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Residents press borough to address growing feral cat problem
Summary
Multiple residents told the council feral and stray cats are proliferating in neighborhoods; Coco Kitty trapped 17 cats between Dec. 30 and Feb. 28, residents cited feces and health concerns and asked the borough to research ordinances and options.
During the public-comment period, Audrey Sanders of 903 East Oak Street told the council that a growing population of stray and feral cats is creating a nuisance and a public‑health concern in her neighborhood. She said Coco Kitty trapped 17 cats between Dec. 30 and Feb. 28 and that many residents appear to be feeding the animals.
"It's just getting out of hand," Sanders said, describing cat feces and urine in yards and bushes and saying neighbors are having trouble using their outdoor space. She told the council she had reviewed borough ordinances and found no prohibition against feeding cats and asked the borough to look into possible measures. Sanders said some cats returned after spay/neuter release (TNR) and that new cats can move into colonies, limiting the impact of single TNR rounds.
Other residents corroborated the nuisance and sanitation concerns. The borough manager and council thanked speakers and said staff would investigate what could be done, including reviewing ordinances and discussing options with relevant agencies. The zoning/code officer (William Garber) was mentioned as a point of contact for ordinance questions.
