The university's feline residents Caring for campus cats benefits students’ emotional and social health, say club members, and keeps cats healthier BY KIMO BURGESS AND OLIVIA HIXSON
Among the struggles of school and being away from home, students of the BYU–Hawaii Campus Cats Club expressed how joy and reassurance come from caring for furry felines living on campus. Campus Cats Club member Samson Wong, a senior from Hong Kong studying accounting, said when he feeds the campus cats, he feels uplifted and needed by something outside of himself. “I think cats actually cure people’s hearts. When you are lonely and need someone to talk with, you can always chat with the cat.” Campus Cats Club Secretary Aislinn Lawrence, a sophomore from Michigan studying graphic design, said caring for multiple cats helped her become more involved in campus activities and gave her comfort during hard times. “With the cats, you can go and pet them. When you gain their trust, you can pet them more, they will cuddle with you, and you feel wanted by them. Part of it is the food, but they grow to recognize you… It’s nice to feel wanted by them.”
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“I think cats actually cure people’s hearts. When you are lonely and need someone to talk with, you can always chat with the cat.” - Samson Wong
