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Residents urge Springettsbury supervisors to curb feral cat colonies, request feeding ban
Summary
Residents of Old East York urged Springettsbury supervisors to adopt a feeding ban and registration requirement for community cat caretakers, citing sanitation and public-health risks; the township solicitor warned enforcement and resource limits may constrain immediate action.
At the July 24 Springettsbury Township Board of Supervisors meeting, residents pressed the board to address a long-running feral cat problem in Old East York, saying colonies have grown so large that yards, playgrounds and children’s play areas are littered with feces.
"Today, these colonies have exploded to an unimaginable size," said Dawn Snyder of North Marshall Street, who asked the board to prohibit unregulated feeding of stray and feral cats, require anyone caring for community cats to register with animal control, and present proof of spay/neuter and vaccination.
Snyder and neighbors described repeated attempts at trap–neuter–return (TNR) efforts that have been overwhelmed, and said rescues and the SPCA are no longer accepting animals. "We can no longer trap these animals because they are fed so well," she said, and residents reported that feeders regularly leave food deliveries that sustain the colonies.
Other residents described direct impacts. Kathleen Sheehan said professional trappers and rescues are full, and noted there is "nowhere" to place kittens removed from the colonies. Scott Tiebohl said he had trapped eight cats in a week and relocated some animals but continued feeding by neighbors has kept colonies intact; he said his son returned from outside "covered in cat feces." Tiebohl also reported installing security cameras and opening a police investigation after what he described as harassment from a neighbor.
Township Solicitor advised board members that adopting an ordinance to restrict feeding is legally possible but poses practical enforcement challenges. The solicitor said ordinances that restrict feeding often rely on a neighbor reporting mechanism to trigger zoning enforcement and that a monetary fine would be the primary enforcement tool, but added that identifying and prosecuting feeders can be difficult and that enforcement has budgetary implications. He also noted potential civil or criminal exposure for the township if the situation resulted in injuries or disease transmission.
Board members did not vote on an ordinance at the meeting. The solicitor offered to research existing township ordinances and provide sample language or options for the board to consider at a future meeting.
