Fay Schneider has lived a highly unusual life. Hailing from the southern United States, she was homeless and pregnant when she was found by a rescue sanctuary and adopted by Ella Schneider, a student at Ursinus .Non nonsedi taquass undande expla The 8-year-old black cat currently resides in the Brodbeck Hall dorm building on campus and has lived with Ella since she was 1 ½ years old. After delivering her litter, Fay remained in foster care and pet stores before being adopted by the Schneiders and living with extended family. Fay is decidedly not a cat’s cat, preferring the company of humans over her furry counterparts and shying away from them. Ella says, “She took a minute to get comfortable, but now she is fully adjusted (to being a house cat).” She is very food driven, often meowing loudly at Ella when she is hungry, so “you know when it’s mealtime.”
From my time spent with Ella and her cat in their dorm, it became apparent that it takes a special kind of cat to live in a dorm. As a cat owner myself, I can definitively say that my cats are not cut out for this life. Travel in a carrier for difficult for any animal, but Fay takes it like a champ, making her discomfort clear, but not fighting for freedom “She doesn’t enjoy it… she will give a distressed meow or two and a dirty look,” says Ella. My two cats both hate travel and actively run away at the sight of the carrier.
Fay also adjusted very quickly to Ella’s roommate, Caro, initially sleeping on Ella’s bed and now transferring over to Caro’s. Caro knew about Fay before she arrived at the school and was excited to meet her. “(At first) I thought she didn’t like me because she would always hide in the closet.” Indeed, Fay has been known to hide in Ella’s closet when new visitors arrive, but usually comes out when everyone has sat down. Fay had clearly gotten comfortable with Caro, as she was sitting on her lap while I conducted my interview. Caro, being a cat person, loves Fay, saying, “I love her very much… she can be mischievous at moments.” Fay is a large cat and has been known to knock over items on desks when walking on them.
Ella ultimately thinks Fay is happier in the dorm than at home, due to her dislike for other cats. “At my house she would hide from the other cats … she likes the attention she gets here.” When I asked Fay for comment on this, she sniffed my phone and licked her lips. When I was interviewing Fay and Ella, another friend of theirs who lives in the BWC dorm complex visited. When I asked her about Fay, she said, “I think Fay is more friendly than other cats, which is unusual.”
Fay is clearly a unique cat, having lived in multiple different settings before moving into a college dorm. She seems to love life as a dorm cat and thrives in this space, where people are constantly in and out, providing attention to and playing with her when she wants. She’s quick to adjust to new surroundings and people, and is easy to travel with, unlike many housecats I know. While housecats such as my own will do anything not to leave their space and enjoy the comfort, Fay is curious about the happenings outside her room and seems to adjust quickly to new environments.
I think all of these traits make her an ideal dorm cat, and highlight just how unique she is. As Ella continues her journey at Ursinus she plans on taking Fay with her and continuing her career as a roommate.