The environment on campus is managed by staff and students alike, but hidden behind every bush is a wild feline that keeps Delta in top shape.

In a delicate balance, the cats of Delta eat wild rodents and in return a small group of cat enthusiasts feed, hydrate and watch over them.

Claudia Mackey, a community education coordinator, is one of the said enthusiasts.

She said there are more than 17 cats roaming freely on campus.

When feral cats are found on campus, the group takes them to local veterinarians where the animals are spayed and neutered. The cats are then released back on campus.

Many, though, are found good homes, said Mackey.

“We probably found homes for 20 cats in the last five years,” said Mackey.

All cats at Delta are fed with donations, which comes from students and little events held by the group, including garage sales and raffles.

This group runs roughly on $1,000 a year.

“I bring three-gallon bags with me, but I usually don’t use three-gallons of food in one day,” said Mackey.

Cats are only fed dry food, and altogether the animals eat about three pounds a day.

This unofficial cat community was founded several years ago to deal with stray cats on campus, and was later disbanded.

The group came back after a rising issue with rampant vermin.

“We don’t have much of a rodent problem because we have cats,” said Mackey.

Anyone interested in helping the cats on campus can donate food or money to the cashiers’ office for the “campus cats.”