A 98-year-old woman in Northampton Borough has become a hot-button topic for residents and borough council. Reportedly, the woman continues to feed approximately 50 stray cats in the area of Northampton Avenue, and some of her neighbors disagree with her care for the animals.

The issue was brought before Northampton Borough Council Oct. 1.

Neighbors reported these cats have caused issues to their homes and way of life, and the residents requested help to remedy the situation.

One of the residents at the council meeting reportedly said he would shoot the cats, but others quickly said that is not the solution.

A resident living across the street from her said he had to replace expensive carpeting at his residence because of the odor permeating the entire block. He mentioned observing cats in the summer continually scratching themselves, injuring their bodies. He also noted seeing cats freezing and dying in the area during the winter months.

It was said it has become more than a nuisance, but rather a health issue, for the neighborhood.

A resident of the borough, who asked to remain anonymous, said she and her family are actively involved in working toward a peaceful and humane solution to this problem.

She noted Veronica Kunkel, from Rock Star Animal Rescue, came before borough council and presented the TNR Community Cat Program. Reportedly, council voted to allow Kunkel, who is volunteering her time and efforts, to begin the program. The borough has a contract with No Nonsense Neutering.

The Trap, Neuter, Release program is a humane program for bringing stray or feral cats to a local clinic for spaying or neutering. The left ear is tipped during surgery - the universal symbol of an altered feline. After recovery, the cats are taken back to where they were trapped for release. TNR offers these cats a healthier life in the wild, it has been reported.

According to this resident, who is assisting with the program, each cat will be caught, spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies and treated for fleas. This is the most humane and cost-effective method - saving taxpayers money - for dealing with overpopulation and free-roaming cats, she said.

She also reported they are hoping to build an outdoor litter area for the cats to use after eating. She is hoping this will help address some of the neighbors’ complaints about cat feces around the neighborhood.

The resident noted she has done countless hours of research into overpopulation and community (free-roaming) cats. Reportedly, at one time, there were feral cat zones in Northampton where caretakers were responsible for feeding the colony of cats in their neighborhood. The elderly woman was one of those feeders and has been caring for the cats for approximately 40 years.

The resident helping with the TNR program noted she has shared cat deterrents with other members of the community to help keep the cats off their property. She is concerned none of the neighbors are trying the deterrents and instead are looking to have the cats euthanized.

The borough has an animal control officer and, up until now, the woman has resisted all efforts to remove the cats, it was reported.

However, Sal Zangari, the borough assistant code enforcement officer, reported the woman has agreed to let them trap the cats on her property for the TNR program.

There are traps set up to round up the cats; however, this solution takes time over a period of weeks to catch the cats in traps and take them to a veterinarian.

The resident helping with the TNR program urges her neighbors to remember these cats do not belong to the elderly woman. She is only trying to help the strays.

Reportedly, the grassy, wooded area on Hokendauqua Street has been a dumping area for unwanted cats and kittens for years, adding to the community cat population.

“I feel saddened to think ‘love your neighbor’ is long gone in this ‘Community of Unity,’” said the resident.

The aggressive nature with which some of the other residents have reacted to this problem has her concerned.

She is hoping more residents and neighbors will help get involved with constructive solutions to the problem. They have already caught, treated and released several cats. However, the program relies on volunteers to assist.

An article titled “Feral Cats and the Public: A Healthy Relationship” by Alley Cat Allies, alleycat.org, addresses the public health aspect of community cat programs for any residents looking for more information.