Jetty Cats

Last week i went on a walk near Mission Beach.  Normally i don't go down to the Jetty because it's usually crowded and the more people, the less birds i will see.  But this day there were very few people out.  I walked along the jetty (below) and i saw a group of Wigeons and Buffleheads.  

But then something caught my eye, something out of place:

Every step i took, i just saw another cat.

What were these kitties doing out here?  They were surrounded by the ocean and the bay, sleeping on rocks!  Then i started to notice, there were food dishes, water bowls, pieces of carpet and blankets.  Someone or many people were taking care of them.  They were clearly feral. While most did not run away due to my presence, if i tried to get close, they did move away cautiously. While they are feral cats they don't fit the general mold of a feral cat.  First, as you can see they all look VERY well fed. Also they don't dart away the second they see you.  Since they live on an area that receives a lot of foot traffic, i guess that would explain it.  they see numerous people daily, they're used it.  Just don't try to pick them up.  I was so worried about them, i went home and googled them.  I appears these cats have quite a following (they even have their own Facebook page) There are hundreds of people who have a hand in taking care of them.  They get veterinary care when needed (they've all been spayed and neutered), they receive food, water and flea control. But clearly this is not an ideal life for them. In a perfect world there would be homes for all of them, but apparently there are still people 'dumping' their unwanted pets on the jetty.  With that it will continue to be an endless cycle.  I don't wish a lot, but i really WISH i could take one or two of them.  But the truth is i simply do not have the space or the money to have another cat.  Plus i do believe, my young man Leo would not appreciate sharing his mommy with someone else. Soon as i have some spare funds i am going to donate some cat food to the ladies that care for them. Until them, i will go out with some food and see if i can make a friend or two.   But i will say knowing there are so many people taking care of them, it gives me hope.  When you have enough people that care, that makes all the difference in the world.