Animal rescue groups banded together to save as many feral cats as they could when a blighted building in Lehighton where they sought shelter was slated for demolition early this year.

The building at 135-139 N. First St. was demolished in the spring through Community Development Block Grant funds administered by Carbon County.

When the date was announced in February, volunteers from several groups began trapping the cats in the area. Cats were checked by veterinarians and taken to safe places or adopted out.

The efforts were hindered by residents feeding the cats. Community members donated food, supplies and money for vet bills.

Demolition of the property at 135-139 N. First St. got underway April 4 after the project had been delayed while the contractor obtained a bond.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire said in May the borough was using $267,262 in 2020, 2021 and 2022 CDBG funds, and that the county previously awarded the demolition contract to Northeast Industrial Services of Shamokin, which bid $186,435 for demolishing and clearing the property.

DeWire said at that time a $63,580 change order was accepted by the county, and that the borough still had $32,000 in the green.