Animal Lifesavers Pet Adoption Inc. will feed the cats in order to trap them, spay or neuter them, and release them back
to the same location under the procedure.
The cats' ears will be clipped or tagged so they can be tracked.
Volunteers said the program has been successful in Phillipsburg, Cape May and Atlantic City.
Under the time-extension order, the group will assume all costs and no new cats can be introduced or "dumped" at the site.
The cats were ordered to be removed by Nov. 12, but Animal Lifesavers requested time to initiate the program.
Prior to Judge E. Ronald Wright's ruling Wednesday, the Township Council agreed to the extension at its meeting on Monday.
Councilman Adam Weiss said he agreed with providing the group more time to implement the program.
"I think that anything short of euthanizing the cats would be acceptable," he said. "They are providing a valuable service
not only for the neighborhood but for the well-being of the animals."
Council Vice President Carlo Socio said he does not know if the extension will make a difference but felt it is the most
humane approach at this time. "We really need to give it a shot," he said.
Animal Lifesavers volunteer Linda Espenchied said the group is grateful for the extension.
"We are confident that it will be effective," said Espenchied, a South Brunswick resident. "It will be a very good thing."
She added, "We will be able to control the homeless pet population in a humane way."
Espenchied, her mother, Susan, Diane Methner of East Brunswick and Eileen McDonnell of Metuchen have been providing shelter,
food, medical attention and neutering for the cats during the past two years.
During that time, 165 cats have been removed and prepared for adoption.
Volunteers said that most of the cats have no signs of rabies or other feline diseases, such as AIDS or leukemia. The most
common illness is upper-respiratory infections, they said.
The group has placed between 15 to 20 small houses, one in an igloo shape, for the cats. Bowls of water, dry and wet cat
food are situated near the cat houses, and there is a feeding station deeper in the woods.
Espenchied said the group has received financial support from Spay USA and assistance from Edgebrook Animal Hospital in
East Brunswick in the form of reduced animal costs and adoption services.
She said New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance also has provided help to Animal Lifesavers.
Craig Yetsko: (732) 565-7352; yetsko@thnt.com
Copyright 2004 Home News Tribune.
