CHARLEROI - Charleroi is taking a get-tough approach to freeloading felines and those who feed them.
In an effort to gain control of the growing stray cat population in the borough, council members voted last month to require cat owners to purchase a license for them, much like a dog license.
Council member Mary Ann Uhal said at Thursday night's meeting that borough officials have been receiving "many" complaints about stray cats in neighborhoods. She also warned those taking in stray felines or those who feed them are responsible for getting the required license.
"If you feed a (stray) cat, you're then responsible for it," said Uhal, who is council's vice president.
The license fees are $5 for a spayed or neutered cat and $7 for all others. Uhal said the Washington County Humane Society in Eighty-Four is offering discounts for those wanting to get their cats spayed or neutered.
The borough's animal control officer, Glenn Shipley, will place a legal notice detailing when he will have office hours at the borough building for cat owners to purchase licenses. Cat owners will fill out an application and then receive the license. Uhal said they copied the application from the one used for cat licenses in Hummelstown.
Uhal said the cat licenses will enable Shipley to differentiate between pets and strays.
"I think most people won't mind having to get the licenses," she said. "Especially if they love their cat."
