150+ Stray Cats At University Of West Georgia

AGDLynn · #1 03-23-2009, 08:30 PM

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/18994813/detail.html#-

Posted: 3:13 pm EDT March 23, 2009
CARROLLTON, Ga. -- Somewhere around 150 to 200 stray cats prowl the University of West Georgia, feasting on the mice and birds that inhabit the campus as well as food remnants left by the school's students, and since October 2007 CampusCATS has been working to keep the population healthy and manageable.

The cats, which live in drain pipes and hidden boroughs throughout the campus, were coming out during the breaks when students weren't occupying the campus and leaving more evidence of their presence in public areas.

((Could be worse news..)

KSigkid · #2 03-23-2009, 08:42 PM

That's ridiculously bizarre.

UGAalum94 · #3 03-23-2009, 08:42 PM

Why didn't this story break back when they were looking for the new UWG mascot?

Thetagirl218 · #4 03-23-2009, 08:45 PM

I know I saw my fair share of stray cats on campus, but raccoons were much more rampant....I would assume there are a large amount of raccoons in GA....how they both surviving I wonder?

honeychile · #5 03-23-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thetagirl218

I know I saw my fair share of stray cats on campus, but raccoons were much more rampant....I would assume there are a large amount of raccoons in GA....how they both surviving I wonder?

Uncomfortably, I would assume.

UGAalum94 · #6 03-23-2009, 10:14 PM

My guess is that the campus officials probably get rid of raccoons as soon as they are spotted because of the rabies threat. With cats people might be a little more lenient because people associate them with pets.

I'm not saying this is a rational policy, but it's what I suspect happens.

ETA: I also think that raccoon may like more heavily wooded areas than most parts of the UWG campus.

carnation · #7 03-23-2009, 11:06 PM

At least it's not skunks, which are terrorizing the Berry campus.

AGDLynn · #8 03-24-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Why didn't this story break back when they were looking for the new UWG mascot?

Bring back the Braves!!

Can't get used to being a Wolf!

Kevin · #9 03-24-2009, 02:38 PM

My city's had a pretty good record of capturing feral a cats, spaying/neutering them and then re-releasing them. That'll tend to eradicate colonies in 2-3 years as the lifespan of feral cats isn't very long.

madmax · #10 03-24-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/18994813/detail.html#-

Posted: 3:13 pm EDT March 23, 2009
CARROLLTON, Ga. -- Somewhere around 150 to 200 stray cats prowl the University of West Georgia, feasting on the mice and birds that inhabit the campus as well as food remnants left by the school's students, and since October 2007 CampusCATS has been working to keep the population healthy and manageable.

The cats, which live in drain pipes and hidden boroughs throughout the campus, were coming out during the breaks when students weren't occupying the campus and leaving more evidence of their presence in public areas.

((Could be worse news..)

Valkerie's house???

preciousjeni · #11 03-24-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnation

At least it's not skunks, which are terrorizing the Berry campus.

lol

ForeverRoses · #12 03-24-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

My city's had a pretty good record of capturing feral a cats, spaying/neutering them and then re-releasing them. That'll tend to eradicate colonies in 2-3 years as the lifespan of feral cats isn't very long.

I'ave worked with IndyFeral to do that here as well. You have to promise to release them back in the area where they were trapped. If you don't, then the cats will try and find their way back on their own. They had one cat travel over 20 miles back to the subdivision that was home...

Hopefully they will be able to catch enough of the feral cats to start helping. And hopefully the college students and whomever else is dumping the cats will become educated and stop.

Kevin · #13 03-24-2009, 03:18 PM

I truly have no use for people who dump animals. They disgust me.

Moving is not an excuse to dump an animal, nor is the fact that the animal is no longer a kitten/puppy/got to big, etc. It's your responsibility.

I do pro bono work for a local no-kills shelter going after folks who adopt and neglect to neuter/spay their animals or folks who have their animals in an unsatisfactory environment.

JohnnyCash · #14 03-24-2009, 06:28 PM

We have wild ducks.

KSUViolet06 · #15 03-24-2009, 06:45 PM

This probably wouldn't be an issue if folks were more responsible animal owners.

People get a cat or dog, then dump it when:

*they have to move.
*they don't think it's "cute" anymore.
*they can't afford it.
*they got it for the kids and the kids are "over it."
*they just get tired of it.
*any number of reasons.
*it becomes pregnant (BECAUSE OWNER FAILED TO SPAY/NEUTER) and they can't take care of the puppies/kittens.

Some people don't get that once you get an animal, it is YOUR responsibility to care for that animal. If you cannot do so, it's your responsibility to FIND it another home or make sure someone else can take care of it.

Also, if you only have ONE cat and only WANT ONE CAT, it is YOUR responsibility to spay/neuter so you don't end up with more than you can handle.