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Feral Cat Activity on Property

Modesto Junior College has experienced an ongoing issue involving a growing population of feral cats on campus property. Campus Safety has received numerous reports from employees, students, and visitors regarding concerns associated with these animals. While many members of the community view cats as friendly domestic pets, feral cats are not domesticated animals. They exist in a wild or untamed state and may display unpredictable behavior.

Why This Matters

The presence of feral cats on campus creates several health, sanitation, and safety concerns for the college community.
Some of the most common issues reported include:

  • Strong odors and sanitation concerns, including animal feces and urine on campus equipment and building areas.
  • Aggressive or defensive behavior when feral cats feel threatened.
  • Property damage, including spray markings on building walls and campus vehicles.
  • Animals nesting in campus equipment, including golf carts and maintenance vehicles.

Campus Safety has documented more than thirty feral cats residing in areas including:

  • Visitor-side stadium seating
  • The Classroom Annex
  • The Journalism Building area

These animals are primarily attracted to the area due to food being left on campus by unknown individuals.

Feeding Feral Cats Creates Additional Problems

Although well-intentioned, leaving food out for feral cats contributes significantly to the problem. Food sources encourage animals to remain on campus and increase the size of the colony.
Food left outdoors can also attract other pests such as:

  • Cockroaches
  • Ants
  • Rats and mice

Facilities staff have already reported pest activity on West Campus related to food being left outside.

Health Risks

Feral cats frequently carry parasites such as fleas, which can bite humans and transmit disease. Exposure may occur through direct contact with cats or through contaminated environments such as carts, seating areas, or building entrances.

Fleas have been known to transmit diseases including:

  • Typhus
  • Plague (rare but documented)
  • Tapeworm infections

In addition, cats may carry other zoonotic diseases that can affect humans, including:

  • Rabies
  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Scabies and other parasites

These risks are particularly concerning for individuals with compromised immune systems, allergies, or for pregnant individuals, as toxoplasmosis can cause serious complications.

Animal Welfare Concerns

The feral environment is also dangerous for the cats themselves. Several incidents have occurred on campus where cats were:

  • Found deceased due to illness
  • Injured after entering vehicle engine compartments
  • Exposed to predators or environmental hazards

Feral cats often suffer from disease, starvation, or trauma due to lack of veterinary care.

County Regulations

Stanislaus County Ordinance Chapter 7.54 addresses pet overpopulation and the management of feral cats. Under county regulations, individuals who regularly feed feral cats may be considered caretakers and must:

  • Register with the Stanislaus County Department of Animal Services
  • Arrange for cats to be spayed or neutered
  • Ensure cats are vaccinated
  • Identify sterilized cats through ear tipping or tagging
  • Campus Safety has not observed ear-tipped or tagged cats within the campus colony, indicating that most animals have likely not been sterilized or vaccinated.

Current Campus Safety Actions

Campus Safety is working with Facilities and Risk Management to address the situation through several measures:

  • Posting signage requesting individuals not feed wild animals on campus
  • Monitoring known feeding locations
  • Working with Facilities to clean and sanitize affected areas
  • Exploring humane deterrent methods such as ultrasonic cat deterrent devices

Community Cat Program

Stanislaus County also offers a Community Cat Program that supports humane population control through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. These programs:

  • Humanely trap feral cats
  • Spay or neuter them
  • Vaccinate them
  • Return them to their territory
  • Over time, this process reduces colony size and decreases nuisance behavior such as spraying, fighting, and uncontrolled breeding.

District Policy

YCCD policy recognizes service animals as defined under ADA guidelines. Service animals are limited to trained dogs (and in some cases miniature horses) that assist individuals with disabilities.

Feral animals are not recognized under district policy and their presence on campus may create safety and sanitation concerns.

How You Can Help

Members of the campus community can assist by:

  • Not feeding feral animals on campus
  • Reporting animal concerns to Campus Safety
  • Avoiding contact with wild or stray animals
  • Not allowing animals to shelter in campus equipment or vehicles

Campus Safety and Risk Management remain committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The District is currently reviewing possible policy updates and resource allocations to better manage this issue.

Community cooperation will be essential in addressing the feral cat population in a humane, lawful, and effective manner.

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