Campus Cats | Graphic by Abigail Abbot | The Wright State Guardian
Wouldn’t Rowdy look good with a cat best friend? There is plenty of scientific evidence, opinions and research that say Wright State University needs a cat companion.
Benefits, opinions and examples
There is no doubt that exposure to our purry pals makes us feel good, but there is actual science behind having a cat, perfect for a stressful environment like a college or university.
“Scientific evidence also shows that a cat’s purr can calm your nervous system and lower your blood pressure,” the HelpGuide website reads.
Not only that, but the same site reports that cat owners have a lowered risk of heart disease and stroke.
WSU itself knows the power of pets. Just see the countless events like “Destress with Raider Pups.” If dogs are on campus for students, why not a cat? Treasurer of Raider Pups Austin Wolfe is often seen with service-dog-in-training Chip.
“I think it would be a really good idea. I know with all the dogs from Raider Pups, people love them. I know we’ve gotten comments that every time people see them, they say ‘Oh, that just made my day,’” Wolfe said. “So for people who may not like dogs, if we had a cat that would serve that purpose, it would be really cool.”
For students specifically, a cat offers a plethora of benefits.
“We know that right now, particularly after the height of the COVID pandemic, and in trying to reintegrate into social life, people are struggling. Students are struggling. Staff and faculty are struggling. Our communities are struggling, and we need something that brings levity, something that brings joy, something that brings laughter,” Bobbie Szabo, assistant director of the Women’s Center, said on the topic.
Students themselves support the idea.
“I think we should. Personally, I would want a cat. It would be great to rescue from shelters,” Melanie Garza, a sophomore student worker, said.
So, having a cat is beneficial for students. It is also done on other campuses, such as the cat at the University of South Carolina. But what about the feasibility on WSU’s own campus?
But how?
WSU knows how to keep a cat on campus. Technically, WSU already has cats in the campus dormitories with its Emotional Support Animals program. Plenty of students already take advantage of this opportunity. This would simply have a cat in the public sphere of WSU instead of the private one.
But who would take care of this cat? And where would it go? I am not suggesting a free-roaming campus cat, as this may expose the feline to potential danger and may cause unwanted stress to students with severe allergies. That is why I am proposing that the cat be in an enclosed office or center space.
Some suggestions would be in University Hall or the Culture and Identity Centers. This way, students have easy access to the school’s new mascot while also respecting the space of those with allergies. There can also be a cat-free zone in its designated office so that those with allergies can still access office resources. Regular cleaning also helps the severity of allergic reactions.
As technology progresses, so does technology that helps reduce allergic reactions. A type of Purina cat food is scientifically proven to effectively reduce the major allergen in cat hair and dander.
And while there are not true ‘hypoallergenic’ cats, there are plenty of breeds that are ideal for individuals with allergies.
The responsibility for caring for the cat would be on those in its resident office, supported by financial assistance from the university. While this may seem like an unnecessarily expensive task for the university, the costs actually will not cut deep in the university’s pockets.
According to the ASPCA, you can plan to spend around $634 annually on your cat. This breaks down to around $53 a month.
Compare this cost to my hourly wage as a student worker in the Guardian. I earn $10.45 per hour working 13 hours a week. This comes to $135.85 per week or $543.40 per month. That means that the cost of taking care of this cat for a month would be less than half of my week’s wages at the Guardian. WSU employs hundreds of student workers. There is no reasonable financial argument against a cat, especially since shelter adoption fees can be as low as $5.
And not to worry if the cat accidentally gets out, there are plenty of GPS tracking collars for that.
In conclusion, WSU would do well with a cat to accompany its wolf mascot. And President Sue, if you are reading this, I am sure a cat would help with your goals of recruitment, retention and relationships.
