Five cats of various colors eating food on a paved pathway next to a grassy area.
A black and white cat sitting on dirt ground under trees and foliage in a natural outdoor setting.
Five cats and three raccoons on a paved path outside in a wooded area
A black cat with yellow eyes sitting on a dirt trail in a forested area surrounded by green bushes and trees, with a second black cat partially hidden among the foliage in the background.
A tabby cat sitting among fallen dry leaves and some green plants.
Melissa Burch Melissa Burch

January, The Longest Month

When I wrote the first blog detailing the 2025 year in review for USI Campus Cats, I toyed with the idea I would write a monthly blog. I am not a writer. What you will read is an honest report of life coordinating a small organization of volunteers who provide care to feral cats on a college campus, twice a day, 365 days a year.

Read More
Melissa Burch Melissa Burch

What a Year for Our Whiskered Residents

2025 brought joy, growth, frustration, and heartbreak for our campus cats — and for all the volunteers who care for them. When I agreed to take over as USI Campus Cats coordinator in mid‑2024, I had no idea how much this role would change me. This year I learned the highs and lows of fostering, witnessed incredible generosity from donors, and felt deep gratitude for our volunteers — especially the students who joined us in the fall. Their involvement allowed me to step back from daily feeding so I could focus more on the behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps our TNR program moving forward.

Looking to 2026, I hope to grow our volunteer base with more USI staff and Evansville community involvement. And of course, we will always rely on food and monetary donations to sustain our efforts.

— Melissa, USI Campus Cats Coordinator

Read More