The faculty and staff who work out of Bizzini Hall on the campus of California State University, Stanislaus didn’t realize how much one member of their team meant to them until she came up missing last week.

When Peg didn’t show up on Monday and Tuesday, people started to worry. When she finally came around on Wednesday with a severe injury to her right eye, the staff sprang into action, immediately taking the furry feline to a local vet.

Yes, Peg is a campus cat.

“The building cat has been around for years,” said Cal State Stanislaus office coordinator Laura Riddell. “She’s one of the few campus cats who will let people pet her and get into your lap.”

There are at least 10 cats roaming the campus of California State University, Stanislaus at any one time, said Riddell. A few years back there were many more cats, but a Campus Cats Coalition was formed and the group rounded up the free roaming felines and had them spayed or neutered, vaccinated and set up an adoption program.

Peg is one of the remaining cats who now calls Bizzini Hall home.

“Any time of the day you can come out on the porch and find her in someone’s lap,” Riddell said.

The cat is currently being cared for at Monte Vista Small Animal Hospital.

“The eye was sliced and infected,” said Rob Santos, the veterinarian treating Peg. “The wound was so deep that the eye fluid was leaking out, so we had to remove it.”

It’s unclear how Peg got injured, but likely that another animal is responsible, said Santos.

Santos said Peg is sure to make a full recovery and will soon be back at the university helping the faculty and staff of Bizzini Hall.

The staff has already planned a homecoming party for Peg that will coincide with her official renaming to “Xena: Warrior Princess.”

A collection is being taken to pay for Peg’s (Xena’s) surgery and recovery costs. To contribute, contact Laura Riddell at 667-3388.