DePauw’s campus has a variety of visitors — family, friends and, more often, cats.
They can be spotted darting from one bush to another, emerging only when hunger overpowers their usual shy tendencies.
Their numbers have stayed relatively low, but with the Putnam County Humane Society now closed down, the question of whether they will stay low lingers.
“The cats have always been here,” said senior Tobin Bell, agreeing with a group of juniors and seniors that all stated the cats had been around campus for as long as they could remember.
The group laughed when questioned about the cats, noting that they hang out mostly around the Union Building in hopes of charming an animal-loving student into giving away a piece of his or her dinner.
“We had a population of cats before the humane society closed,” said Angela Nally, director of Public Safety. “But I’m sure having it closed is not helping.”
Due to the economic recession and a lack of donations, the Putnam County Humane Society was forced to close the doors to its animal shelter in September. Without a local shelter, the stray cat population may increase.
“There have always been cats on campus,” said senior Charles Pierre. “But maybe there are more kittens now.”
Intervention, Nally said, will only happen if necessary.
“Public Safety does not interact with animals unless they pose a threat to the community,” she said. “I am unaware of any safety issues with the cats.”
While safety may not be an issue, some students harbor the cats during the winter months when it becomes colder and the cats grow bolder.
If this is the case, Nally said, there would be a few mild problems.
“There are certainly people who are afraid of cats,” she said. “Though allergies might be more of a concern if the cats were inside.”
Most students received lectures at the beginning of the school year concerning the cats.
Still, they’ve become a part of daily life at DePauw, sticking around for food but avoiding contact. Only a few months have passed since the Putnam County Humane Society closed its doors, meaning only time will tell if the number of cats will grow or stay stagnant.
“There could be a situation when an over population of strays becomes a problem,” Nally said. “But I’m not sure we are quite there yet.”
