In an interview with The Northerner on Wednesday, the university reiterated that the cats living outside the Landrum Academic Center must be relocated off-campus. However, it is still searching for a “permanent solution” that ensures the animals’ well-being.
At the moment, the university does not have an organized plan, but is “working on temporary solutions to allow the cats to stay” until there is a more concrete resolution.
“We need help with a permanent solution for the cats,” Chief Communications Officer Corey Best said. “They cannot live in or around an academic or a residential building on our campus.”
Allegations of a deadline for the cats’ removal circulated online, but the university denies the cats were going to be evicted by animal control on Feb. 27.
The university maintains that cat hair and dander have been found in air filters inside the Landrum HVAC system, and that “extensive maintenance” had taken place on the system.
The university remains unclear on any official “animal-care partners” they are currently collaborating with on the cat relocation effort. Both a local veterinarian and the Purrfect Day Cat Café in Covington were contacted.
The local veterinarian, Dr. Matt McGlasson, spoke to the Northerner about both his expert opinion on what could be done regarding the situation and his perspectives on the university’s claims.
“As someone who’s been in the veterinary field for 20 plus years and have seen firsthand the power of the human animal bond, just putting myself in the student’s perspective, I think having them on campus is probably a huge asset for quality of life, well-being, that type of thing,” McGlasson said.
He was unsure of the risk posed indoors by outdoor cat activity.
“I guess that that could potentially be real, although I would think that if these cats are staying outside, the risk of someone having a real allergy issue would be pretty minimal. But I guess it’s always possible,” McGlasson said.
McGlasson suggests the university try relocating the cats to a more secluded area or redoing the space around Landrum to better accommodate the needs of the university and the cats.
“You can’t just put them in a shelter…” McGlasson said, “People are going to come up to the cage, they’re going to hiss, they’re going to seem scared, so that’s not going to end well.”
McGlasson said the cats could be fostered, but it would be a long process requiring patience and time. Being both feral and sick with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), the cats are neither adoptable nor shelterable. Due to these reasons, the university is open to hearing students’ solutions to help resolve the issue.
“We would love the students to be part of the solution in the situation,” Best said. “If you have ideas, we are open to hearing them. If you have suggestions, if you have anything that could potentially give us a solution to this issue, we would love to hear them.”
An online petition made by an anthropology student last Friday has reached over 3,500 signatures. Additionally, a protest outside the Student Union is planned for Thursday.
“We commend these students,” Best said. “I appreciate their compassion, and we are trying to work and figure out what is the best solution for the wellness of the animals and also the wellness of our students, our faculty and our staff.”