A cat's best friend

by Elizabeth Sundstrom, Best Friends Network volunteer

Anna Sandoval is a woman with a mission. Her dream is to own and operate a sanctuary for any stray or sick animals in need. For the past nine years she has been feeding and caring for a feral cat population minutes from her home in Richmond, California, just across the bay from San Francisco. A lifelong love of animals and her commitment to the two colonies she rescued, keeps her coming back every morning without fail.

To the uninformed joggers, hikers, and bicyclists who frequent the trail, the area looks devoid of cats, except for the occasional condo-dwelling feline roaming the parking lot that abuts the path. But when Anna’s cats hear the wheels of her cart rolling down the asphalt walkway, carrying casserole-sized trays of canned and dry food, the 28 residents begin pouring from the bushes and shrubs before she is even in sight. Some sit on the trail patiently awaiting her appearance, while others roll on the ground, stretching and scratching in anticipation of their morning meal.

Responding to a Need

Anna’s involvement with the cats was accidental. After moving back to the Bay Area from Seattle nine years ago, she took frequent walks on the Marina Bay Trail that encircles the houses and condominiums by the Richmond Marina. Before long she began to notice a number of cats in a certain area by the Meeker Slough. This area, the approximate length of three city blocks, was covered in brush, trees, and shrubs that provided the cats with shelter from predators and the elements. Cats rummaged for food in the open dumpsters that serviced the condominiums. Anna spotted pregnant and injured cats and numerous kittens of various ages. She heard that another woman was feeding them but would soon be moving to Spokane. She made contact with the woman and when it was time for the move, Anna found herself gifted with a 10-pound bag of cat food and sincere thanks for taking over the project.

Anna established feeding stations for her charges and began counting and naming the regulars. Among them were Angie and her silver-coated daughter, Angel; Beanie, Teanie, Houdini, and Buster. As she came to know the cats better, each one took on an identity. One day she found a note on a nearby tree from a woman named Lisa Pinsker, who indicated her interest in helping Anna get the cats spayed and neutered. Anna had already begun rescuing the sickest and youngest of the population but she did not know which shelters were no-kill facilities. She immediately accepted Lisa's offer.

Getting Organized

Lisa and Anna worked well together. Anna loved the hands-on aspects of working with the cats while Lisa, who was completing her thesis from home, used her computer to locate agencies and veterinarians that would provide services without charging exorbitant fees. Soon both women were trapping cats for sterilization at Fix Our Ferals and grabbing adoptable kittens for surrender to the Marin Humane Society. The women lost count of how many kittens they rescued and surrendered or placed in foster homes. But within seven months the original cat population of 75 adult cats had been reduced by 47. Many of these cats were adoptable because they had begun life as family pets. When the nearby apartments were converted to condos, a number of departing residents abandoned their cats.

Over time, Anna came to realize that there were not one but two colonies. She named one the North Camp, aka Beekie Camp, the other Angel's camp, after the beautiful silver feline who charmed everyone while never allowing herself to be tamed. Both camps were located in thick brush but Anna wanted the cats to have additional shelter and protection from rain and wind. A friend donated a couple of dog igloos. Anna purchased plastic storage tubs with lids and cut doors in the sides of each one. This allowed her to remove the lids when the bins needed cleaning. She used insulating material, towels, blankets and hay for bedding. There are currently 28 bins, one for each remaining cat, all tucked away in the shrubs out of sight of passers-by and dogs. Water and food bowls are changed daily.

Dealing with Community Concern

Not everyone in the community applauded Anna's efforts to care for the colony. Because Marina Bay Trail is managed by the Parks Department, Anna needed to convince local officials that a well-managed feral colony would not damage property or discourage park usage. At least one park official disagreed and wanted the cats rounded up and destroyed. Residents were also concerned for a variety of reasons. Some feared that leaving cat food in the open would attract wild, potentially rabid animals, posing health risks to humans and pets. Others assumed the colony would continue to grow as new strays discovered the food.

