For a short period of time, Princeton had a live tiger on its campus. The tiger resided at Princeton for several weeks in 1923, its stay coming to an end when meat bills got too pricey.
But today, our campus boasts a different type of tiger: a fluffy orange emotional assistance cat by the name of Wrenjamin. The Daily Princetonian spoke with Via Matthews ’26, Wrenjamin’s owner, to learn more about the little tiger.
Daily Princetonian (DP): How did Wrenjamin get his name?
Via Matthews (VM): My mom actually started calling him Wrenjamin. Wrenjamin Norris III is his full name. It’s just that thing when you see a cat, and you know their name, but you can call them whatever because they don’t really care. These days, he’s been going by Baby Cat.
DP: How were you able to bring him from home to Princeton?
VM: I got him in October of 2021. I’m a Questbridge scholar, so I knew very early that I was going to Princeton — like, December 1. I had already been meeting with a therapist to get myself prepared to go to college and go away for the first time for that long. Then, I just immediately felt a connection with this cat. He was so tiny, and I raised him. So, I started going through the process of asking, “what would it be like if I could take him to college?” He’s just my baby, and I need him. So, I talked to my therapist about that. I didn’t even know that you could register emotional support animals, but it was a wonderful process. My therapist was so patient and kind and helpful with that. He has official paperwork I have to renew, but he’s all up to date.
DP: How does Wrenjamin help you?
VM: He is wonderful emotional support. When I’m having a stressful day, he’ll lay on my chest and just purr. If I’m crying, he’s right there on my lap somewhere. Being able to show up for him is also healing for me, in a way. It’s just so wonderful to know I can go home and I’m never alone, because I have this little guy who’s my whole world, and I’m certainly his whole world, and we just look forward to seeing each other every day.
DP: Was it difficult to go through the process?
VM: On my end, it was not hard to get the documentation I needed. I feel like I had a very supportive team behind me, and I knew what I wanted, so I also was able to advocate for myself. In my case, once you are approved for an emotional support or assistance animal, it’s approved for all four years. Thankfully, it’s a one and done.
DP: What has it been like to have him? Have there been any challenges?
VM: Honestly, the only challenge is travel — not because of him, he’s a gem. He’s quiet on the plane. He flies so perfectly. When we go through TSA, he sits on my shoulder and doesn’t make a peep. But it costs $150 just for one way to travel with him, and that definitely adds up. Obviously, I never leave him, but it’s always a hard decision, and it takes a few months of preparation to know that I can travel with him so I can save up and take care of that. But having him on campus directly — he’s wonderful, and I made so many friends because of him.
DP: How did he help you make friends?
VM: Being able to mutually bond over such a sweet creature who loves everyone was so good for making friends [during my] first year. Anytime I name-drop him or tell people I have a cat, they’re like, “Oh my god, can I come meet him?” And [I say], “Of course you can!” He just loves attention so much.
DP: Do you ever find it difficult balancing being a student and having a cat?
VM: Definitely, yeah. I’m always thinking, “I have to go home and feed him,” because obviously he’s on a routine. He knows when he’s getting to bed. Sometimes I have to leave an event early, but sometimes it works out in my favor — it’s a great excuse sometimes. Obviously, I want the best for him, and I always prioritize him first, but it definitely takes more planning every single day to make sure that I can be home at a certain time to feed him. I never try to stay out of my dorm for too long, because I don’t want him to get under-stimulated, or start feeling sad, or like he’s being left [behind]. I try to spend a lot of time with him.
DP: Where on campus do you live and what is that like for having a cat?
VM: I’ve been in New College West all three years, which has worked out because the dorms are quite big. I’ve been in a Jack-and-Jill setup every year, so I’ve been able to put the litter box in the bathroom, which is wonderful to have that shared space. I also have to factor in walking [to my dorm]. It’s never just a quick thing, like “Oh, I’ll go feed him and I’ll come back.” Because personally, once I’m in my dorm, I’m done for the night. And unfortunately, a lot of the upperclassmen dorms are just not suited for an animal. [For example], if there’s no AC, I would be terrified about leaving him in the warm months at the beginning of school.
DP: Have you found a community of people with emotional support animals on campus?
VM: I wouldn’t say a community, but I’ve definitely seen people’s cats in the window of their dorm just walking by. I’ve seen some people walking their cat a few times, which is very cute. One of the rules of having an emotional support animal is that they’re only confined to the dorm, so I’m not sure what that would look like. If there was — oh my god — a cat meet-and-greet … I think that’s a really good idea. [Wrenjamin] grew up with cats, and I think it can get lonely if you’re just one creature by yourself.
DP: So he hasn’t been anywhere on campus besides NCW?
VM: No, he’s always known NCW. For his birthday, actually, on September 21, I took him out on Poe Field and had a little birthday for us. There were people playing frisbee and football all around. I think he was very nervous, but he enjoyed stepping in the grass and hanging out.
DP: Did your friends come?
VM: Yeah, of course! He also had a little tuna cake. He turned three.
DP: He kind of looks like you!
VM: Oh yeah. He has green eyes, like his mom. I feel like I birthed him.
Wrenjamin and Via sitting on Poe Field, celebrating Wrenjamin’s third birthday
Courtesy of Via Matthews
DP: What would you say to those on campus considering getting an emotional assistance animal?
VM: I don’t want to say that the system is abused, but I also have known some people who don’t give their emotional assistance animal proper care while they’re at school. That might come from people never owning a cat before — or a dog — but there are specific needs that a cat requires that can’t be overlooked.
They’re not just a chill creature who’s fine on their own — that’s why I’m very intentional about going to spend time with them, because I know that they’re social creatures. At the end of the day, they thrive off of people and interactions. My two cents if you’re going to try to go through this process is to make sure that you are prepared to take care of an animal. I’ve also heard in conversation, people being like, “Yes … I want to get a pet. I want to bring a pet.” Sometimes I get asked, “Oh, how did you get a pet on campus?” But he’s not a pet, and that needs to be made very clear.
DP: If Wrenjamin could rate Princeton, what would he say?
VM: I think he would go 10 out of 10, maybe nine out of 10, because sometimes I’m hard on him about completing his degree and doing his homework. If I have to sit here and do this stuff, he’s gonna do it, too. My little Princeton tiger is going to graduate with me, for sure.
Raphaela Gold is a head Features editor for the ‘Prince.’
Mira Eashwaran is an associate Features editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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