STATE OF CALIFORNIA SEA CLIFF STATE PARK CATS

ACTION ITEM - Help find backyards, barns, or other safe homes for the Sea Cliff Cats
The antiquated method of controlling feral cat populations is to take them to them to the local pound where they would be put to death by lethal injection. In some cases cats are shot to death by your state or federal government. These antiquated methods and their "humane" reasoning continue to be in full use. The more intelligent and true humane method is to work cooperatively with organizations to humanely relocate cats to less public and less environmental sensitive areas. It's up to us to insist on this method and the Sea Cliff State Park Rangers have proven that it's a workable solution.

EMAIL SVAR IF YOU HAVE LEADS FOR HOMES: rescue@svar.org

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
For the past year SVAR has been working with the State of California and Project Purr in Santa Cruz county to address the feral cat issue at Sea Cliff Beach. Initially, the State sought to trap the cats and take them to the local public shelter where they would be killed. After numerous meetings, the State, Project Purr and SVAR reached a working agreement that was favorable to all parties concerned - most importantly the cats. Equally important was SVAR's opportunity to develop new and important relationships in Santa Cruz county. The agreement included:

1. State of California to work cooperatively with Project Purr and SVAR to trap, spay/neuter and relocate feral cats living on the cliffs to environments that were safe. No cat would be trapped for purposes of being euthanized.
2. The cats were trapped only when good homes were found for them.
3. The State assisted with trapping and monitoring as well as tending to public inquiries.
4. Project Purr traps the cats and transports them to SVAR's Animal Medical Center.
5. SVAR provides spay or neuter surgery, a test for viruses (feline leukemia and feline immuno deficiency), vaccines, (leukemia, distemper, rabies), as needed anti biotic medications, dental work, ear treatment, de-worming, and boarding for the first four days of post-op recovery period. All at no charge to the Sea Cliff cats.
6. Project Purr arranges pick up of the cats up at SVAR's Animal Medical Center and transports them to and sets them up in their new home. The relocation work performed by Project Purr is extraordinary given this time consuming effort is rare among animal rescue organizations.
7. The agreement to humanely and safely transition the Sea Cliff feral cats will continue until the Sea Cliff feral cat population is under control.