It was an ordinary day. Leafing through my morning newspaper when I came upon a story titled "Iconic stray cats to be relocated." Story came out of SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico and was written by Dánica Coto who writes for The Associated Press. The subhead that followed was...Feral felines will be removed from grounds surrounding historic fortress. Hey...why do they think the historic fortress is such a great place to visit? And...why do so many cat lovers find it a special place? Guess by now you know that I love cats and am responding to the plan with dismay! The agency that plans to remove the cats said it will contract an animal welfare organization to remove the 200 cats estimated to live on the 75 acres surrounding a fortress at the San Juan National Historic Site that the federal agency operates in Old San Juan. Did I read that right...75 ACRES? And...just how many rats do they think might live on those 75 waterfront acres? As of today...not many...due to the 200 cats that inhabit the 75 acres around the waterfront property that attracts all those visitors and money to the property. And...if the organization hired to get rid of the cats doesn't do their job within 6 months, the park service will have to hire a removal service that will more than likely eliminate the cats. And, what do they mean by "eliminate" them? Hey...anyone who has ever owned a cat or two knows that they will never be eliminated especially along a waterfront property. As of now, cats of all sizes, colors and temperaments meander the seaside trails that surround the 16th Century fortress known as "El Morro" which overlooks an expanse of deep turquoise waters in the northwestern point of the San Juan capital. They are believed to be the descendants of colonial-era cats, while others were brought to the capital by legendary San Juan Mayor Felisa Ricón de Gautier to kill the rats in the mid-20th century. Since that time they have multiplied in numbers to the enchantment of some residents and to the disgust of others. One thing they do bring to the area are visitors who love to take photos of the cats and perhaps spend a few bucks in the process. Volunteers with the group "Save a Gato" tend to the felines. The group feeds, spays and neuters the cats and places them up for adoption. Seems the cat population has grown too large and now the visitors will no longer come to spend their money. So...the cats must go! And, perhaps along with the cats will go the tourists? Anyone ever think of that? Many who live in the area that attracts tourists and their money realize that many of the tourists that bring with them a big wallet do so because they want to see the cats! One of the residents of the area described the cats as "one of the 'Wonders of Old San Juan'". The cats even have their own statue in the history area where they roam. "These cats are unique to San Juan," resident Danna Wakefield said. She visits the cats weekly and said, "Me and many other people love that walk because of the cats. Otherwise, it would be a boring walk." Her favorite cat is a black one with golden eyes that she calls "Cross." And...people want to get rid of them?? As of now...the U.S. Park Service plans to remove feeding stations. Some claim the stations draw rats. Duh!! And...don't the rats draw cats? You get rid of all the cats and in no time you will be overrun with rats! Which would you rather have? I do understand that many residents evidently abandon their cats at feeding stations, but whose fault is that? The people! Perhaps a heafty fine for the people who abandon their cats might be a better idea. An animal welfare service has a plan of trapping the cats and placing them up for adoption. Hopefully that plan will work and the stray cats will find a good home in the near future. But, totally removing all the cats could be a disaster for the tourist trade of the town and a boom for the rat infestation of the town. I guess...time will tell. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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