EMPORIUM — Feral and stray cats have become a large problem in some areas of Emporium Borough, and council members have approved a move by animal control to revamp ordinances to help combat the problem.
At the most recent borough council meeting, members heard remarks from state certified humane officer and borough dog catcher George Sowers and parking enforcement agent and Cameron County SPCA vice president Lisa Collins concerning the growing population of feral and stray cats within the county.
Council pledged its support in altering current ordinances, which Sowers told The Era “will make the ordinances much easier to enforce.”
“It’s just really hard to enforce that cat ordinance right now,” Sowers said. “The old ordinances focused mostly on dogs, and the part about cats isn’t spelled out. We have certain sections of town where the populations are really out of control.”
Collins said that Sowers receives between 25 and 45 calls per month regarding stray and feral cats.
“People buy little kittens and bring them home, but after they get older or other things happen, they can’t be cared for anymore and people just turn them out on the street. These cats get hungry or sick and end up on the neighbor’s porch and then we get called,” Collins said.
Other problem areas exist throughout the county. Sowers said he has responded to issues in Portage Township and the Sterling Run area, but those situations do not seem as acute as the problems in Emporium.
“It’s a very small community and everything is so close in the borough, it’s really having an impact,” said Sowers. Emporium’s West Ward appears to be hardest hit by the cat dilemma.
Most complaints are made by residents who tire of their gardens and play areas being used as litter boxes, the smell of urine on their front porches or the damage done by feline claws looking for a scratching post.
But, there have been other impacts as well. Emporium has long been a Tree City, and with that typically comes songbirds by the dozen — all different shapes, sizes, colors and sounds. Feral and stray cats looking for an easy meal often prey upon these songbirds along with chipmunks, squirrels and anything else small enough for them to capture. The streets are noticeably quieter these days than they were in years past.
The only thing Sowers and Collins have been able to do thus far is to implement a spay and neuter program. Feral and stray cats are trapped in problem areas, spayed or neutered, and re-released in the area in which they were captured.
Unfortunately, the procedure is cost prohibitive. It costs approximately $100 for the animals to be spayed or neutered, and the program is completely dependent upon donations.
It is hoped that the new ordinances will help in two ways: by educating the public on responsible pet ownership and holding pet owners and residents accountable for cats and the damage they do.
“We really think education is the key to cutting down on the number of cats that are released and allowed to breed in the wild,” Sowers said. “People need to start making educated decisions before becoming a pet owner.”
Collins said the new ordinance will make it illegal to “lure” stray or feral cats in by feeding them. Once a cat is fed, it belongs to the individual providing the food. If a cat does damage to a neighbor’s property by digging in gardens, scratching, urinating or defecating or fighting with other cats, citations and fines will be able to be issued.
In addition, if it is discovered that cat owners are allowing their animals to breed regularly, the owners will be asked for a breeders’ license. If one cannot be provided, the owners can be forced to have the animal spayed or neutered.
Some towns have a law on the book that limits the number of cats each household is allowed to own. Collins said they have not included a provision for this now, but it can be added in the future if it is deemed necessary.
“We don’t want to make anybody angry. We really just want to educate people and cut down on the population of unwanted cats,” said Sowers.
The ordinance is currently in the hands of the borough’s solicitor, who will review the policy, make any necessary changes, and then present the finished product to borough council for a vote.
“The borough has told us that they will back us 100 percent in this, and they want to get something done just as badly as we do,” Collins said.
“When this does come into effect, it will be advertised in local newspapers and announced on the radio so everyone knows what to expect.” Sowers said, adding that the process will likely take a couple of months. Sowers said officials are shooting for the new regulations to be adopted in August.
