.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico recently had to relocate cats that called the campus home.

The cats used to live near the Center for the Arts and the old water reservoir behind Popejoy Hall. They gained a reputation as the “unofficial mascots of the College of Fine Arts” and could often be seen lounging atop of cars in the sun. A student once even built a wooden shelter for the felines.

But those days are done. The cats lived near a construction site, and the campus community who watched and fed the cats felt the felines should be moved for their safety.

The campus cats basking in the afternoon sun on a car hood. The felines have been relocated due to construction. Courtesy Photo.

UNM staff last week caught and relocated two of the three cats to Mandy’s Farm, a nonprofit in the South Valley. Judi Mersereau, a UNM staffer who helped capture the cats, said the other cat, who she calls “Stevie,” is still on campus despite her efforts to try and catch him. Mersereau said she has been feeding the cats for the past decade.

A cat that used to live on the University of New Mexico campus is getting used to her new home at Mandy’s Farm. Courtesy Photo.

“I will miss having them here,” Mersereau said. “They walk with their tails intertwined—people always stop and take photos of them.”