For years, Cypress College has been home to several colonies of community cats, cared for by students and advocates who leave out food and water on campus. But now, the animals have become the focus of a bitter dispute, with allegations of abuse, a police case, and even a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
According to online posts, including a TikTok video and a website created by advocates, multiple cats have been found dead on the college grounds, some with signs of blunt force trauma. The site alleges that Cypress College maintenance staff, acting under the direction of the college president, have been involved in harming the animals and removing food and water set out for them.
The reports have drawn sharp condemnation from animal welfare advocates, who point to California’s animal cruelty law. The statute makes it a felony to intentionally maim, torture, wound or kill an animal, punishable by up to three years in state prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
“This needs to be brought to light and it needs to be stopped,” one advocate wrote on the Cats of Cypress College website, which documents what it describes as years of disappearances and killings on campus. “Innocent cats didn’t choose this and they shouldn’t be murdered for being born here.”
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The North Colony of cats, located at the maintenance facility in Parking Lot 6, is the largest on campus and the area where most of the deaths have reportedly occurred. Another colony is located on the south side of the campus, according to the site.
Advocates say they have reported the alleged abuse to three different college presidents over the years but claim the killings have continued. In response, the creator of the website announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Cypress Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact the department at (714) 229-6600.
For now, the investigation remains ongoing, with students and advocates continuing to call for the humane treatment of the Cypress College cats.
KTLA has requested additional details from the police but did not immediately hear back.
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