One might find themselves cycling down Spring Street on a crisp September evening as an unnamed long-haired black cat sits perched on the steps of a house. The door opens, and a girl peeks out, followed by a dog unexpectedly flying out of the door, chasing after a startled cat. The dog runs halfway down the block before its owners find it and safely bring it back home, while the cat has clawed itself up a tree.
This is an eventful evening for one of the many cats of Grinnell, and one Instagram account, @catsofgrinnell, has taken up the task of cataloging (no pun intended) these beloved felines for the wider world to see.
The @catsofgrinnell account compiles contributed pictures of Grinnell’s cats from around town. The account currently has 90 posts and has garnered roughly 230 cat-loving followers. Originally created by an anonymous Grinnellian in October 2021, the account changed hands in May 2023 and is now operated by Jules Wood `25.
“I just … messaged the person and was like, ‘I am really interested in the cats here, I … really like to walk around and take pictures of them, and I would be interested in taking over this account,’ and since then, it’s … been really fun,” said Wood.
Wood said she usually find the cats she photographs by going on walks around town. “I take a lot of pictures for [the account], but what’s fun is that people will … send me pictures that they take.” She often carries treats on her walks to “lure” cats to her.
Wood said she has met roughly 50-60 cats in her time operating the Instagram account, but it’s hard for her to tell if she’s seeing the same cat multiple times. Her personal favorites are the cats that are slightly skittish at first.
Although Wood has enjoyed managing the account, she knows that it will soon need a new owner. “I’m gonna graduate this year, so I’m hoping that I can find someone else who will take over the account when I’m not on campus,” she said.
One notable cat is Opal, a gray cat who was first spotted around fall 2023, digging through the trash at a nearby Casey’s General Store, according to Dari Barn owner, Ginette McFarland.
“We contacted PALS [Poweshiek Animal League Shelter] last fall, when she showed up, because she has cropped ears, and no tail,” said McFarland. Cropped ears usually indicate that a cat has been spayed, but according to McFarland, “She showed up pregnant this spring.” Tracey, a Dari Barn worker, added, “Her ears, we figured out, were probably frostbitten.”
McFarland added that interestingly, Opal’s lack of a tail seems to be genetic, as three of her four kittens were born missing tails as well.
After Opal’s first litter of four, she had more kittens, but McFarland is unsure where they are or if they have survived. “She looks young, she just had kittens, and here she was having more, and we had no idea until she showed up and looked very pregnant, and then, all of a sudden isn’t pregnant anymore,” said McFarland.
“Opal is not a very friendly cat; even if she allows someone to pet her, she may still turn back and … bite [them],” said McFarland. She warns community members to be extra careful when interacting with Opal.
Grinnell’s cats are a cornerstone of its community. Whether being chased up a tree or photographed by a community member, the cats of Grinnell have a very strong presence on campus and within the greater community as a whole.
Rebecca Pounds • Sep 17, 2024 at 11:57 am
I’m very happy that the people are getting to know the cats 🐈⬛ and that they’re doing well. The residents are doing the right thing. Hooray for them!!!