Community support continues to pour in to trap and transport 20-plus cats that have made The Mahoning Drive-In Theater lot their home.

Gates will open at 6 p.m., with showtime at 7:30 p.m. Thursday for The Mahoning Lot Cats Fundraiser Event, a special one-night-only double feature in aid of the drive-in’s ever-growing population of Kitty City on the Drive-In lot.

Virgil Cardamone, owner/operator of the Mahoning Drive-In Theater, said Friday the outpouring of love from the community has been greatly appreciated.

“We got (Carbon County) Friends of Animals, and Forgotten Felines helping us out, we got appointments set for all of the 20-plus cats; the fundraiser was successful,” Cardamone said. “Our on-site event on Thursday is going to have donation boxes so we can give the families kind of a starter box.”

Cardamone said the situation began about a month or two ago, but noted the cats haven’t caused any problems for the drive-in.

He said they’ll do a family-friendly, cat-themed screening, then have intermission, and then do an adult-themed horror film at night to help the kittens.

Cardamone encouraged everyone to stay tuned to the drive-in’s social media for details on the event, as well as details on how to help the cats.

“This is a community effort, and once again the community has come through for the Mahoning Drive-In,” Cardamone said.

He said tickets for the event are available at mahoningdit.com.

The drive-in posted more details on its Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.

“Every year a few stray cats find their way to the Mahoning (Drive-In), attracted no doubt by the steady supply of popcorn and classic films,” the post states. “Our staff feed and care for them, finding homes for all at season’s end, but this year we’ve got a lot more in the meow mix, with almost two dozen feral feline friends taking up residence in and around the theater.

“In an effort to get these little critters with a case of the friskies fixed, healthy, and homed, we’re holding this special fundraiser to help pay for necessary procedures, medicine, and fees,” the drive-in said.

The goal is to get the cats ready for adoption and forever homes.

“Just like the total number of lot cats and where they came from, we’re keeping the film titles a mystery until they hit the screen, a pawesome pair of feline-focused flicks sure to make you purr with delight! First up will be a family-friendly furry frolic, followed after intermission by an R-rated scary scratcher not for scaredy-cats!” the post continued.

There will be limited edition merchandise, themed concessions, costumed characters, a live DJ and more, the post states.

Visitors are invited to bring cat food, cat toys and other kitty items to put in the 20 donation boxes to be donated to each lot cat to get them settled into their new homes.

To donate directly: https://www.paypal.com/biz/profile/MahoningDrivein (be sure to put “Lot Cats” in the message and mark as “Gift”)

Anyone wishing to help purchase items for the cats can use this link: bit.ly/4idHqTR