Charleroi dealing with feral cats again

By Mon Valley Independent

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Feral cats have once again become a project in the Magic City.

Dr. Faith Bjalobok, founder of the Fluffyjean Fund for Felines, a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program, has been working in the borough to help curb the cat population for more than a decade.

The Fluffyjean Fund is a low-cost spay-and-neuter program run by volunteers for felines roaming in Washington County.

The trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program helps communities or organizations ensure the felines are healthy and reduces the stray and homeless cat population.

Bjalobok has partnered with two local organizations, Animal Friends and White Oak Animal Safe Haven, to help area cats and their communities.

In the past several years, Bjalobok has focused on the Mon Valley.

“This problem has been an issue in Charleroi for 10 years,” she said.

Almost a decade ago, Bjalobok held several clinics in the borough to help curb the problem, but few residents showed up.

As the years went on, cats who were not spayed or neutered had kittens, and the problem became generational.

The Charleroi Colony Cat Project launched again last year to help cover the costs associated with the volunteer work.

A fundraiser brought in about $1,300, but the problem wasn’t fully taken care of. Additional private donations helped get it under control, but it arose again this summer.

Bjalobok said there were at least 50 cats in need of help this year from at least two different colonies.

In August, she trapped 10 kittens who will soon be put up for adoption through White Oak Animal Safe Haven.

At least 20 other adult cats have since been trapped and at least 26 more will be spayed and neutered Sept. 8 in New Eagle before being returned to feeders.

It costs about $55 to have each cat fixed and about $75 per kitten when they are old enough.

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