeking to place these cats with guardians who will care for them. Following assessment at SCCAS, they will receive veterinary care and be spay/neutered, vaccinated, and given a microchip ID.

What started as a small number multiplied when a resident began feeding cats without proper spay/neuter care. The resident asked for assistance, which will be ongoing for several weeks. It is SCCAS policy to never turn away an animal for any reason.

Large colonies of feral cats can be overwhelming to caretakers and have serious impacts on their environment. Neighbors may be forced to deal with feces and urine in gardens, on cars, or in garages and feral cats often agitate indoor cats. Wildlife populations, primarily songbirds and small reptiles, can plummet due to predation. Streams and other water sources can become contaminated by waste.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is heavily populated this time of year. Following large-scale rescues such as this, SCCAS resources can be stretched thin and donations can help deal with unexpected circumstances and expenses. Please consider helping by donating at: http://www.scanimalshelter.org/donate.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is an open admission shelter that welcomes EVERY animal in need. Our goal is to be a humane resource for the community by providing a safety net and second chance for local animals.

There are two locations where owners can find and recover lost pets, adopt new animal companions, or sign up for PLANNED PetHood, our low cost spay/neuter program available for all resident pets. The support of our community is crucial to sustaining and expanding these services. Our success is achieved through a variety of life-saving services and programs which are described in detail on our website, www.scanimalshelter.org.

•••

The Heading Home Animal Rescue (HHAR) program, called Working Whiskers, educates prospective owners, inspects the location for cats’ safety, and does supportive follow-up to help ensure the cats are cared for in their working homes, often barns, gardens, or vineyards. HHAR is SCCAS’ most important placement partner, taking in more than all other placement partners combined. http://www.headinghomerescue.org.