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ENCINITAS: Officials say feral cat colony must be removed
Volunteer has been caring for cats at San Elijo Campground for 12 years
By RUTH MARVIN WEBSTER - Staff Writer | ∞
Two feral cats eat food that Leucadia resident Patti Mosel brought them at the San Elijo Campground in Cardiff. State parks officials say the cats must be removed from the area. (Courtesy photo) ENCINITAS --- A state parks official said this week that a feral cat colony must be removed from the San Elijo Campground within the next 30 days.
Brian Ketterer, sector superintendent for the California State Park system, said he met Wednesday with Patti Mosel, the Leucadia resident who has been caring for the colony, to deliver the news. He said he has given Mosel a month to trap and remove the animals.
"It was a tough decision," Ketterer said in a telephone interview after the meeting.
Ketterer said that the state park policy prohibiting feral cat colonies in state campgrounds figured heavily in his decision, but that he was also concerned with protecting two native lizards that live in the area.
"We have two lizards --- the California Legless and the Orange Throated Woodtail lizards ---- that are both on the Special Concern List of the Endangered Species Act and they (the cats) are taking up habitat that those lizards should have," he said.
Mosel said she was extremely disappointed in the decision.
"The campground has always had a feral colony and these cats have little or no impact on native habitat and they deserve to live out their natural lives there on the bluffs," she said.
Feral cats are those that have reverted to a wild state, either because they were born in the wild or have become separated from or dumped by their owners and learned to live outdoors.
Most truly feral cats cannot be adopted, experts said, because it would be like trying to make a squirrel or a raccoon a household companion. However, some of the cats ---- if they are taken from the wild early enough and have the right temperament and training ---- may become good pets.
Mosel said she has been caring for the cats for roughly 12 years and that the colony has shrunk from about 70 cats to roughly a dozen now. In addition to bringing them meals, Mosel traps kittens to adopt them out and takes adult cats to veterinarian clinics to be sterilized or treated for injuries.
Ketterer acknowledged that relocating the cats will be difficult, but said he would work with Mosel and the state Department of Fish and Game to try to find a place for them.
"The one thing everyone on both sides of the issue doesn't want to see is that the cats are euthanized," said Ketterer, adding that Mosel is looking into a sanctuary in Fresno where they might be relocated.
Mosel said the sanctuary, which is run by volunteers, charges $30 a month per cat. She said that right now there is no alternative for the cats besides euthanasia ---- a heartbreaking outcome and one that has left her upset and frustrated.
"Here's the thing: The state park says it wants to protects its native habitat, but over the years, I have seen nothing that they have done to protect it," she said. "They never stepped in and saved anything."
Contact staff writer Ruth Marvin Webster at (760) 901-4074 or rwebster@nctimes.com.
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Sally wrote on May 15, 2008 3:40 PM:Removing this feral cat colony from the campground is a terrible thing. This is a well cared for and maintained colony. These few cats have no impact on the campground in any way! They should be allowed to live out their days on their bluff with the care that they are used to having.
John E wrote on May 15, 2008 6:52 PM:Patti Mosel has been doing a superb job managing the feral cat colony, which, under her watch, has shrunk from 70 to 12 animals. Why not simply let her keep up the good work? The adult cats are all getting spayed/neutered, the kittens are getting good homes, and the colony will gradually shrink out of existence over the next few years, as the cats live out their natural lifespans. Why the sudden rush to "solve" a non-problem?
Lizardlover wrote on May 15, 2008 8:12 PM:It's ironic that the feral feline (advocate) is so indignant at the State Park System for trying to save a lizard or two that are actually endangered.
If this woman truly cared for the felines, she would have removed them to her home years ago, instead of using the campground as her own backyard.
Larry wrote on May 15, 2008 8:26 PM:Nothing goes together better than an old lady and a bunch of feral cats.
Ketterer wrote on May 15, 2008 9:24 PM:What a bunch of junk. Ketterer says it was a tough decision. Ha. He already made up his mind when this story came out last week. Then he pulls the old "gotta protect the lizard" rabbit out of his bag of tricks. Well, thanks to this bureaucrat, county animal services costs will increase in order to take care of the cats (that were already been taken care of). I'm sure the weathly in the neighborhood (the ones complaining) will sleep better tonight...knowing that these cats are not roaming around. People are so self-centered. Sorry Patti. You did a wonderful thing and unfortunately our government is unable to recognize it. I recognize your contribution. Please, Please let the public know how we can help...if you need help transporting or possible adoptions! NCT...this citizen would very much appreciate a follow-up story or contact information to help Patti. Thank You.
No cats wrote on May 15, 2008 9:40 PM:The woman who supports these cats can be the creepy neighborhood "Cat Lady" at home. Why do they have to be in a a state park?
Hank wrote on May 15, 2008 10:50 PM:These animals should be live trapped and moved to an animal shelter.
Feline wrote on May 15, 2008 11:04 PM:These "feral" cats are no more than rodents with good PR. Off with them. They aren't pets, and they aren't cute. They provide absolutely no benefit to the animal kingdom. I hate to sound so harsh, but feral cats are just big rats.
Jack wrote on May 15, 2008 11:38 PM:I agree... cats are like rats.... keep them out of our state parks and let the native lizards live.
To Lizardlover wrote on May 16, 2008 7:10 AM:Did you actually read the article? the lizards are a special concern and not endangered.
Remove the cats wrote on May 16, 2008 12:25 PM:Feral cats kill native songbirds, and likely the native lizards. You would be quite mistaken to think the cats subsist on the provided cat food alone! Trap the cats and remove them from state parks. If they are not adoptable, euthanize. Where I live, a "leash law" applies to cats as well as dogs. If the animal is not on a leash or confined, it is trappable.
Nancy wrote on May 16, 2008 2:40 PM:A well managed feral colony doesn't kill songbirds or lizards. When this colony is removed, more cats will move into the campground & the cycle will start over again. Trapping & taking them to an aminal shelter guarantees that they will be killed. They can't be adopted out because they're feral. They need to stay where thy are.
Chester wrote on May 16, 2008 2:52 PM:I say move the old lady with the cats to a trailer park in Oceanside with all the other land lizards.
Jamie wrote on May 16, 2008 7:13 PM:I can see it now. Just like what happened at Liberty Station. The cats will be removed and in three years, Feral Cat Coalition will be asked to come back in and take care of their BREEDING feral cat problem. Leave the sterile colony and the caretaker there. The caretaker can identify and remove any new cat 'dumped' or abandoned in the park.
Nancy wrote on May 16, 2008 9:56 PM: To Chester: Your ignorance and intolerance speak for themselves.
John wrote on May 21, 2008 10:41 AM:To those who keep stating feral cats deplete songbird population, one only needs to do some research such as reading Tabor's book The Wildlife of the Domestic Cat. 3 to 7% of the feral cats' stomach contents were that of birds. the rest were of bugs, and other food sources found in garbage cans and so forth. Removing a colony does nothing except create a vacuum effect. Where have all the cats come from? YOUR CAT PERHAPS THAT YOU DITCHED?????
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