The wrecking ball began to swing on a blighted building in Lehighton where several dozen cats have sought shelter.

Demolition of the property at 135-139 N. First St. got underway Thursday morning after the project had been delayed while the contractor obtained a bond.

Rescuers have worked since February to remove feral cats from the building, but they said they have not gotten all of them.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire, while on site early Thursday afternoon, said a permit was issued to the contractor to demolish the building.

“It’s been a long time coming,” DeWire said. “The well-being of our residents are our first concern.”

Several people from the area stopped by to watch the process as it unfolded.

DeWire said earlier this week that active demolition is expected to last three to four weeks.

He said securing of the neighboring buildings and site work is expected to last three to four more weeks.

DeWire said the project is expected to cost less than the budgeted amount, therefore the borough should have Community Development Block Grant funding to allocate elsewhere in the borough.

At the end of February, an animal group had taken the lead on rescuing cats from the building as the borough and Carbon County were waiting for bond paperwork to be completed by the company contracted to do the work.

Deemed dangerous by officials, the borough has previously aimed for a Feb. 12 start date for mobilization for the property.

Alyson Andrews, a volunteer with Starting Over Animal Rescue, said Thursday afternoon there were at least 10 cats, if not more, believed to have been inside the building.

“There is no doubt that there are cats in there; just have to hope that they hunker down somewhere,” Andrews said. “It is very sad.”

Andrews said Thursday afternoon they were actively trapping every day, and had removed 26.

Andrews said Friday morning that they caught one more cat after the workers left on Thursday.

“Neighbors watched the cats walk back over to the building last evening,” she said. “We are sending the first cat from that building to the Coal Cats Cafe today.”

Andrews encouraged motorists who travel along the bypass and First Street to drive cautiously “in case they are running from the building.” She is concerned they’ll get hit by a car.

Andrews, of Mahoning Township, said four volunteers were actively trapping, and that they just trapped two cats on Monday that were to have been spayed, neutered and vaccinated.

She said at that time their major concern is that it’s prime kitten season and there will be babies born over there.

Andrews added they are also looking for farms/barns who would be willing to take some of the cats who are not adoptable as a house pet.

She said they must meet their barn home criteria and can email at soarvolunteer@outlook.com for more information.

Last month, Andrews put out a plea on Facebook asking for help and posted a list of ways for those interested to assist.

Andrews said they needed dog-sized cages and cat carriers; cat food (dry and canned); flea treatment (frontline); pee pads, newspapers, new litter boxes; temporary foster homes (must have feral cat experience); and monetary donations to help with medical costs (spay/neuter, vaccines, deworming, etc.

She said they were still in need of dry and canned cat food and litter (can be dropped off at Deezines Flowers & Gifts in Jim Thorpe, Carbon County Friends of Animals, Meraki Hair Studio).

Starting Over Animal Rescue Inc. has been trying its best to save as many as possible.

In February that Blue Mountain Animal Rescue Society and its founder Donna Crum, had 11 cats they are housing.

In addition, she added that Carbon County Friends of Animals “has donated significantly to fund this mission,” and noted that the Palmerton Cat Project has offered its help as well.

Lehighton is using Community Development Block Grant funds, administered by Carbon County, for the demotion, which is why the county is involved. Carbon County awarded the demolition contract to Northeast Industrial Services of Shamokin, who bid $186,435 for demolishing and clearing the property.

The demolition of 135-139 N. First St. has been a topic of discussion for several years and has been continuing to deteriorate, creating a potential dangerous situation in the event of a building collapse or fire.