Why there are cats on campus
Like most Israeli universities, Bar-Ilan shares its grounds with free-roaming community cats. Many were born on campus; others arrived from the surrounding Ramat Gan neighborhoods. The colonies are part of campus life — they keep rodent populations down, and for many students they're a small, welcome moment of calm between classes.
The TNR approach
The accepted standard for managing community cats in Israel is Trap–Neuter–Return (TNR): cats are humanely trapped, sterilized and vaccinated by a vet, then returned to the colony they came from. TNR stabilizes colony size over time, reduces fighting and spraying, and improves the overall health of the cats — without the cruelty (and ineffectiveness) of removal.
On campus this work is led by volunteer students and staff, often in coordination with the Ramat Gan municipality's veterinary services and local cat-welfare nonprofits.
Feeding stations
Designated feeding spots help concentrate the cats in safe, predictable areas — away from roads, building entrances and food-service areas. A few principles the volunteers follow:
- Dry food only at most stations; wet food spoils quickly in the sun.
- Fresh water every day, especially in summer.
- Stations cleaned regularly; no food left to attract pests.
- Feeding times kept consistent so cats don't wander looking for food.
Veterinary care
Sick or injured cats are taken to partner clinics for treatment. Kittens young enough to be socialized are usually pulled from the colony and placed for adoption rather than returned. If you spot a cat that looks unwell — visible wounds, severe limping, eye discharge, extreme thinness — note the location and report it to the campus volunteers rather than approaching the animal yourself.
How students and staff can help
- Don't feed cats from random spots. Scattered feeding draws cats into traffic and creates conflict with other building users.
- Don't move kittens. Their mother is almost always nearby. Contact the volunteers first.
- Report newcomers. A new un-eartipped adult is probably un-neutered — flag it so it can be added to the next TNR round.
- Adopt, don't shop. Friendly young cats from campus are regularly looking for homes.
- Donate or volunteer. Food, carriers and vet costs are funded almost entirely by the people who show up.
Spotted a cat? Send us the photo
BIU Pets is a community gallery of the animals living on campus. If you took a good photo of one of the cats, we'd love to add it.