Cal State Long Beach has its own cat lady – and she’s saving the university some money.
Dorothy Burstein, a native of Los Alamitos, Calif., is one of a few dedicated volunteers at CSULB who take care of the school’s domestic cats turned wild. She said that thanks to Beach Cats, CSULB does not have to spend tax dollars to address the feline population.
“We are doing this for the university,” Burstein said. “Feral cats have been here since the university opened in 1949. They were originally from Bixby Ranch.”
Burstein volunteers her time through CSULB’s Beach Cats, a group of volunteers and faculty who dedicate their time to caring for the feral cats. The group has operated since the university’s opening.
According to Burstein, the cats are fed once a day at six secret locations throughout campus. In addition to giving them fresh food and water, Burstein gives the cats anti-parasite medication.
“We donate our time and money, [up to $5,000 per year],” Burstein said. “We also care for any cat that’s injured.”
Coyotes and cars are the cats’ primary enemies, Burstein said. A few die every year from either animal attacks or car collisions.
Still, injuries among the cats do not occur often, and Burstein said she is dedicated to preserving the safety of all cats. If, for some reason, a cat is not fit to live on campus anymore, Beach Cats will help put the animal in a no-kill shelter, Burstein said.
Beach Cats also actively enforces the Trap, Neuter and Return program. Burstein estimates that before the TNR program was initiated, more than 100 cats lived on campus.
Now, the population hovers around 30 because all female cats on campus have been spayed, according to Burstein.
Burstein feeds the cats on campus five times a week, and pays for all food, water and medication out-of-pocket.
“Wherever there is food, you’ll find a feral cat,” Burstein said. “They are street-wise, their lives depend on it.”
The volunteer said she enjoys dedicating so much time to CSULB’s cat population.
“This is totally giving,” she said. “It’s the reward of knowing that I’m doing something good … It means supporting God’s creation. It’s pure charity with no tax deductions.”