Five cats from the Huntingdon County Humane Society – D’Artagnan, Gallagher, Tilly, Napa and Knox – have called the SFU Library’s “Cat Room” home this semester.
“The purpose of this program is to help shelter cats by giving them space, interaction and socialization, which can facilitate their adoption,” said Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg, an Associate Professor of Psychology, in an interview with the Troubadour last fall.
“It reduces the load on shelters and brings a sense of home and love to students’ lives. It’s also a great example of how communities and universities can collaborate.”
With D’Artagnan, Tilly and Napa all recently adopted, Gallagher and Knox are the current residents at the campus library.
According to Autumn Baum, a senior Psychology and Zoo/Aquarium Science double-major, Knox is a bit of a bully – he craves attention and has claimed the space as his own. Gallagher, on the other hand, is shy but sweet.
Baum noted that Knox immediately took ownership of the library space. He came with a “bonded” cat (D’Artagnan), which helped him adjust quickly.
Gallagher, however, was initially more apprehensive and has remained shy since arriving at SFU. He loves attention but prefers that you come to him.
A team of eight students manages the cats’ daily care, including feeding, cleaning and socialization. For these students, the program provides valuable hands-on learning opportunities, allowing them to assess the cats’ health, emotional state and boundaries.
Even if the cats aren’t adopted by someone who meets them at SFU, they will return to shelter life more socialized and confident, giving them a much better chance of finding a permanent home in the future.
Baum and Joel Godissart, who lead SFU’s “Cat Team,” said the addition of the Cat Room has changed the library’s atmosphere for the better.
“Before the cats were in the library, the lower level didn’t seem to have many people,” said Baum. “Now that cats are there, I am constantly seeing people downstairs.
“It gives people a boost of serotonin – which it also gives me – and I love it.”
Godissart also senses a different vibe in the library.
“I would definitely say there is a shift since the addition of the cats,” he said. “I have seen many cases where students will take a break from studying just to look in the window at the cats.
“It’s a relaxing break for the students, and the cats love the attention.”
The library cats have been comforting not only for students, but for faculty and staff members as well. Baum said that members of SFU’s Physical Plant have visited the cats.
“A Physical Plant worker came down to the lower level to meet Bones. He had recently lost his own cat, so it was heartwarming for him to meet her,” said Baum.
“She (Bones) was adopted just before Thanksgiving.”
Baum said she hopes that the program continues.
“It’s been so rewarding watching cats find their forever homes – homes they may not have gotten in a shelter full of cats,” she said. “This is a safe place for them, with fewer animals and more one-on-one exposure to the public.”
With four different time slots every weekday, there are many opportunities for students, faculty and staff members to visit the library’s feline guests.
“I think it’s wonderful that we’ve already had two adoptions this semester,” Godissart said.
“While I’ll hate to say goodbye, I hope to see an empty Cat Room, with all the cats finding homes by the end of the semester.”
