STORY BY VIVIANA VALENCIA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PHOTO COURTESY OF CATS OF CYPRESS COLLEGE WEBSITE
Several allegations against Cypress College’s maintenance staff were made as the first few days of the fall semester approached on campus.
According to a website called “Cats of Cypress College” and social media circulation, campus maintenance workers have been accused of purposefully “killing” felines and damaging bowls of water left out by students and other concerned community members.
Cypress College’s president, Scott W. Thayer, released a statement on Tuesday addressing the concerns of students and the local community. “Let me be emphatically clear: cats are not being killed on our campus and such horrendous actions most certainly would never be condoned by me or anyone in a position of leadership at Cypress College,” said Thayer.
Cypress College and the Cypress Police Department have launched investigations into the accused staff members, but have not charged or taken disciplinary actions, as no evidence of the abuse has been found yet.
In the statement, Thayer assured that he was aware of the cat colonies on campus when he was elected and took the position. He stated that since 2023, the population of felines on campus has decreased. In part due to the deaths of five cats and the other due to the rehoming and adoption through local animal shelters and veterinary hospitals, including the Orange County Animal Control, and several other organizations. No other deaths have been reported.
According to campus policies under Title 4 of the California Code of Regulations and City Municipal Code, college staff can only provide clean water to the animals. Therefore, staff and students are prohibited from feeding cats on campus as this will increase the population and put employees and students who have health issues at risk.
This is a developing story.
Visit our website for updates: cychron.cypresscollege.edu.
