By Rachel Chiang | Assistant News Editor
While the esteemed Judges Indy and Belle receive 24/7 care by medical professionals, the campus cats receive their own treatment of basic check-ups and feeding cycles. Due to an increase in wildlife on campus, stricter guidelines over the care of the cats have been implemented.
Various students, faculty and staff volunteer their time and money into helping care for the cats around campus. Master of Social Work Program Manager Dr. Doriann Beverly said the monitored colonies have a very regular schedule.
“Put the food down and let them eat for about 30 minutes,” Beverly said. “And then pick the food up and clean the area because otherwise, you risk attracting other wildlife or even insects.”
Beverly encourages the strict guidelines as a proactive, rather than a reactive measure. In addition to the feeding schedule, she occasionally traps the cats to have them spayed and neutered as well as making sure they are properly vaccinated. Then, their left ears are tipped to signify they have been treated.
She ensures that the cats are properly cared for and warns against trying to feed the cats outside of their scheduled feeding times. She understands it can be tempting to want to care for them, but because they are technically strays, they must be handled delicately.
“What we can do is educate the people who aren’t on the campus and let them know,” she said. “We have some signage out that lets people know the cats are part of a monitored colony.”
Dr. Karen Humphrey, interim environmental health and safety director, stepped into her role of helping care for the cats when the former director, Dennis Nolan, left Baylor. Nolan had originally started the program a couple years ago by emulating community cat programs at other universities.
While Beverly warns against students caring for the cats without guidance, Humphrey encourages students who may be interested in volunteering to call the number listed on the cat colony signs posted around campus or email ehs@baylor.edu. Having students volunteer and care for the cats would help educate and spread the word about the proper procedures to ensure the cats and students can safely co-exist.
“I would love to see more student involvement,” Humphrey said. “That’s the primary thing, to get the word out, get the students involved. I know there are students out there that would want to help, and this would make it something that is ongoing over the long term.”
Michael Aguilar | Photo Editor Photo credit: Michael Aguilar
While certain wildlife that frequent campus such as raccoons, skunks and possums can pose a nuisance and a danger, Humphrey said there are two-fold benefits in having the cats around campus.
First, the cats play a crucial role in helping keep the rodent population down and their continued presence keeps new cats from coming in. And ensuring the cats stay neutered and spayed can keep additional litters from forming.
Second, Humphrey said it has been an emotional support for students at times. Thus, she encourages student involvement because it gives those who may be away from home and missing their own pets an opportunity to feed the animals and still connect with their pets, even miles away.
