The agency has announced plans to enlist an organization to relocate approximately 200 cats residing in the vicinity of a historic seaside fortress in Old San Juan.
In SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, a nonprofit organization announced on Thursday that it has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. National Park Service regarding a plan to relocate Puerto Rico’s renowned stray cats from a historic district in the U.S. territory.
The lawsuit, initiated by Maryland-based Alley Cat Allies, follows the federal agency’s announcement four months ago of its intention to contract an animal welfare organization to remove around 200 cats inhabiting the vicinity of a historic seaside fortress in Old San Juan.
The chosen organization would determine the fate of the captured cats, including potential adoption, placement in foster homes, sheltering, or other alternatives. Whether an organization has been contracted for this purpose remains unclear.
Previously, the National Park Service indicated its intention to engage a removal agency if the contracted organization failed to complete the cat removal within six months. However, the agency has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
Both tourists and locals have regarded the cats as both charming and bothersome over the years, with the National Park Service citing population overgrowth in 2022, along with concerns about the presence of urine and feces odors in the area.
Critics of the plan have expressed apprehension, arguing that a six-month timeframe is insufficient to relocate such a large number of cats and fearing potential euthanasia.
In its legal action, Alley Cat Allies has requested additional environmental assessments from the federal agency and urged a judicial determination regarding alleged violations of legislation including the National Environmental Protection Act.