Maclay’s Newest Purr-fessors

Cats On Maclay’s Campus

Photo courtesy of Joseph McCann

Recently, Maclay students and faculty have noticed some adorable invaders on its campus: cats. Staff discovered a group of three cats hiding under middle school science teacher Cameron Barton’s room. The furry little creatures can be found burrowed under the building, seeking shelter from the recent weather.

However, this isn’t the first time these feral cats have been found on campus. In prior years, cats could be found among other wild animals roaming the school. 

““I know that we’ve got a lot of wild animals,” middle school Technology teacher Dean Garguilo said. “That’s just the way it is, especially bordering the woods.”

Currently, it is believed that the mother of these cats is in the woods near campus, hence why the cats continue to return to Maclay.

With the wild cats walking about, the staff has been readily involved. Many staff members are working to find the cats a new home, but until that can be done, they feed and foster the cats on campus. One of the ringleaders behind this movement to help the cats is Garguilo himself.

“Ultimatly, trying to find them a forever home is the goal,” Garguilo said. “I think acclimating them to people is that first step.”

Garguilo was among the first to take action in feeding the cats; prior to burrowing under Barton’s room, the cats hid near the middle school. Garguilo readily approached the cats, offering them food and water, and formed a special bond with them.  

“Being able to help them, it just makes me feel good,” Garguilo said. “It’s sad to see them go when they do, but it’s great knowing they’re going to a safe and happy home.” 

In addition to Garguilo, many staff members including upper school Spanish teacher Joseph McCann have joined the mission to take care of these cats. 

“Those of us at school that are involved in this deeply care for these cats,” McCann said. “However, they will be brought to some rescue as it gets colder or if they aren’t adopted.”

Not only are the staff invested in these feline friends, some have taken real action in adopting them. Upper school history teacher Stephanie Amidon adopted one of the cats under Barton’s room, taking him home and naming him Diego. 

While Diego has been adopted, two other cats still remain. Their names are Grey and Stripes. Grey has been dubbed “the friendly one” by staff members who take care of the pair. Meanwhile, Stripes is known to be very shy, only coming out of his burrow in Garguilo’s presence.

Although the cats hide under Barton’s room for most of the day, they do vacate the area when nobody is around. 

“While nobody’s at school, so in the late night or early early morning, they leave,” McCann said. “Once I saw Grey doing laps around BFIC. He was running and stopped when he saw me, then ran the opposite way.”

In addition to the cats under Barton’s room, there is also an armadillo, which is suspected to have also come from the woods. The cats and armadillo reportedly live together, with the armadillo often covering the hole under Barton’s room and the cats uncovering it whenever they leave. 

Although these cats may seem adorable, there are some issues with student interaction. 

“I think it's a novelty, I think it’s fun for them (students) to interact with the cats,” McCann said. “But at the same time, it’s a feral animal that could have all sorts of different diseases, including things they could transmit back to their own pets at home.”

Students are advised to keep a distance from the cats, and to act with caution when near them. However, with adult supervision, students can interact with the cats from a distance, and with permission, can help to feed the cats.

As a whole, the staff involved with these cats has done a wonderful job of taking care of them and finding them new homes. And, although it may be sad to see them go, these feline friends have been an adorable addition to Maclay’s campus.