Feral cats on Naval Station Rota, Spain (Kat Nickola)
Newcomers to Naval Station Rota, in Spain, are often welcomed by an unexpected entourage at the Navy Lodge.
Feral cats are a common site around Spain. Groups of them live in towns and villages. Some are welcome while others are not. Rota is no exception.
On Naval Station Rota, there are a few colonies of feral felines. These on-base cats are tolerated because they help control the rats and mice. Rodent-control is their duty. They are under veterinary care; however, they are wild.
Do not feed the feral cats on base, or they may stop fulfilling their duty. In addition, do not let them inside buildings or domesticate them. Doing so leads to nuisance behavior that is difficult to deal with.
Enjoy their presence, and appreciate the role they play in making Naval Station Rota a great duty assignment. Look for our new Welcome to Spain magazine, coming in June of 2024.
