Feral cat colonies in Michigan at risk

• Tweet

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., July 27 (UPI) -- Feral cat colonies in Michigan sites like an auto assembly plant in the city of Sterling Heights are facing safety and relocation risks, animal activists say.

Animal activists said officials at the Chrysler assembly plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., are attempting to find foster homes for cats living at the plant, Some of the animals have been found amid the plant's dangerous machinery, The Detroit Free Press said Monday.

However, relocating the felines could prove traumatizing to the animals, activists say.

"These cats are in dire need of help," All About Animals Rescue clinic director Pam Laird said. "Once you start doing things to their habita t... it looks like there are more because you've taken away their shelter."

The Free Press said in addition to the Sterling Heights plant, which Chrysler is plans to close in 2010, feral cat colonies have been found in the Michigan cities of Hazel Park and Warren.

"We want to continue to work with everyone and find a resolution that everyone is comfortable with," Chrysler spokesman Max Gates said of his company's efforts regarding the cats.