Friends of Baylor Campus Cats
The beloved campus cats of Baylor University have been a cherished part of the community for many years. These feline friends not only help with rodent control but also provide emotional support to students and faculty alike. The Baylor Lariat has covered their stories extensively. If you go to BaylorLariat.com and search "cats" you can read more about their adventures and the impact they've had on campus life. Click on this link to take you to one of the Baylor Lariat stories.
(Baylor makes the purr-fect home for cats - The Baylor Lariat)
At one time there were several feeding stations scattered around the campus. Signs were posted letting people know where the stations were and that the cats were being taken care of. Many people stopped to see them or take pictures of them. Recently one family came to the campus during a holiday weekend just to see the campus cats.
Earlier this summer, raccoons got into a campus building and caused thousands of dollars in damage to offices and labs. Baylor officials felt the wildlife were attracted by the cats being fed around the buildings. At the end of July 2025, Baylor updated their, "Animals On Campus Policy", to include:
* Allowing facilities management to remove cat food that attracts animals
* Allowing facilities management to remove shelters that were for community cats
* Banning any wild or non-domesticated animal
* Listing feral cats without owners to be treated the same as a wild animal
* Listing community cats as:
Community Cats
Stray cats, known as community cats, are another animal that can regularly be seen on campus. To minimize risks to public safety, animal welfare, and property, as well as to prevent attracting wildlife and other disturbances, the feeding of community cats on campus is prohibited. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary measures by appropriate authorities which may include Campus Living & Learning, the University's Human Resource Department, and/or Judicial Affairs. In addition, the University may seek restitution for any animal-related damage to University-controlled property, facilities, or grounds that arise from the feeding of community cats.
(Click on this link to read the Baylor Animal Policy )
These changes are troublesome as well as illegal under Texas law. Under Texas Penal Code 42.092 Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals, it defines an animal to include any stray or feral cat. It also includes:
* "Abandon" to mean abandoning an animal in the person's custody without making reasonable arrangements for assumption of custody by another person.
* "Custody" to mean the responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of an animal subject to the person's care and control, regardless of ownership of the animal.
* "Necessary food, water, care or shelter" to provide to the extent required to maintain the animal in a state of good health.
* "Torture" to mean any act that causes unjustifiable pain or suffering.
* "TNR" (Trap-Neuter-Return Program) to control a nonlethal population control practice.
(Click on the Texas Law Button to read Texas Penal Code 42.092)
The Animal Birth Control Clinic (ABC) in Waco, TX has submitted a proposal to take over the management of Baylor community cats and their caretakers. Unfortunately, Baylor has not yet responded to this important proposal, nor to the outreach from various animal advocacy groups. As new cats appear on campus, the urgent need for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) becomes increasingly critical. It's imperative Baylor take action now to prevent a growing population of community cats.
