The Cat Haven of the American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut (AUB) is unlike any other university in the region. Besides its prestigious 160-year history and beautiful seaside location, it’s famously home to around 1,600 cats.
A Unique Beginnings
The cat population on campus dates back to the Lebanese Civil War of the 1980s. As fighting erupted, many animals found refuge at AUB, and they decided to stay. Today, the university provides ongoing support for these cats, especially those abandoned during more recent conflicts.
Henry Matthews, an AUB staff member, recalls the dire situation during the war. “The cats flocked to AUB because it felt safe to them. They stayed, and many became part of our community,” he said.
A Growing Challenge
Recent conflicts, including skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israel, have led to more abandoned pets. Veterinarian Rana Bou Khalil, who runs two cat clinics, reports that in the last two years, she has spayed or neutered 1,000 cats. The population has surged from around 800 to between 1,200 and 1,600. This number is difficult to pin down, given the ongoing abandonment of pets.
“People are leaving their homes and leaving their pets behind,” Bou Khalil states. “AUB has become a sanctuary where owners believe their cats will be cared for.”
Life on Campus
Each cat brought to the clinic is treated—sterilized, vaccinated, and nurtured before being released back into the campus. Bou Khalil sees many abandoned cats who were once house pets, including pure breeds like Persians and Scottish Folds.
A caretaker spends an hour daily feeding the cats across the university grounds. While AUB attempts to facilitate adoptions, the sheer number of abandoned cats makes significant progress nearly impossible.
Not Just About Cats
AUB emphasizes community care and environmental sustainability. The sprawling campus, one of Beirut’s few green spaces, was named a bird sanctuary in 2003 and hosts a variety of wildlife.
Matthews suggests that the stones thrown at the challenges AUB faces underscore a vital lesson. “It teaches students to be kind to those who are weaker or less fortunate.”
Mixed Reactions
While many students love the presence of cats on campus, reactions vary. Joe Nouaime, an engineering student, appreciates the joy they bring, calling them a colorful part of university life. Others, like freshman Lara Moukaddam, find their antics annoying, especially when they wander into classrooms.
“They can walk into class and get up on a chair, and you can’t do anything about it,” Moukaddam explains with a touch of exasperation.
During times of stress, particularly for students from conflict zones, the cats have a calming effect. Layla Shahrur, a computer science student from southern Lebanon, finds solace in their presence. “If you are stressed and pet a cat, it helps you relax,” she shares.
A Place of Refuge
AUB remains committed to its mission of kindness, not just to cats, but to all. As Mimi Touma, an AUB press officer, puts it, the university’s guiding principle of “Let them have life and have it more abundantly” applies to everyone, including the beloved campus cats.
In this unique environment, the cats are more than just animals; they symbolize resilience and community spirit amid the challenges of life in Lebanon.
