Written and photos by Christina Meiser
Meet Mr. & Mrs. Moose, affectionately referred to as “The Moose’s,” are two of the campus cats residing at Florida Southern College. They are closely bonded seniors who are inseparable.
Mrs. Moose was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and Mr. Moose has developed melanoma; two aggressive types of cancers.
Unfortunately, due to the stage that Mrs. Moose’s lymphoma is at, the vet does not believe chemo would be effective. They also advised against removing the melanoma from Mr. Moose, as doing so would only cause it to come back faster and more severe with the additional risk of it spreading. With that said, our vet does not feel that either of them is in pain. We are keeping in close contact with our vets and monitoring the Mooses closely for any changes.
Currently, they are both doing well. They are taking their meds well, enjoying the extra treats, toys, and attention. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that Mr. and Mrs. Moose are able to maintain their quality of life.
Click here to help. 100% of the proceeds from these shirts will help cover the costs of their medications and anything else needed to help them stay comfortable for however long they have left. Each day with them is a gift and we are cherishing each moment spent with our two sweet seniors.
About the Campus Cats
Florida Southern College is home to approximately 35 community cats. They have been spayed, neutered, and vaccinated through TNR (Trap, Neuter Return).
TNR is a process in which feral cats are humanely trapped, sterilized, and returned to their communities where they are monitored and cared for by caretakers. It is the only method proven to reduce the stray and feral cat population and is the most humane option as well.
The cats are cared for by the Care Team, who is responsible for all aspects of the cats’ care. The Care Team feeds each day and traps newcomers to have them sterilized and vaccinated. They treat minor injuries or illnesses or make sure the cats are seen by one of our excellent veterinarians to keep them as healthy as possible. Certain cats are even on specialized diets and some receive treatments for allergies.
About the Cat Club
The FSC Campus Cat Club was founded in 2015 and is a student-run organization on campus that raises money to offset the cost of care for the campus cats. Funding raised by the students covers vet bills, food purchases, and anything else needed for the cats. The students also work to educate others about the cats and the benefits of practicing TNR. Facebook