Illinois-Springfield orders halt to feeding feral cats

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The future of feral cat colony at the University of Illinois-Springfield is in question after employees and students have been ordered to no longer feed the animals.

The State Journal-Register in Springfield reports university administrators in a letter cited health and sanitation concerns in issuing the order.

But mathematics instructor Carol Saltsgaver is expressing doubts about the administration's reasoning. She points out the approximately 30 cats don't bother anybody, although they know humans feed them. She says the cat mostly run away when approached by humans.

University spokesman Derek Schnapp said by putting out food for the feral cats, people are also attracting wild animals, which could bite someone or spread disease.

Despite the warning, Saltsgaver says she plans to continue feeding the cats.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com