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El Segundo, CA 90245-3060
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Last Updated:
05/21/2013 01:41 AM
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Refinery donates $5000.00 -- Thursday November 19th, 2009
Refinery donates $5,000 to help its feral cats population
By Natalie Jarvey Staff Writer
Posted: 11/19/2009 08:53:13 PM PST
The Chevron refinery in El Segundo has donated $5,000 to some of its neediest neighbors: the feral cats that share the oil company's parks and open land.
The donation to GRACE Animal Rescue Inc. will help the nonprofit manage the population of 200 felines that has developed from household pets abandoned on the Chevron property.
"In today's economy, when it's actually cheaper to kill, they chose life," said Vanessa Bell, executive director of GRACE. "It made me rethink everything I used to think about oil companies."
Feral cats have been a problem at the El Segundo Boulevard facility for the past decade, and efforts to spay and neuter the animals have not controlled their population.
About two months ago, GRACE, an El Segundo group that cares for and adopts out feral cats, offered to help Chevron manage the animals.
"We were so excited to have the help," said Lily Craig, the refinery's external affairs manager. "I had a big smile on my face when I heard about them. It's been a great partnership."
Chevron responded to the effort by offering some assistance of its own, donating the money to finance the cost of animal care.
The money will go toward neutering and deworming the cats, among other veterinary visits. It will also help provide daily meals for the felines.
"It's just the right thing to do," Craig said.
GRACE volunteers are monitoring the feral cats and hope to return them to families
through its adoption program with the Petco at the Crossroads Shopping Center in Torrance.
In the meantime, Chevron workers have been careful with the animals, setting up protected feeding areas around their facility and keeping the cats away from dangerous parts of the plant.
"It's very expensive with the feral cats, but it's definitely a labor of love," Bell said. "I feel for them. They can't ask for help."
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