For this week’s Welcome to the Jungle article, meet Julius the cat! Julius is a 10-year-old tom cat who belongs to sophomore early childhood education major Kara Bidgood Enders. Bidgood Enders met Julius when he was a rescue, and she noted that he actually wasn’t the cat that her family went to see when they adopted him.

“When my family was looking for cats, we decided to meet many cats in one day from different foster homes,” Bidgood Enders said. “We have always loved orange cats, and when [Julius] curled up in my mom’s arms and started purring, we knew we were chosen.”

Julius lives with Bidgood Enders in Ober residence hall on Elizabethtown College’s campus as an emotional support animal (ESA). Although Julius is an ESA, Bidgood Enders is of the belief that Julius needs her as much as she needs him. 

“I think he needs emotional support sometimes,” Bidgood Enders said. 

Julius, like most cats, has his favorite things to eat and to do. He is particularly fond of any food including gravy, as well as wet food. His favorite toys are any crochet item that Bidgood Enders’ roommate makes. He loves the usual cat activities of sleeping and eating and also likes what Bidgood Enders described as “typical orange cat behavior.” 

For those who do not know, cats’ fur colors often are associated with the kind of personality they have. Unlike dogs, who often are described by their breed, cats are often strays with no defined lineage, so people use a cat’s coat color to describe them and their personality. Orange cats are known to be especially rambunctious and lively. On top of being an orange cat, Julius is also a tabby, which is a playful, friendly, affectionate and food motivated cat. 

Bidgood Enders has had many memorable moments with Julius since her family adopted him. These memories seem to revolve around food—not surprisingly according to her. 

“He has eaten an entire bag of cat treats in one sitting,” Bidgood Enders said. 

Julius, like all animals, has his own personality quirks and traits that Bidgood Enders has picked up in the time she’s had him. 

“He is so sweet and loves everyone who is nice to him,” Bidgood Enders said. 

While Julius is already around 10 years old, Bidgood Enders looks forward to sharing the rest of her college experience together with him. They have many more years left of memories to make.