Text or messaging the GroupMe are the most preferred ways of contact for emergencies. Officers are also students and work, so it is not always convenient to pick up the phone. Messaging the GroupMe garners a larger response while texting allows us to step away from class/work to either call you or have another officer directly contact you. Messaging us on social media also works, but the response time cannot be guaranteed to be as quick compared to text or GroupMe. 

Upon contacting the emergency number and/or GroupMe, please be prepared to describe the location of the cat, the issue present, and the appearance of the cat and the parties involved if applicable. We prefer that you remain on site until a Purrs and Spurs officer arrives, but this is not required. 

An emergency includes but is not limited to; a cat entering a campus building, a heavily injured cat is spotted, a cat is trapped somewhere, students have been observed harming campus cats, a cat is actively being disruptive in an area, etc. 

A non-emergency includes but is not limited to; a cat with a minor injury being spotted, a cat giving birth in a safe area, concerns about shelter locations, a notice about a found or missing cat, etc. We request to be alerted of these scenarios, but an email to the president or a direct message on one of our social media platforms is sufficient to make a report rather than calling the emergency contact number. We will respond back to you within 48 hours of receiving your report. 

Do NOT bring cats inside campus facilities, including the dorms, nor build your own cat shelters on campus without permission. If you are concern about a cat or desire a shelter in a specific area, please contact a Purrs and Spurs officer. 

Do NOT directly handle/touch kittens smaller than the size of your hand unless they are heavily injured, a Purrs and Spurs officer instructed you to do so, or it is in an unsafe area and needs immediate removal. Contact a Purrs and Spurs officer for further instruction. If you hear a kitten crying and appears to be alone, alert a Purrs and Spurs Officer of its location and we will monitor the situation. It is likely the mother has left to retrieve food/water or is actively transporting kittens one by one. Please do NOT disturb them. Feral cats differ from domestic cats and will abandon their young if they smell like humans. 

Do NOT directly interact with any cats on campus in general. The officers of Purrs and Spurs are trained to handle feral and stray cats. If you are concern about a campus cat, contact an officer or use the emergency contact information if immediate action is required. 

Purrs and spurs is only responsible for cats found ON CAMPUS. We cannot respond to a situation off campus. Please call animal control or local rescues regarding issues in areas off campus. 

If you find a dead animal (including cats), please call the SSC Physical Facilities number for the campus and report the cats location to them. Number: (254) 968-9065