The UTampa administration is attempting to remove several of our beloved cats from their homes.

THE PROBLEM: Administration has identified a flea infestation in Plant Hall, and suggests the cats living under the building are to blame. Our cats have lived on campus for several years and have received flea treatment as recently as Spring 2025. Flea complaints began only this summer, meaning it is almost certain the cats are not at fault – but they are the easiest targets, providing a “solution” which would fix the problem on paper.

THE DANGERS: Relocating the cats from their home is extremely dangerous. Feral cats are very territorial and form attachments to their outdoor homes. Once relocated, there is no guarantee the cats will stay; occasionally, they may get lost, injured, or killed trying to find their way back to their previous colony. New locations mean new dangers: predatory wildlife, foot traffic, cars. Even if cats are successfully removed from their home, it is likely more cats will move into the empty colony.

THE DRAWBACKS: Not only are the campus cats deeply loved by members of our community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors alike – they are useful to us. Feral cats control the population of unwanted rodents and pests, eliminating the need for harmful pesticides. Our cats have been vaccinated and spayed/neutered, meaning we prevent the birth of kittens and the spread of rabies. Several sources also suggest feral cats REDUCE the spread of fleas when treated – which ours are.

PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE THIS PETITION. By signing and spreading the word, we have the ability to save our campus cats from a dangerous, potentially deadly removal situation. Encourage your friends and family to sign – the more people speak up, the better chance we have at the administration hearing us! Thank you for your support and for helping us out. 

– UTampa Campus Cat Club Executive Board