Students have noticed stray cats living within the Cokesbury gates and around campus.
Students have not claimed these cats as their own.
The cats follow students, trying to get into apartments and buildings.
Animals living on campus cannot be fed or taken in by any students, according to the pet policy outlined by the university.
“No member of the campus community shall be permitted to do anything to attract animals to campus, nor shall any person be permitted to feed or set out food or water for animals on campus or engage in any other human intervention as described above,” the policy reads.
Liz Harney, assistant director of university housing, said the cats cannot be housed in the university dorms or apartments.
“We do discourage taking care of stray animals,” Harney said. “I know they’re cute, but with people allergic to cats on campus, students should just leave them outside.”
Harney also said Oklahoma City Animal Control has been called, but the response was underwhelming.
“Because Animal Control is so understaffed, they have not come out to campus,” Harney said. “They’re not going to come for an animal that is not causing problems.”
Samantha Erickson, religious education junior, said a stray cat the followed her and her roomate into their room. After putting the cat back outside, the animal still is looking for a home in their room.
“It will come and meow at the door until we let it in,” Erickson said. “The cat is still roaming around Cokesbury. ”
Students are encouraged to leave the cats outside and not feed them in hopes that they will return to their homes.
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