Campus Cat Conundrum
Reported by Katelyn Lam
Photographed by Luci Lettau
Something is rustling in the bushes!! Is it a rabbit? A bird? A squirrel? Nope, it is our campus cats! About two to three cats roam freely around George Fox University (GFU), bringing smiles to students and staff alike.
One of the most well-known cats on campus is Tom the Cat, GFU’s unofficial mascot. Despite the name, Tom is a grey female cat who belongs to a local family near campus. Students have shown their love by creating an Instagram account, @tom.gfu, to document her adventures.
“You can often find her crossing the bridge, walking around the quad, checking out the canyon, or hanging out with students,” states GFU’s website.
Another beloved feline is a brown and white cat called Cupcake. This cat often frequents the Canyon Commons and Gulley Hall. Like Tom, Cupcake has a fan base with its Instagram account, @cupcakkecharliebrown.gfu.
“The campus kitties bring such joy and companionship to the students,” sophomore Reyna Naranjo said. “I’ve had wonderful interactions with people I didn’t know while hanging out with one of the kitties. It instantly brightens my day to see them.”
Last semester, residents of Gulley Hall provided Cupcake with a bed and blanket to stay warm during the winter months.
“It was Staci’s idea to get a plastic tub and put a blanket around it for the cat, which was really sweet,” a Gulley resident said.
However, Campus Public Safety (CPS) removed the bed, sparking a student-led petition to reinstate it. There have been no updates on whether the petition was successful.
“I think the school should ensure the cats are safe and properly vaccinated,” another Gulley resident said. “At the same time, they live outdoors most of the time, so let them have peace and their own space to grow and live.”
It remains unclear whether Cupcake and the other cats (excluding Tom) have owners, are vaccinated, or have reliable shelter during harsh weather.
“We have strong reasons to believe that Cupcake likely belongs to a nearby Newberg resident and enjoys wandering onto campus to greet students,” said Le Shana and Gulley Halls Area Coordinator Paige Wode.
CPS has advised students against allowing cats into dorms or taking responsibility for them, citing GFU’s pet policy.
“For many obvious reasons, we don't want to attract stray animals to our campus,” Dean of Students Mark Pothoff said. “In general, students can work with the Student Leadership Council to propose policy changes if they feel a specific policy deserves reconsideration.”
Some students believe the university should take action to adopt or vaccinate the cats, excluding Tom.
“For now, I strongly recommend reaching out to or supporting local shelters in Newberg, which do an excellent job caring for lost or abandoned animals,” Wode said. “ARK Pet Rescue and Newberg Animal Shelter are great options. While it is a source of joy to interact with these cats on campus, connecting them to community resources may be their best chance for a happy future.”