Feral Cat Program
The Feral Cat Program at CSULB defines the care, feeding and management of the feral cat population on the campus. Through a responsible Trap, Neuter, Release, Adopt and Management process, the ultimate goal of the program is to humanely reduce and eventually eliminate, through attrition, the population of feral cats on the campus.
The University’s goal is to work closely with the volunteers (staff, students, faculty, and community members) to manage a very small feral cat population on campus grounds. The primary objective of the University’s program is to ensure that the number of feral cats on campus does not interfere with University activities or result in health or safety problems. This objective will be accomplished by decreasing the number of feral cats on campus through sterilization and attrition through a trap, neuter/spay, return/adopt and manage (TNRAM) program.
Key objectives of this program are:
- Humane trapping of cats on campus to significantly reduce the number of feral cats, identification via painless ear notches, testing for infectious diseases, vaccination, spay/neuter, return or adoption whenever possible.
- Establish and maintain authorized feeding locations where registered volunteers provide daily meals and water and observe feral cat activity in compliance with the attached Regulations for the Feeding of Homeless Feral Cats (attached).
- Removal and channeling for adoption of socialized adult cats and kittens from the campus.
- Removal of sick or injured cats.
While an exact figure is not available, the current campus feral cat population is estimated to total approximately 150 cats, which is far too many for a campus the size and density of CSULB. Volunteers will monitor the cat population for newcomers, including kittens, which will be trapped before they are assimilated in the current cat population. Any current adult socialized cats that can be adopted will be removed.
All volunteers will register on the CSULB Feral Cat Registration Form and sign a General Release of all Claims registration form with the CSULB Department of Safety and Risk Management. All volunteers will adhere to all University policies, including parking regulations and fees.
Registered Volunteers will:
- Abide by this program, including the Regulations for the Feeding of Homeless Feral Cats, and maintain the 7 authorized campus feeding locations.
- Ensure that all approved cat feeding containers are clean, sanitary, appropriately labeled with University-supplied permits, and all food is removed daily as required.
- Not place nor construct any structures on campus grounds.
- Manage the health and safety of the feral cats by
- conducting regular health assessments and assuring all cats are vaccinated, and
- immediately addressing any health and safety issues or concerns they identify or which are brought to their attention by the University.
- Decrease significantly the current feral cat population by
- maintaining an inventory of cats by feeding location for submission to the University on a semi-annual basis,
- removing all socialized adult cats and kittens from campus, and
- employing the trap, neuter/spay, return/adopt method of management.
The University will:
- Identify 7 small authorized feeding locations in conjunction with the operational needs of the campus.
- Provide campus access to registered volunteers carrying appropriate identification.
- Approve feeding containers that may be used at authorized feeding locations.
- Provide labels to be affixed to all approved small feeding containers for identification purposes.
- Notify the registered volunteer and/or related student organization if it is determined necessary to relocate a feeding location.
- Remove any unauthorized or non-compliant feeding container or shelter.
- Advise the registered volunteer and/or related student organization of any concerns or issues regarding a feeding location, or any adjustments that are required.
- Assist in trapping for the removal of cats at no charge
The success of this campus feral cat program will be measured by the following criteria:
- Evidence of a significant reduction of the campus cat population through a humane TNRAM program.
- Low/no visibility of feeding locations and feral cats.
- The absence of unauthorized feeding locations or containers.
- The absence of artificial/man-made shelters.
- Complaints from the University community due to the presence of cats or associated paraphernalia.
Intentional violation of this program by a participant will result in exclusion from program participation.
Regulations for the Feeding of Homeless Feral Cats
September, 2008
Only authorized small feeding locations will be allowed on campus. These small feeding locations must be kept out of sight of the general public. The location of authorized feeding sites will be designated solely by the University. The locations will be away from heavily populated or trafficked areas.
Cats can be fed fresh food only during daylight hours (6am to 6pm). This will aid in the proper care of the cats and avoid the attraction of unwanted wildlife to the campus. The amount of food provided must be gauged so that virtually no food is left over. Food attracts wildlife, flies ants, etc., which must be prevented. Cats should not be fed out of cans or from paper plates. Feeding must be done on a daily basis only at the authorized feeding locations and in approved feeding containers. Food containers must be cleaned and all food picked up each day no later than dusk. On a daily basis, any food container not removed by 6pm will be removed by the University as non-compliant with the University’s program. Water may be provided at any time.
All cats must be neutered/spayed and vaccinated and identified as such by the presence of a tipped ear. On an ongoing basis cats must be checked for injuries, illness, pregnancy, lactation, or any other unusual condition. Any cat displaying such conditions must be removed from campus. Resources to assist in trapping will be made available by the University.
The small feeding locations must be kept free of debris and cat feces. Areas in which cat feces are offensive or cause problems, such as walkways, building entrances, below windows, or near HAVC intake locations, etc., must be inspected daily. Any debris or cat feces that may cause odors or attract flies or ants must be removed.
All feeding containers must be affixed with an identifying sticker provided by the University. Any feeding container without an identification sticker and/or not in compliance with the University’s program will be removed immediately by University personnel.
The University will relocate or eliminate an authorized feeding area should a problem arise. The University will not allow this program to continue if these regulations are neglected or if additional problems arise from only limited volunteer participation. The University will formally notify the registered volunteer for the feeding location in advance. Finally, the effectiveness of this program will be first measured by a significant reduction in the number of feral cats on campus.
