Keep the Cats at SMU - Save the Feral Cat Program at Southern Methodist University

animal liberation by all means necessary

Not very Christian.

That cats (and squirrels) on campus are iconic. As an SMU legacy, I've grown up viewing them as a crucial component of SMU's brand.

Let's save those kitsters!

The campus cats need to stay.

These cats will keep more issues away than what SMU believes they might be causing. It is just horrible to trap and kill them when there are so many other options. I am ashamed by this and hope SMU will consider their actions.

Come on SMU - Put your 'thinking cap' on!! Really ?!? Really doubt you want the bad rap of something so inhumane on your hands.

In support of the program.

There are several feral cat programs on a number of school campus, Disney world and Disney land and other establishments and you don't see them running and shooting them. The EOC needs to get in touch with the real world and get the whole story. There's a balance and obviously SMU does not practice it.

I rescued several cats when I was at SMU in the 1960's. I cannot express my anger and dismay at this despicable act. This is the same mindset that caused the death of Cecil the Lion. I would support a complete boycott of SMU until they change this disastrous policy. And yes, anyone who kills or endangers a cat should be prosecuted. Please let me know how I can help.

my sister participated in this program and it is so so important please sign!!!

In response to Ms. Wall's comment related to SMU's official statement, she posted, I'd like to add that the cats have been fostered here 15-20 years now. Not "several" years as indicated in SMU's statement. Since then it has been very successful and it makes no sense to jump the gun so quickly to get rid of them now. Cats are "fixed" and released, kittens caught and adopted out. A sudden rash of a flea problem does not constitute getting rid of them now.

I am an advocate for managed feral cat colonies. Please do not do this. These cats deserve better treatment.

It is deplorable that "educated and enlightened" individuals could consider committing these actions. The removal of these cats is unconscionable and the means by which it is suggested that this be accomplished is criminal.

My sister volunteered with this program for her three years at SMU. This is a well managed program with dedicated volunteers. There is surely a way to implement a flea control program through the group that is both reasonable for the neighborhood and safe for the cats who are very well taken care of. Please make the humane decisions.

I need to make a correction to the statement released by SMU regarding their handling of the current feral cat issue...Here was the "official statement" that SMU released: August 7, 2015 To support the health and well-being of our campus community, it has become necessary for SMU to plan safe and humane measures to reduce its feral cat population. The University is not taking action at this time but will work with feral cat program volunteers toward this goal. Concerns about animals in urban areas include overpopulation and the risk of diseases transmitted by insects such as fleas, which have increased throughout the region in part due to the heavy spring rains. As a result, several SMU facilities required extensive treatment this summer to prepare for the fall term. At the same time, the feeding stations for SMU’s feral cat population can attract other wild animals. SMU has sponsored its feral cat program for several years. However, changes must be made to meet our top priority, the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. This is absolutely false. Terminex already had traps set up to catch the cats and the food had been removed prior to this statement being released. There was no "negotiation" with the volunteers. The decision had been made to trap the cats prior to establishing contact with the volunteers. Lots of hard work is being performed at no cost to SMU to care for these beloved cats. And if SMU thinks removing the food will stop wild animals from entering the campus then they will also have to close their 6 eating establishments on campus so the residual food will not attract unwanted wildlife.

What an absolutely horrible way to treat an animal! Have americans gone completely out of their minds or just lost any heart they had?

why not trap and neuter? please save the lives of these animals

TNR is the best alternative and not killing the cats who are at the mercy of humans.

Shameful! Whoever was in charge needs to be dismissed permanently!