Many college campuses across the nation have one problem in common. They have a LOT of feral cats. In 2008, Husker Cats was formed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It was a volunteer group created by both faculty and staff in order to reduce the campus feral population. Through their efforts, they were able to reduce the feral cat situation from 100 cats to 70, through humane trap, neuter, release and foster, and adoption programs.
UNL embraced the feral cat population by creating feeding stations and cat houses for shelter across campus.
The initiative to help these cats also gave the volunteers a great opportunity to teach students about compassion and civic responsibility.
Staff volunteer, Rebecca Cahoon says,
This is how many cats show us they love us. They watch for us and wait for us, every day. We look for them and they look for us. No head butts, no belly rubs— just faith. That’s love too.
The initial goals of the program were to stabilize the population through trap and release, then place the kittens into foster care and permanent homes. Give them food, shelter, and veterinary care to all cats. This way, reducing the feral numbers to a healthy, non reproductive state within 5 years.
It was definitely an ambitious plan, but the Husker Cats volunteers came together, and made it happen. Today, the cats are as much a still a big part of the university. They continue to be embraced by faculty, staff, and students.
Stanford and Texas A&M campuses also have similar organizations to help their feral cate situation.
Today, it’s very rare to see litters of kittens at UNL. But, when they do arrive they are rounded up fast, and placed with loving foster parents, until they’re old enough to be adopted.
A lot of the adults on campus have become really close with the cats. So close, they foster them, and some even adopt them. The cats that don’t get fostered or adopted, have a consistent source of shelter, food, and medical care.
Now this is what a very well thought out cat rescue looks like! Share with friends!
(h/t: iheartcats)
