Part-time staff now maintain 27 feeding stations spread over Ocean Reef's 4,000 acres. The Ocean Reef Club boasts a lush, 900-acre nature preserve. Ocean Reef is home of the federally endangered Key Largo woodrat and Key Largo cotton mouse. It has been documented that domestic cats kill these species. However, the relocated colony cats may already have rabies, and domestic animals such as cows, horses and sheep are susceptible to this disease.
Toxoplasmosis also can cause sheep to abort their fetuses.
Ground- nesting and feeding sparrows, quail, and other birds experiencing population declines can often be found on farm land. END Managed cat colonies are not a humane solution for the cats who still face a multitude of hazards and diseases. Not all feeders have the resources for testing and vaccination, and many debilitating and life-threatening illnesses cannot be treated on a one time basis, such as roundworm, ringworm, fleas, ticks, ear mites, abscesses, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and eye infections. Cats are also subject to other hazards, such as getting hit by cars, attacks by other cats, wildlife or humans, or poisoning. Feeders are often overwhelmed by the cost and responsibility.