Project Bay Cat has reduced the feral cat population living along the Bay Trail in Foster City, Calif., by 30 percent, reported the San Mateo County Times. In 2004, there were more than 170 feral cats. Now, it is down to 129 cats.
The problem was pretty bad, said Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Miller. One of the problems was the mess that was being created by people leaving food for the cats on the levee.
To help reduce the feral cat population, Project Bay Cat, an effort which began in 2004 by the Homeless Cat Network, Foster City and the Sequoia Audubon Society, began spaying and neutering the cats, protecting the bird habitats and educating the public about the legal implications of pet abandonment.
Currently, only nine cats need to be spayed or neutered and more than 60 cats and kittens have been adopted, according to the newspaper. Project Bay Cat is now in its final phase of ongoing maintenance. Food and water will be provided for the cats and volunteers will try to trap the remaining unaltered felines.
Four signs were placed along the trail discouraging pet abandonment, asking users to call police if they see suspicious activity and forbidding feeding other than by registered feeders.
Those signs have helped increase the vigilance among trail users, said Cimeron Morrissey, Homeless Cat Network cat manager. It just makes a huge difference when the community is involved and they become a part of it.
Posted: March 28, 2006, 3:00 p.m. EST