Why are feral cats a problem?
Feral cats and sympathetic cat feeders cause serious problems. Feral cats pose a very real threat to children and adults if the cat feels threatened or cornered. Feral cats that live on campus appear to be cute fuzzy little creatures and are very enticing to children. SSU has many programs such as Excel and on-campus childcare, which continuously brings children onto campus who should not be exposed to this hazard. Further, the cats defecate and mark territories on campus including the children’s playground, which introduces more hazards. The cats are also predators and have had a devastating impact on the native upland bird population which was once abundant on campus. Feeding of cats causes a number of additional problems. Food left out by sympathetic cat feeders attracts other feral and domestic cats onto campus. The feeding also attracts other creatures such as raccoons, possums, skunks, insects, and rodents. The rodents (specifically rats) will collect food and stockpile it inside