Eleven more cats have been removed from a vacant Bowmanstown property, bringing the tally to 58 from a rescue that began earlier this month.

The total number of cats saved is 38. Twenty cats have died, while most of the rest are being treated by veterinarians and spayed and neutered.

Stacy Frable, secretary of the Palmerton Cat Project, said that 28 of the 38 cats have been spayed and neutered, and that the only ones that have not are either nursing mothers or kittens that are not of weight.

“We’re very glad,” Frable said. “We had trail cams and tarps set up to see if any additional cats were coming to eat; we’re still going to monitor for the next few days.

“Our biggest challenge now is going to be to find forever homes for the cats in foster care. Many of the cats in our care, they’re adoption fees have already been sponsored.”

To date, Frable said the Palmerton Cat Project has received over $5,000 worth of donations, though they’ve already spent about that on medical care, and know more expenses will be coming.

“We’re so thankful for the donations we’ve received, and help from the other rescues,” she said. “Thankfully, these cats are very friendly, which makes our job a lot easier.”

Barb Greenzweig, president of the Palmerton Cat Project, said they are “cautiously optimistic” they may be done.

“There were no pictures of cats coming,” Greenzweig said. “I refreshed the bait in the trap, set the camera up again, fresh water is out for them; we want to go two more days without any more activity before we can safely say we’ve got them all.”

Greenzweig also thanked their rescue partners who have been able to take several cats in the area.

“So, that’s made it so much easier,” she said. “We did get them all ready though, spayed, neutered, microchipped, combo-tested, dewormed; they’ve been really good to work with.”

Greenzweig added, “we appreciate all the support from everyone.”

“Our biggest challenge is adoptions, but we have eight sponsored adoptions; 12 cats and kittens are in our care at this time,” she said. “Most of them are under 2 years of age.”

A total of 47 cats were initially removed from the vacant Bowmanstown home last weekend.

Greenzweig said any donations for the medical care of the cats would be appreciated, and can be mailed to Palmerton Cat Project, P.O. Box 24, Palmerton, PA, 18071, and simply notate Bowmanstown Cats.

Frable said anyone interested in giving any of these cats a home, an adoption link can be found on the Palmerton Cat Project Facebook page.