Dear Mr. Delgado Burgos,          

It has come to our attention that your organization has announced a “clean up” of community cats at the Chalets De La Playa in Vega Baja this weekend. We are writing on behalf of many residents, (our foundation President being one), that strongly oppose this cruel, ineffective practice. Let us be honest. We all know you have no intention of rehoming these cats. In fact. Many are likely feral and will not acclimate to a home. Must we remind you that Vega Baja was in the NATIONAL news when the city rounded up dogs and threw them off of a bridge? I can assure you this act of rounding up cats here will result in many angry residents and horrified public once again. 

Did you know that removing cats from a community is ineffective? It actually will create MORE cats into the environment due to a “Vacuum Effect”. This is due to lack of competition, now allowing new- UN ALTERED cats to move into their place. In fact, by leaving the community cats that are currently there, you are helping to stop new cats from coming in as there is not enough resources for them. Please reference this article for more information: https://www.alleycat.org/resources/the-vacuum-effect-why-catch-and-kill-doesnt-work/

The cats that are in the Chalets are in a Trap/Neuter/Release program and have been by residents for 7 years. These cats are our rodent control. 

By removing these cats, you will be contributing to cat overpopulation in Vega Baja. We as an organization, as well as many of the residents do not want these cats removed. They are not a nuisance and they are not reproducing. Removing them is nothing more than abuse. We are prepared to take this matter to all media outlets should you continue with the planned slaughter.