Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the university community by prohibiting the unauthorized feeding and sheltering of wild animals and feral cats on university property. While often well-intended, these individual activities can lead to public health risks, property damage, and the disruption of campus operations. The policy aims to protect public health and prevent property damage, while complying with Nassau County Department of Health and other applicable laws and regulations.

Scope

The policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to Hofstra University (Hofstra).

Definitions

Feral cat means an animal of the species felis catus who has no owner, is unsocialized to humans and has a temperament of extreme fear of and resistance to contact with humans.

Feral cat shelters means small, weatherproof structures for cats that provide a warm, dry place during cold weather.

Feeding locations means authorized areas on Hofstra’s campus where feeding of feral cats is allowed.

Policy

Hofstra University regulates the care of feral cats and wild animals on campus to maintain safety. All unauthorized activities are prohibited and subject to removal and disciplinary action.

Feeding: In order to ensure a safe environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors, as well as wild animals and feral cats, Hofstra has established a Feral Animal Caretaker Program, where authorized caretakers may feed feral cats at designated feeding locations and times. For more information on this program, please email animalcontrol@hofstra.edu.

• Unauthorized feeding of wild animals and/or feral cats is prohibited on Hofstra’s campus.

• Any efforts to establish a place where wild animals and/or feral cats are intended to feed (Feeding Locations) in an unauthorized manner is prohibited on Hofstra’s campus.

• Unauthorized wild animal and/or feral cat Feeding Locations, and/or food apparently placed for the consumption of wild animals and/or feral cats is prohibited and subject to immediate removal.

Feral Cat Shelters: Hofstra University may authorize a limited number of shelters of specified construction in designated locations as part of the Feral Animal Caretaker program.

• Unauthorized placing, installing, and/or maintaining of feral cat shelters is prohibited on Hofstra’s campus and such shelters are subject to immediate removal.

Authorization: The Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations is the official empowered to authorize shelter and feeding of wild animals and/or feral cats under this policy.

Enforcement

Violations of this policy may result in:

• Referral to Human Resources and/or Community Standards for disciplinary action in accordance with Hofstra policy

• Revocation of volunteer and/or guest privileges

• Trespass warnings and suspension of campus access

Related Policies and References

N/A