SMU Feral Cat Program
Have you seen our cats?
FYI:
University Gardens area cats on the move!
Read here for more info.
City of Dallas leash laws and feral cat programs
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The Feral Cat Program
The Feral Cat Program consists of faculty and staff volunteers who monitor, evaluate, and provide humane care for the campus feral cats. Supported by the Summerlee Foundation, SMU joins universities across the country in using the veterinarian-approved TNR system for controlling the cat population.
About 60 feral cats populate 12 established colonies on the SMU campus and university property.
How did the cats get here? Campus settings are ripe for the proliferation of feral cats. Un-sterilized family pets are sometimes abandoned and left to reproduce in the wild. Feral cats, generation after generation, are the offspring of these orphaned pets. When abandoned or mistreated, or born outdoors and not socialized, a cat may become "feral" or unapproachable by people. Although they may look relaxed, they suffer through extremes of temperature, harsh living environments, dangerous traffic conditions, and the constant threat of predators.
One important fact to keep in mind is that our cats do benefit the campus. Most obviously is rodent control. While the surrounding neighborhoods battle rodent issues, you won't see a rat on campus! Whether you love cats or hate cats, trust me, you'd rather see a cat than a rat.
How you can help:
Drive slowly through campus streets and driveways. Critter crossing!
Keep your distance from the cats; feral cat behavior is unpredictable.
Do not disturb feeding stations or humane traps displaying The Feral Cat Program labels.
Become a volunteer in The Feral Cat Program.
Donate.
If you have information about a cat needing attention, please contact campus police (8-3388)or email cats@smu.edu.
If you need information about feral
cats in your own back yard, click here.
For advice on resolving litter box issues at home, click
here.
Information on urban coyotes; yep, we have coyotes,
click here.
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Updated: Apr 14, 2008
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