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You are here: Home / News / Feral Cat Initiative tests cats for illnesses

Feral Cat Initiative tests cats for illnesses

October 9, 2014 by Jonathan Ward

The Feral Cat Initiative now tests stray cats on campus for immune deficiencies and viruses.

The program, initiated by ACU’s Facilities and Campus Management Department in early 2013, seeks to keep the campus safe from an overpopulation of feral cats.

The program started out with a Trap-Neuter-Return program and has since expanded its agenda with feeding stations and health examinations, said Emily Geller who is involved in the program.

“Last semester, a senior named Emily Schuster decided to create her undergraduate (research) project from what we were doing with these cats,” said Geller, sophomore animal science major from Memphis, Tennessee. “She expanded (the initiative) to test the cats for FIV and FELV.”

FIV, feline immunodeficiency virus, and FELV, feline leukemia virus, severely inhibit cats’ immune systems. So far, Geller said only one kitten has tested positive for FIV.

The trap-neuter-return program consists of trapping cats in cages with food every Tuesday night and individually inspecting cats at the Dearing Veterinary Clinic the next day. After cats are evaluated, they are spayed or neutered, given a rabies shot and then ear-tipped for future identification.

Geller said despite rumors on campus that the identification markings are a form of mistreating the cats, the markings are completely harmless.

“It’s just like an ear-piercing. It doesn’t hurt the cat since they’re still sedated when we do this, so it’s completely humane.”

Geller said ACU’s cat population has been large in years past because cats from local neighborhoods would gather and breed on campus. However, students have already noticed the program’s results in controlling the population over the last year.

“I noticed a dramatic drop in the cat population at ACU and learned that (the school) was doing a new program,” said Ashton Darrow, sophomore management major from Abilene. “I love the fact that ACU feeds the cats on campus while keeping them wild at the same time. By neutering the cats, we are not only helping the ACU campus but the city of Abilene as well.”

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Campus Cats, Feral Cat Initiative

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You are here: Home / News / Feral Cat Initiative tests cats for illnesses

Other News:

  • ACU to join Western Athletic Conference in July

  • Sing Song 2021 to ban sets, significantly limit act capacity

  • Tyler officials locate body of missing student

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acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
20h

Sing Song 2021 will undergo major changes to comply with COVID-19 health and safety regulations. Read more below:
https://acuoptimist.com/2021/01/sing-song-2021-to-ban-sets-significantly-limit-act-capacity/

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acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
13 Jan

Tyler officials have located the body of 21-year-old Corbin Stiefer, a senior history major from Tyler, who had been missing since Jan. 6. Read more below:
http://acuoptimist.com/2021/01/tyler-officials-locate-body-of-missing-student/

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20 hours ago

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Sing Song 2021 will undergo major changes to comply with COVID-19 health and safety regulations. Read more below: ...

Sing Song 2021 to ban sets, significantly limit act capacity - Optimist

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Sing Song, which has been delayed until April 22-24 at the Paramount Theatre, will undergo major changes in 2021 to follow health and safety guidelines due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A minimum of eight and a maximum of 16 participants will be allowed in each act. This max number pales in comp...
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23 hours ago

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Students gathered in Galaxy Park Wednesday evening for a candlelight vigil celebrating the life of senior history major Corbin Stiefer. See more photos from our gallery below: ...

Gallery: Community remembers Corbin Stiefer with candlelight vigil - Optimist

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Students gathered in Galaxy Park Wednesday evening for a candlelight vigil celebrating the life of senior history major Corbin Steifer.
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