Sorry, Midland Schools Are Not Putting Litter Boxes in Bathrooms for Students Who Identify as Cats

It's an interesting rumor but you don't need to consult Snopes to confirm that this one just ain't true:  Midland Public Schools are not putting litter boxes in school bathrooms for students who identify as furries.

Strangely enough, the district's superintendent had to make that declaration in a public statement.

Rumors Spread Like Wildfire

No one knows exactly how the rumor got started, but numerous threads on Reddit opened the door for discussion that Midland schools had put litter boxes in unisex student bathrooms.

According to Mlive, a parent, appalled by the idea, believed the rumor to be true and addressed the school board at its meeting on December 20 of last year.

“I’m still wrapping my brain around this a little bit, but yesterday I heard something and I was stunned and today I’m equally stunned and a little bit upset,” the parent told the board.

She had heard that students who identify as cats were being provided litter boxes to use in student bathrooms. The rumor that had been circulating actually implied that students who identify as furries, not cats.

Furries are typically said to be "people who have a keen interest in, or even dress up as, anthropomorphic animal characters."

Superintendent Makes a Statement

Superintendent of Schools Michael E. Sharrow shared a communication with parents, dispelling the rumor.

“It is unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication,” Sharrow wrote, “however, our Midland PS stakeholders may be confused about a false message/accusation that has resurfaced this week and is gaining traction in the social media realm.”

It's apparent from the tone of Sharrow's statement that frustration over the topic is growing among school administrators.

“Let me be clear in this communication,” Sharrow wrote. “There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools.”