In addition some people were polarized by favoritism of one species over another. Dog walkers occasionally ignored the leash law and allowed their dogs to chase the cats. Bird watchers in the area were convinced the cats posed a threat to the numerous and varied bird population. One bird watcher was so irate that he shouted "murderer" to Anna whenever he passed on his bike while she was tending the cats. On more than one occasion she asked her critics to stop and talk to her so that she could explain that TNR (trap-neuter-release) had stunted the colony's growth while daily feedings eliminated the need for constant hunting and scavenging. Anna believes the cats do not pose a serious threat to the birds because they tend not to stray from the colony and the birds make their homes in other areas of the park.

A series of meetings occurred with the mayor, parks' director and home owners association to discuss their concerns. Compromises were made and an agreement was reached. Anna would feed the cats before 11:00 a.m. every morning. Before leaving the area, most of the uneaten food located along the trail's edge, would be collected, leaving behind just a handful of feeding stations not visible from the path. All leftovers would be collected before dark so as not to attract nocturnal animals including raccoons and possums. It took 3 1/2 years to spay and neuter all the cats but there are currently no breeding females and the population has stabilized because the colonies, which have since merged, do not allow new cats to join.

The Colony Today

These days there is less resistance to the feral cats at Marina Bay. There are still a few disapproving bird watchers and occasional off-leash dogs who give chase. But most people in the community who have observed Anna's success are now pro-feeding. Local police officers know her and when they see the laminated sign in her double-parked car window that reads, "RPD (Richmond Police Department): Please do not ticket. Feeding kitties at tennis court. Back in a few minutes," they honor her request.

Lisa obtained her degree and relocated to Kansas City four years ago leaving Anna full responsibility for the cats. Angel disappeared last December while Anna was out of town for a few days. Although the ferals don't cross the slough unless chased by another animal, Anna fears that may have been the case with Angel and she was caught in one of the traps set by the owner of a restoration project. Anna learned that a silver cat had been caught and surrendered to the pound but numerous daily trips in search of Angel proved fruitless. Anna still misses Angel and wonders about her fate but she is surrounded and comforted by her many other charges including Scarlet, Buddy, Piglet and Fat Tail just to name a few.

Anna is also vigilant in monitoring their numbers. Periodically, she holds “cat nip cocktail hours” that are so well attended, it allows her to take an accurate head count of her charges. Working closely with two sympathetic vets, Anna monitors each cat's health, administers medication and surrenders any cat who is suffering and beyond help. Fortunately, those situations are rare. Only five or six of the original cats have died. Others, like Mouth, who suffers from teeth and gum problems, are carefully watched, taken to the clinic, and medicated as needed. These are amazing statistics since the ASPCA estimates that feral cats with caretakers usually have a life expectancy of no more than five years.

Anna has a successful career and works full time but admits that her true passion is the animals. Her reputation has grown and she is well-known in surrounding areas as well. People call her for advice about colonies in their neighborhoods and work places. She lends traps, provides transportation for feline clinic visits, and uses her garage as a recovery room for newly spayed and neutered patients. Females require a 2-night stay while males only need one night of recuperation. She most recently accepted responsibility for a feral colony of seven at a nearby PG&E plant.

Anna has three rescued cats of her own, plus a foster kitten, and admits that it is a struggle caring for so many animals all by herself, especially when her job takes her out of town. However, “these cats are my passion.  I am compelled  and committed to caring for and protecting them,” she states.  “I love them all as if they were all living  with me.” When asked how others can help, she responds without hesitation. Volunteer feeders and donations of food and supplies would all be welcomed. The cats consume 144 pounds of kibble each month and another 96 cans of wet food. There are a few volunteers who will feed the cats if Anna is sick or traveling but no one who is willing to assume responsibility on a regular basis.

“I dream of a sanctuary where all of them would be housed in warm shelters and live the balance of their years in a safe and protected environment,” Anna says wistfully. In the meantime, she is saving local cats, one colony at a time.

What you can do

• If you live in the Richmond area and would like to donate time or supplies, contact Anna at 510.672.0437.

• Spay or neuter your cats. Contact your local SPCA or Humane Society for information regarding low-cost clinics and locations in your area or visit catnippers for Best Friends program information in Southern California.

• Become a volunteer at your local shelter or ask if they know of any local feral colonies that need volunteers.

• Read more about this subject in the Focus on Felines campaign.

Story and main photo by Best Friends Volunteer News writer, Elizabeth Sundstrom
Additional stock photos by Clay Myers, Best Friends photographer