Cumberland County Edition
August 2014
Vol. 15 No. 8
For the Love of Felines Councilwoman Heads Successful Feral-Cat Program By Rebecca Hanlon Maria Romano Marcinko is severely allergic to cats. The itchy skin and shortened breaths would send most people running from these critters. But Marcinko can’t stay away. The 58-year-old energetic woman founded a community stray cat program in 2010 shortly after being appointed to a seat on the borough council. The first item on the agenda that was handed to her in September 2009 was for a municipal contract with the local Humane Society. Thousands of taxpayer dollars were being spent each year for the care of stray animals. More than 85 percent of those were feral cats. “I’ve always been an animal lover,” Marcinko said. “They hoped that because I had experience in dog rescue services that maybe I could help with the overwhelming cat population.” The challenge was “staying outside of the box,” Marcinko said. She tried to understand the concerns of residents who became attached to the cats, while at the same time relating to the frustrations of neighbors who wanted strays to stay off their lawns. Feisty feral cats can damage plants, outdoor furniture, and flowerbeds, she said. But there was a solution. please see FELINES page 11 Maria Romano Marcinko stands with a couple of feral cats that will be spayed/neutered and then released where they were found.
Inside:
Backyard Farming page 4
Salute to a Veteran page 12