Sarah Skoczen, a coordinator of the Carroll Valley Borough's TNR efforts, said the task of addressing and controlling the local feral cat population in the borough has all but ground to a halt. The group performs its duties under the auspices of the Adams County Community Cats organization.

Skoczen is a former member of the Carroll Valley Borough Council. The TNR effort in the borough is not an official entity of borough government. The group basically consists of Skoczen and "about 20 volunteers," who have been engaged in trapping, neutering and spaying, then releasing the feral cats, for the past five years.

Skoczen stated that the main issue forestalling their efforts is that the services who perform the spaying and neutering have ceased doing so, due to the COVID-19 infestation.

Normally, she said, her groups rely on the Adams County SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and Nobody's Cats in Camp Hill. Nobody's Cats, she stated, has closed its doors because of the virus, while the county SPCA has simply been compelled to cut back on services performed.

In addition, she said, now is ordinarily the time to conduct TNR before the spring mating season gets underway, but, due to the COVID-19 issue, there is no place to take the cats for the necessary operations. The idea is to initiate the captures before there are any nursing females with kittens.

As far as what the ex officio program needs to keep going, Skoczen said mainly cat food, which can be donated via the SPCA. Because the SPCA is closed to visitors due to the virus, cat food can be boxed, and left at the front door with a note that it is intended for Adams County Community Cats. Earmarked monetary donations can also be done by check or money order, and made out to the SPCA, with a note in the memo line, or an additional enclosure, stating that it is for Adams County Community Cats.

When it comes to rescues or "surrendered" animals, the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter (CVAS) operates a no-kill facility, which will even foster-out (in temporary homes) any overload they may be confronted with, rather than resorting to euthanization. The CVAS houses around 150 animals, primarily cats and dogs, and finds homes for 800 to 900 of them annually.

Jennifer Vanderau, CVAS communications director, said the shelter serves the northern portion of Franklin County, Chambersburg, and the southern portion of Shippensburg.

Vanderau said COVID-19 has definitely impacted the manner in which they conduct their efforts. "We are just limiting the number of people" permitted to access the facility, and that adoptions are conducted "by appointment," plus following virus guidelines."

She further stated, "We weren't able to stop taking animals in. Stopping is not an option. We're just taking incredible precautions." While the operation normally takes precautionary measures when bringing-in animals, the one change she has seen is now that the precautions taken have had to take into consideration "the people part of it," adding, "We've been focused on (preventing the spread of) disease, but that's been regarding the animals. The human (element) is new."

For those interested in helping during the COVID-19 epidemic, the shelter can use pet food, with cat and dog food at the top of the list, and sanitizers and bleach. Regarding food, the shelter prefers Purina

Nutro, Science Diet, Blue Buffalo, Iams, Wellness, Pedigree (as long as there are no dyes - all kibble should be brown), Eukanuba, Royal Canin, Innova, Halo, and The Good Life Recipe.

Other necessities sought include dog and cat toys, feline pine cat litter, treats, catnip, kitten and puppy food, instant rice, lamb or veal baby food, leashes, harnesses, collars, and dog pill pockets.

No one is allowed access inside the building unless by appointment. Those wishing to donate products are asked to come to the front door during business hours and ring the bell for help. Business hours include Mondays through Fridays (closed on Thursdays) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

Monetary donations can be made at the door in like manner, or mailed to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, 5051 Letterkenny Road, Chambersburg, 17201. For additional information, call 717-263-5791, or visit www.cvas-pets.org.