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CORTLAND -- Due to a warm winter, city officials said they have witnessed increases in feral cats reproducing and are moving to take action.
Mayor Deidre Petrosky said at Monday's council meeting that eight cats in recent weeks have been trapped and then spayed or neutered.
"We want to try and get ahead of this before the spring litters begin. It has been so mild this winter we are already seeing some litters," Petrosky said.
She was told that because of the warmer weather the cats have been reproducing earlier this year, she said.
The city has addressed feral cat populations in recent years.
This year, the city has approved an agreement with Animal Pawtectors, a nonprofit volunteer organization, which traps the feral cats and then takes them to Steel Valley Spay Neuter Clinic in Girard.
Petrosky said since the cats are caught in the city limits the city will pay up to $7,500 for spay and neuter services in 2024.
Officials said that since its opening in 2007, Steel Valley Spay Neuter Clinic has completed more than 30,000 surgeries.
Costs are $85 for a basic spay, $70 for basic neuter and $23 for flea medications.
In previous years the city worked with Trap, Neuter, Release, which surgically treated cats once caught, then release them.
AIRBASE COMMANDER
In other matters, Col. Michael Maloney, the wing commander of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station, attended the meeting with Capt. Donald Hatheway, director of public affairs.
Maloney, who has 30 years in the Air Force, said the YARS has received support from the local communities.
He said 30% of the airmen at the base are full time and live in local communities.
Maloney said a new firehouse is in the planning stages at the air base with state-of-the art equipment.
City fire Chief Davis Rea said the air base fire department assists nearby communities for mutual aid calls.
"Whenever we call for mutual aid they roll out. They are a great asset to have in this area," Rea said.
Maloney said they provide fire protection as well as crash and fire rescue at the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport, also in Vienna.
He said the airbase also will be getting two new C130 planes in July which will have more cargo space and more technology. Several airmen are training to fly the new planes.
Council has passed motions supporting YARS' efforts.
Also, special projects coordinator Jeffrey Jiang reported plans are being worked on for the Cortland Celestial Celebration for the April solar eclipse. He said vendors will be set up along West Main Street, which will be closed to traffic. On hand will be a deejay and display tables from different organizations.
Plans are to distribute event shirts along with 3,000 special glasses to see the eclipse.
Have an interesting story? Contact Bob Coupland by email at bcoupland@tribtoday.com.