San Marcos Cat Issue

San Marcos is home for many indigenous fish and animals. Yet, there are other animals here that wouldn’t benefit the same from the beautiful rivers and infrastructure. Many people would like to argue cats can be an indoor and outdoor animal to allow their hunting instincts to be fulfilled. Some do not realize that these animals have been bread for our needs and can no longer happily live full lives outdoors in the world we’ve created. Outdoor cats are actually viewed detrimental to the ecosystem and global biodiversity. While there are working cat programs that will benefit pest control on farms this still brings my attention back to the limit lifespan these babies could have.

During my junior year attending Texas State, I lived in a suburbs of San Marcos Texas. It was actually only two minutes away from San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter. In that time I had seen more strays than I have encountered in any city or metroplex. Most of which were all not neutered or spayed, and many were friendly enough for petting, love and even a home. In a five month time span, I had rescued over six cats from just my single block.

Lucky was one of the first cats we rescued. I was walking my friend to her car around 9pm one fall night, when we heard a cat crying in the storm drain. I thought it might have been one of the older strays we feed in need of medical attention. I put my flashlight down there to find only a three week old kitten searching for his mom.  After trying to feed him by tossing food down the drain while he was fending off other strays, I told him I’d be back for him in the morning. There he was. Waiting for my return, knowing he found the right person; still crying for help, a meal and a good hug. I called the shelter to see if they could help rescue him. They explain they have no jurisdiction to go underground and that they had already had many reports in our neighborhood a few nights ago from other people blocks away. He had journeyed all the way to the other side of his neighborhood searching and crying for his mom and siblings. They said “you are just going to let him find his mom”. This was heart breaking. The odds for this cat were all against him. I decided to take things into my own hands with no prior rescue knowledge. I called the fire department and they explain they need the animal control to call them to approve. Which I found upsetting because the animal control said they could do nothing when in reality they could have. I told the nice correspondent the lack of care for this animal and that we would claim it as our own if they help us. She kindly sent a team over to me. Five firefighters and I got flashlights ladders and many different tools to go down and grab this baby.

Lucky is now almost one year old. He inspired a huge part of my heart to rescue animals. It was here, I realized that our shelters only have so many resources to help. Especially with the  surge of cats in San Marcos. It is our job as a community to help if we want to see change. Yet, what is the issue? Well after finding lucky, I began going on walks around my neighborhood to check out how many cats really are here. It was then I found a house with over six cats hanging outside, without neutering, flea medicine or vaccinations.  This was my second accidental rescue. Koda decided to follow me home that day all the way down the block. One of the neighbor of the cat house said, “yeah you can take those cats, the lady won’t mind”. I picked him up scared of him getting hit by a car. Instantly he cuddled on me knowing he’s about to be with his new mom, my bestfriend Dani. After taking him to vet we found out he had worms and was very skinny from eating a flea. We got him neutered and all in good health.

Koda gave me so much insight into what was happening in my neighborhood. A month later I grabbed two more cats from this house, just before the winter storm with the owners knowledge and acceptance. At first, I was nervous this lady, who’s identity I will protect, was going to be mad for taking her cats but it was here I found out she has many more inside. She loves cats and she is constantly having litters of them which makes her have to put many outside. I understand her love for these animals. Every single cat from her house was loving. Yet, many of them that were outside that I was not able to rescue would be seen in the neighborhood with injuries, sickness and pregnant way too early for them to have a healthy pregnancy.

While yes, the issue can start there, other neighbors in Blanco Gardens didn’t like the mass amounts of cats in the street. Along my cat rescue journey, I met Sarah. A women who has sustained many brain surgeries and lives on disability making it her soul purpose to help San Marcos cats. She has seen so many cats in our neighborhood shot with bebe guns, hit by cars and severely mistreated. This extended my fear for these babies. The issue isn’t just that animal control lacks resources. The issue isn’t just people’s lack of pet knowledge. The issue is constant. The issue is a community issue. These cats have many odds against them. I think while yes, this is a temporary home for many college students, it is also becoming a temporary home for way too many cats. We love San Marcos and our river. I think it’s important to extend our care for these little guys we see on every block. Next time you see a black cat cross your car, don’t be superstitious. Instead remind yourself of Lucky; a cat still crying for help, a meal and a good hug.