Traps set as feral cat problem plagues Harrisburg neighborhood

HARRISBURG, N.C. — A Harrisburg neighborhood is crawling with feral cats, from drains to driveways.

"Overrun with cats, uncontrolled cats, urinating, defecating in all of our gardens, in all of our lawns," resident Bruce Nalewajk said.

Neighbors such as Nalewajk said it's not just a nuisance, it's intolerable.

"The smell in the spring of ammonia out here is overwhelming from all the cats urinating in the lawns. It will bring tears to your eyes," Nalewajk said.

The problem is so bad that neighbors started setting up traps in their yards to catch the cats. Residents are luring the cats by placing food inside the cages.

"We've trapped probably 60 cats," Nalewajk said. "If you take it to the animal shelter, it is 10 miles from here. Afterward you need to shampoo the interior of the car because the cats are so nervous in the traps, things happen."

The trips to the shelter and the time on the road is adding up but no matter how many cats they get rid of, more keep coming from the house right across the street.

"They seem to be breeding them and as the cats get old enough to be a nuisance in the house they throw them out," Nalewajk said.

The owner of that home didn't want to talk to Channel 9 but even on his doorstep, a cat wrapped itself around reporter Mark Barber's legs.

"You're my last resort. I don't know what else to do," Nalewajk told Channel 9.

Neighbors said they have been trying to take care of the cat problem since 2008. On Monday, they gave Channel 9 a copy of a letter their attorneys sent to Animal Control officials in 2013.

When Channel 9 asked animal control if they're going to take any action, they said they'd look into it, starting by figuring out if they have received any cat complaints in the area.

Neighbors who are desperate to reclaim their property aren't just standing by. They said they'll keep watching their traps and calling on the city for help until someone steps in and clears the cats out of the community.

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• Traps set as feral cat problem plagues Harrisburg neighborhood

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