With the clock soon set to strike midnight on a blighted property in Lehighton, an animal group has taken the lead on rescuing cats.

The demolition of 135-139 N. First St. is expected to happen shortly, with the borough and Carbon County waiting for bond paperwork to be completed by the company contracted to do the work.

Deemed “dangerous” by officials, the borough has previously aimed for a Feb. 12 start date for mobilization for the property. Demolition has been delayed from last week.

Lehighton borough Manager Dane DeWire said Monday, “The county said the paperwork will be finished this week.” Demolition should begin shortly after that.

One problem the borough has faced is several dozen cats seeking shelter in the building.

An animal group has taken the lead on rescuing the cats and getting them treated and taken to host properties.

Alyson Andrews, a volunteer with Starting Over Animal Rescue, put out a plea on Facebook asking for help and posted a list of ways for those interested to assist.

“As most of you are probably aware, there is a cat crisis on First Street in Lehighton,” Andrews said. “This is not a new problem, these colonies have existed for a long time.

“We are now in crisis mode because the abandoned building where these cats are living is being bulldozed very soon. Several vets, rescues, private trappers have come together to help but we are running out of time.”

Andrews, of Mahoning Township, said they need dog-sized cages and cat carriers; cat food (dry and canned); flea treatment (frontline); pee pads, newspapers, new litter boxes; temporary foster homes (must have feral cat experience); and monetary donations to help with medical costs (spay/neuter, vaccines, deworming, etc.

Paulette Haupt, a concerned citizen from Jim Thorpe, also took to Facebook in response to Andrews post.

“If you are not aware by now, Lehighton Borough is planning on tearing down a dilapidated building that has been sitting for about 20 years in that condition,” Haupt said. “What you may not know is there are too many to count cats and kittens living in that building who will die when it is torn down by the end of March.

“I have to point out that it is not the cats or kittens fault that they are there, it is the fault of an uncaring pet owner that dumped un-spayed and un-neutered cats. It only takes one male and one female to turn into 60 cats and kittens within a short amount of time.”

Starting Over Animal Rescue Inc is trying its best to save as many as possible.

“Even if you are not a cat lover and the situation was different and there were dogs there, they would do whatever they could to save them too, but they cannot do it alone,” Haupt said. “These cats didn’t just show up on their own, they had homes and found themselves stuck in the position they are in now; please if you can help her and the rescue in any way, it would be greatly appreciated, especially by the cats.”

Contacted Tuesday morning, Andrews said four volunteers are trapping the cats off and on.

“We’re there based on when we get appointments to have them vetted,” she said. “We have to go off how much space (there is available) to house these cats.”

Andrews explained why she’s volunteering.

“I got involved because I trap and do cat rescue, and I trapped in Lehighton at the Hi-Rise last year,” she said. “I trap all over.”

Andrews said the cats are being vetted, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated, and are temporarily being held at various foster homes.

“If they can be rehabbed, they’ll be placed in homes, and if not, they will be released somewhere in a safe environment,” she said.

Andrews said between 20-40 cats are still to be trapped, spayed and neutered.

“The goal here is to stop the reproduction,” Andrews said.

“You can’t get into the building to see what’s there, so it’s hard,” she said. “We need people with feral cat experience.”

Andrews said that Blue Mountain Animal Rescue Society and its founder Donna Crum, have 11 cats that have been vetted for which they are housing.

In addition, she added that Carbon County Friends of Animals “has donated significantly to fund this mission,” and noted that the Palmerton Cat Project has offered its help as well.

Andrews said pet food and litter donations, and/or monetary donations via check (written out to Lehighton Cat Project) may be dropped off or mailed to Carbon County Friends of Animals, or they may contact the Starting Over Animal Rescue Facebook page, or email soarvolunteer@outlook.com. She said donations may also be dropped off at Meraki Hair Studio, 450 Interchange Road, Lehighton.

Carbon County officials said last week that a delay in the demolition of the blighted building is not due to paperwork in the county offices, rather the company hired to do the work getting their bond in order.

Lehighton is using Community Development Block Grant funds, which is why the county is involved. Carbon County awarded the demolition contract to Northeast Industrial Services of Shamokin, who bid $186,435 for demolishing and clearing the property.

The demolition of 135-139 N. First St. has been a topic of discussion for several years and has been continuing to deteriorate, creating a potential dangerous situation in the event of a building collapse or fire.