The Campus Cat Coalition at UNSW Sydney was formed in 2001 to provide a humane program of neutering, vaccination and feeding of campus cats and adoption of tame cats and kittens, as a viable alternative to euthanasia.
The Campus Cat Coalition (CCC) at the Kensington campus of UNSW Sydney is a group dedicated to controlling and caring for the free-living cat population on UNSW property. The CCC comprises UNSW staff and students, and community volunteers. In 2008 the university approved a trial Cat Management Program to be implemented by the CCC and monitored by the university. The program has been reviewed and renewed since then on an annual basis. Cats and kittens are humanely trapped, neutered, vaccinated and either rehomed/adopted or released back in to their campus territory where they are regularly fed and monitored by CCC volunteers. Wherever possible, kittens and any unclaimed tame strays are boarded or fostered and found homes. No cats are euthanased, except when necessary to relieve suffering. As at the beginning of 2018, all of the campus cats have been neutered. And the total number of cats on campus has steadily decreased since 2012.
Studies have proved that this trap/neuter/return (TNR) method of control is the most successful method of stabilising, maintaining and eventually reducing healthy free-living cat colony populations.
TNR is the most cost-effective method. To trap and euthanase is a very expensive and relatively unsuccessful approach to managing cat numbers. It creates a space for more undesexed cats to fill and so the cycle continues with further breeding and unwanted animals.
Feeders get to know their cats so newcomers are easily identified and can be trapped, neutered, vaccinated and either rehomed or returned to the campus. Where possible tame strays are returned to their owners.
It helps keep human eating and recreation areas free of rodent infestation.
It addresses the problem of homeless cats responsibly, effectively and humanely. Many abandoned cats die from starvation, disease or abuse. Cared-for outdoor cats can be happy and healthy, and when they learn to trust people, they also learn to be friendly!
https://www.alleycat.org/australia-study-shows-benefits-of-trap-neuter-return/
The UNSW TNR paper coauthored by Helen Swarbrick has been published in Animals - Journal of Animal Science and Animal Welfare:
“Application of a Protocol Based on Trap-Neuter- Return (TNR) to Manage Unowned Urban Cats on an Australian University Campus”, Animals (ISSN 2076-2615)
http://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/5/77
This publication is an outstanding achievement and a testimony to the importance of what we have been doing and what has been achieved by our TNR Program on the UNSW campus in the last 10 years. We also hope that it will lead to Australia-wide recognition, acceptance and legalisation of TNR programs.
Help us raise money by donating your return and earn receipts. Drop your empty drink containers off at the Return and Earn machine at the Physics Lawn outside the Old Main Building K15 and donate your receipts to the Campus Cats Coalition. Contact Lisa to donate receipts.
Return and Earn @ UNSW - operated by Tomra
Kittens and Sick or Injured Cats - contact the CCNSW Cat Welfare Committee
If you see an injured campus cat, please contact the CCNSW Cat Welfare Committee as soon as possible. They will collect the injured cat and take it immediately to the vet.
If you find small kittens, or sick or injured cats on campus please contact the CCC.
If you see anyone harassing or intimidating campus cats, please contact the CCC or UNSW Security.
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On-campus Representatives:
Helen Swarbrick mobile: 0427 992 048
Lisa Lifman mobile: 0432 901 696
Off- campus Representative:
Bev Lawless mob: 0425 261 912
UNSW Security: ph: 9385 6000
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The Campus Cat Coalition has reached the following arrangement with chief vet Simon Roberts:
If any UNSW staff or students find an injured campus cat they may take it to Struggletown Small Animal Veterinary Hospital. Struggletown will administer pain relief, sedation and if necessary euthanasia. All required treatments will be paid for by the Campus Cat Coalition.
Their hours are:
Monday to Friday 7:30am - 10pm
Saturday and Sunday 9am - 7pm
Closed on public holidays
Struggletown Small Animal Veterinary Hospital
URL: http://www.struggletownvet.com.au
Telephone: 9398 8000
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Email: unswcampuscats@yahoo.com
Address:
Campus Cats NSW
PO Box 6315
UNSW Sydney
NSW 1466
AUSTRALIA
