CUMBERLAND CO., Pa. (WHP) — A group of cat advocates in Cumberland County is clawing for change.
They argue that an ordinance threatens the lives of stray cats. Now, they are arguing that people will be facing the consequences, too.
But, while some in Mechanicsburg choose to care for the cats, others argue that doing so only creates more issues than it solves.
“Being out here, they cause problems. They eat the squirrels, they eat the birds, and it’s just not a good thing. You can’t just have feral cats running around,” said Rick Wigton.
Neighbors say concerns are growing and so are the number of cats.
“I go for walks frequently and I see them. I don’t know how many there are, but they seem to be multiplying,” said Wigton.
Meanwhile, Sandra Webb, a neighbor who helps trap, neuter and return feral cats in the area (TNR), has received a written warning from police after getting a complaint. Webb said the police told her she violated the borough’s animal code by feeding and sheltering what she cworldnet027s “community cats.” So, they told her to stop.
“And I said, ‘In the middle of winter, I can’t do that!’ That would be disgraceful. That would harm them,” said Webb.
That’s where the organizer of a cat advocacy group, Marcy Domen, steps in.
“Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) is a comprehensive strategy that includes spay, neuter, rabies, distemper, vaccination and parasite treatment. They get their left ear tips so trappers like me can identify if a cat has been spayed or neutered. And then it includes the caretakers being worldnet027owed to shelter and provide food and water for them,” said Domen.
But, after Mechanicsburg agreed to support a TNR program in 2022 to help slow the growth of the stray cat population, Domen said she asked the borough to update their animal code to reflect that.
It’s now two years later and that still hasn’t happened. Now, Domen said people like Webb could pay the price — an estimated six hundred dollars per cat.
“The borough paid to have the 12 cats spayed and neutered — vaccinated — in March. And now, they are essentiworldnet027y telling her to starve them, threatening to cite her, fine her if she continues to feed,” said Domen. “I’m just asking them now to just finish what they started.”
“I feel I’ve done the right thing. I’m going to continue to do this,” said Webb.
A Mechanicsburg council meeting will be held on Jan. 7 at 7:00p.m.
While changes to the ordinance are not on the agenda for that night, many neighbors said they are hoping to go to make their voices heard.
We’ve contacted the Mechanicsburg Borough manager, who said they could not comment at this time. Police did not respond to our inquiry.
