Aggies Cats is a program unknown by many residents of Cache County. However, it has been on Utah State University’s campus for over five years.
The program is run almost entirely by volunteers and donations, according to USU Housing Director Shannon Jolley.
The program helps feral cats on campus from being killed and kept under control. Most of the cats are abandoned pets while the others are litters, according to Jolley.
Whitney Milligan, director of residence life and co-founder of Aggie Cats, said all universities have feral cats due to the multitude of students and the trash they create. USU had originally captured the cats and killed them but decided that was inhumane. The program now helps take care of the cats while also maintaining them.
Over 20 volunteers help feed the cats regularly on the north side of Aggie Village. These volunteers also help foster kittens when a feral cat delivers a litter.
Aggie Cats has been funded solely by donations from various groups and individuals.
“I hardly notice the cats on campus,” said Brandon Johns, a student at USU. “I never realized how many there were.”
The numbers of feral cats has reduced from 50, in past years, to 20-30 cats that go to the feeding stations, according to Jolley.
“The thing that most people don’t understand is feral cats are a human problem,” said Jolley. “They come from abandoned cats and congregate in areas where humans live and leave out food and shelter. Humans created the problem of feral cats.”
