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Special Residents on Campus

2025-06-04 JIANG Sijia

At Zhejiang University, alongside the students, teachers, and staff, there’s another group of long-term residents: the small animals that call our campus home. Thanks to the university’s rich natural environment, a variety of wildlife has settled here—including kittens, puppies, squirrels, birds, and even swans.

Among them, cats are the most commonly seen. As wild cats tend to reproduce quickly, it’s not unusual to spot strays wandering around campus. Over the years, they’ve become a familiar and beloved presence, affectionately nicknamed “senior students” by the campus community.

True to the reputation of university students as some of the friendliest people around, no one chases these little visitors away. On the contrary, many students regularly bring them treats and snacks. As a result, the cats—especially those living near the dormitories—have grown quite plump and content, living peacefully alongside us as part of everyday campus life.

In addition to the friendly students who feed them, there’s also a dedicated group working behind the scenes to ensure the well-being of these animals: the members of the Animal Protector Association. They play a crucial role in managing the stray cat population on campus by humanely capturing the cats and arranging for their sterilization, helping to prevent uncontrolled breeding. Beyond that, they keep a close eye on the health of the kittens, raise funds to treat sick or injured cats, and do everything they can to ensure each feline friend enjoys a safe and happy life at Zhejiang University.