A recent story by the South Florida Sun Sentinel focused on the situation involving feral cats on Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus. Detailed information was provided to the reporter for the story; unfortunately, some facts were not included in what was published.
The omitted information surrounded the Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) program NSU has had in place for the past six years. In order to ensure everyone has access to ALL of the facts, we have put together the following information:
- NSU is not, nor has it ever, been “anti-cat” as some are now alleging
- This is not a cat issue, but rather a health and safety issue.
- The current situation of employees, out of the goodness of their hearts, leaving food out for the cats is resulting in unintended consequences, including unsanitary conditions and individuals being harmed by other animals on campus that are attracted to the food.
- NSU began its Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) program in 2015. Unlike other similar programs across the state and nation, it is implemented on an “as needed” basis. That is, traps are set only if a verified situation arises on campus involving feral cats that must be addressed.
- This is the most appropriate and humane approach to the feral cat population on campus and works best to manage the situation.
- Feeding stations away from populated areas are something that may be explored.
- This is the most appropriate and humane approach to the feral cat population on campus and works best to manage the situation.
- NSU works with the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Division (NSU worked with the Humane Society in the past) as well as a number of local private veterinarians.
- Our approach is passive – we are not trying to rid our campus of the cats; for all intents and purposes we leave the cats be and only trap, neuter and return them to campus when necessary.
- The cats are given a check-up, spayed/neutered and have one of its ears “notched” to identify the animal as having been trapped (this way if the cat is trapped again, the notched ear lets us know they’ve already been spayed/neutered and it is then released).
- Once the veterinarian completes the procedure, our staff member will retrieve the cat and bring it back to campus where it is returned to the general location from where it was trapped.
- According to the experts, feral cats are not adoptable, so it’s better to return them to campus – an environment they are familiar with – than releasing them to new location.
- Once the veterinarian completes the procedure, our staff member will retrieve the cat and bring it back to campus where it is returned to the general location from where it was trapped.
- We recognize that feral cats will be part of our campus, which is why NSU has supported and advocated for the Trap, Neuter and Return program.
