FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The stray cats that prowl Nova Southern University in Broward County, Fla., are becoming more than a nuisance. They’re now grounds for firing.
The university, in an attempt to control troublesome wildlife, is threatening to fire anyone who feeds the cats, according to a directive issued by Vice President Daniel Alfonso with approval from President George Hanbury.
The warning has drawn the ire of both students and staff, says one student who says she found out about the ban from two relatives who work at the university.
She and others fear the cats will starve.
“These cats have never provided for themselves,” said the student, who requested anonymity to protect her relatives. “You can watch them currently losing weight and crying for food due to the lack of nutrition. The feedings are what they have relied upon for years.”
University officials say they have nothing against cats but are worried about food attracting wildlife, according to the July 19 email sent out to staff by Alfonso, the university’s vice president of Facilities Management and Public Safety.
“The cat food attracts rats, raccoons, possums, the lovely Canadian geese and other wildlife,” he wrote. “These animals carry diseases and may become aggressive when they encounter humans. Additionally, these critters use our doorsteps, staircases, and other common areas as their toilets. That is unsanitary!”
The email ends with a warning: “Please, if you are feeding cats on our campus, STOP doing so. Failure to abide by this request, may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal (loss of employment) from Nova Southeastern University.”
The ban applies to the entire Davie campus, though no signs have been posted warning people not to feed the dozens of cats that live on campus, said university spokesman Joe Donzelli.
NSU, a private university with an estimated 21,000 students, also has campuses in Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Miramar, Orlando, Palm Beach, Tampa and Puerto Rico.
“The email that went out to staff mentioned a student who was scratched by a raccoon.
“We must do everything we can to provide a safe and secure learning and working environment,” Donzelli said. “Feral cats are well adept at providing for themselves — and while the intentions of people trying to feed them are good, it is the unintended consequences that has caused serious problems.”
