Campus Cats
After doing lots of research on the subject of feral cats lately, I’ve become more and more disappointed with Australia’s efforts to solve the problem. Don’t get me wrong, there are wonderful small non-profit groups out there conducting TNR programs and doing all they can to help, and my recent interview with Erica from CatRescue outlines this. But we still need to do so much more to make an impact. And I’m not the type of person to sit back and say “why isn’t anyone doing anything?” if I’m not doing anything myself, so stay tuned on my very exciting upcoming project that will assist not only homeless cats, but street cats too.
Today’s post isn’t about what I’m doing however, its about what the University of New South Wales, located in Sydney, is doing. Campus Cats Coalition is a group of volunteers, dedicated to improving the lives of the feral cats that live on the grounds of UNSW.
The volunteers consist of students, staff and community members, and together they spay/neuter the cats, where possible find them a loving home, or return them to the uni grounds. When they are returned they are cared for and fed for the rest of their lives.
This is such a wonderful example of a successful Australian TNR program. Countless studies have shown that traping/spay-neutering/releasing is the single most effective and successful method of stabilizing, maintaining and eventually reducing healthy feral cat colonies.
The UNSW’s goal is to promote community awareness of the responsible care and treatment of animals and they enforce my belief that “all life should be valued and treated with dignity and respect”.
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We can't wait to hear what you are doing! If only more people donated their time to what they believe in, think of all we could get done!
That is wonderful story about the Campus Cats! They do look well cared for and happy and healthy. Hurray for that school!
I am of the opinion that TNR has so far proven to be most effective when compared to trapping and culling. Education is also very important and it does sound that UNSW is doing a great job in both!
Fantastic!! Think the owners of Loews in the U.S. need to read this!
We love to hear what you are doing. That sounds like such a good program that the Campus Cats organization is doing. It is so great all the places that do the TNR and we all just need to support the groups that do it so there will be more of it. You are doing a great job. Every little bit helps.
Such great work and hopefully others will follow their fine example!
time some students took accountability for helping out the animals many of them bring onto campus then abandon…very nice! Don't get me wrong, love college life, but been there and seen that and did not want the t-shirt when it comes to how students often treat their anifamily once the students graduate.
Hey there. I so badly want to halp with street and feal cats. On my street alone therere at least 5 cats that are outside all the time and I'm not sure if they're owned but et outside or if they're feral. Howwdoyou tell? I', not sure exactl what you're thinking ofdoing but if there is anyway I can get involved or help please email me at cahlee.patterson@hotmail.com. I live in Newcastle and unfortunately relaly dont have the cash to donate but I would love to help in any other way that I can
Hi Cahlee, thanks for your comment! Are the cats on your street frightened of you? If not then they are not feral. Feral cats usually run at the sight of a human. And most of the time, you would not see a feral cat out in daylight. They are normally very rarely seen and if they are its only at dusk, dawn or night. I'll send you an email later today
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That's absolutely wonderful. What a great program at that campus! Yay for Campus Cats!
There's so many sweet kitties out there that have no one to care for them. This is a feel good story!
xo Catherine