A new group called the Palmerton Cat Project asked borough council for help last week.

Members of the group, Barbara Greenzweig, Jessica Schuon and Kristin Lucykanish, all Palmerton residents said the group was formed to address the feral cat problem the borough."This isn't about liking cats, although we do," Greenzweig said. "This is about taking care of a problem."Greenzweig told them about the two colonies of feral cats living in the area of Lafayette and Colombia avenues and Lafayette and Franklin avenues. She said they have gotten medical care for 42 feral cats in a six-block radius, and currently are working on trapping a large population of more than 72 cats.Sometimes they find cats that have bullet or acid wounds or other abusive wounds from encounters with people. When possible, the group finds homes for them. So far, they have found homes for more than 200 cats (kittens and tame cats), she said."You can be defensive or proactive," Greenzweig said. "We've chosen to be proactive."Palmerton does not have anyone who catches stray cats or dogs, Councilman Terry Costenbader said after the meeting.Greenzweig says the trap, neuter, release program is a proactive solution to the problem."Trap, neuter, release is a better program than catch and kill," Schuon said. "Managed colonies will be beneficial to communities. There are no kittens and a 66 percent reduction of the population over three years."The life span of an outdoor cat is about three years, compared with 13 for an indoor cat, she said.By releasing the cats and creating managed colonies instead of euthanizing them, the colonies keep out newcomer cats, Schuon said. If the cats are trapped and killed, then more cats will just fill in and the problem doesn't end. When cats are spayed or neutered, the typical behavior problems like spraying, fighting and yowling also end, she said.And the rodent population is kept down, Greenzweig added.The group has been providing the medical care to these cats to solve the reproduction problem, but they have also constructed shelters since established colonies will keep out any new cats.Representatives asked council for permission to place fundraising cans throughout the borough labeled Coins for Cats.Another suggestion was a donation bin for cat food for people with low income to feed their pets.They also asked the council to consider a $1 fee per household to help fund the Palmerton Cat Project.Costenbader asked the members of the cat project, "Can someone tell me what government agency has jurisdiction over cats?"No one could answer him for certain.Council asked for clarification about why capturing and euthanizing cats only leads to more cats taking their place instead of reducing the population.Members asked if trapping, neutering and releasing in conjunction with providing shelter and food lengthens the life span of outdoor cats.Costenbader said, "The SPCA website says that if you feed them, they can last 12 years."Councilwoman Holly Sell said she was surprised that in her research, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is against trap, neuter, release and advocates for euthanasia."They believe trap/euthanasia is more humane because most feral cats won't live to old age, because they are going to be abused or poisoned."Sell said the borough's ordinance concerning animal care says that if a person takes care of an animal, then they become responsible for it as a pet. She's concerned that the group's actions may be breaking the borough's ordinance."I think what you are doing is from your heart," Sell said. "I believe you are animal lovers. At the same time, I need more research in order to back this organization."