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Silicon Valley Animal Rescue Helped Postpone
The U.S. Government's Plan To Trap and Kill Cats
And Wildlife Living In Redwood Shores
Background
In 1998 the US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) mandated that Redwood City implement a predator management plan (PMP) as a condition to renovating a levee. The levee work was necessary to secure flood insurance for new housing in Redwood Shores. USFWS proposed that the PMP was necessary to protect endangered species, (California Clapper Rail "CCR" and the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse).
Citizens were unaware that PMP was to take place on November 1, 1998, and that the program involved the trapping and killing of animals. A community meeting was held October 14, 1998 to respond to the community's questions (about the PMP). SVAR joined several animal protection organizations (Bay Area Coalition of Animal Protection Organizations, BACAPO) to oppose the PMP and to call for a 90-day moratorium. Redwood City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium. Subsequently, US Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbit provided a 30-day moratorium to develop non-lethal alternatives.
On December 16, 1998 BACAPO met with representatives from USFWS, Audubon Society, Redwood City, and Congressman Lanto's staff to present a proposal for non-lethal alternatives. The 30 day moratorium on trapping and killing was extended, and BACAPO was directed to develop a more detailed presentation of it's non-lethal alternatives.
Status
As of today, trapping continues in Redwood Shores as part of the US Government's mandate to protect endangered species. However, the killing of cats and wildlife was prevented by setting up a program whereby any such trapped animals would be relocated.
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