Four Cats Are My Limit.

My goal was to write about the campus cats at the end of each month. February came and went before I was ready.

February Update
Overall, the cats have been slowing getting back into their usual routines. Winter weather tends to throw them off especially if there is snow, ice, extreme cold or all the above. I probably will never shut up about how awesome it is to have feeders at all the stations so we can keep their food dry, and the cats can eat mostly out of the weather – usually their cute, little butts stick out.

With warmer weather, it also brings the raccoons back out particularly in the mornings. They haven’t been showing up most mornings yet, but there have been a few warmer days, and a lone raccoon arrives ready to eat. To allow the cats to eat in peace, we must give the raccoons dry food to distract them from the cats. I would like to say this always works but it doesn’t. Luckily, the cats at all the stations live harmoniously with the raccoons for the most part.

Gus
To refresh your memories, back in October a tabby started showing up at Nox and Loki’s feeding station. Over time he convinced me he needed two cans of wet food for breakfast. In early January, Laurie trapped him and took him immediately to VHS’s community cat clinic to have him neutered. Plan was to release him back to campus and add him to our feral cat community. However, before doing so he showed signs of being friendly. Laurie had him for a month before unexpected home repairs disrupted her foster room, so I took Gus. To make a long story short, Gus is on his way to becoming the fourth feline member of my family. Hence the title, Four Cats Are My Limit. Although I would love to take in all the abandoned cats who end up on campus, my little house just doesn’t have the space. Therefore, Gus will be the last one to join. Once he is fully integrated into the household with the others then I can use the spare bedroom again to foster as needed.

Which brings me to….

The two kittens found on campus today. If you want to learn more about them, follow our social media.

I admire and respect those who work in animal rescue daily. We are not a rescue, but others keep trying to force USI Campus Cats into becoming one by abandoning their cats on campus. Their lack of compassion and disrespect for our actual purpose, leaves us drained financially, physically and mentally. So here is my shameless begging for more volunteers, people willing to foster at a moment’s notice, and food and monetary donations. If you don’t want to help us, then help another shelter or rescue. Goodness knows they all need it just as much as our little volunteer organization.

Be kind to animals.
Spay and neuter your pets.
Don’t dump your pets. Ever.

Melissa
USI Campus Cats Coordinator