While it wasn’t a cat fight, it was a fight nonetheless for Heidi’s Furry Friends Animal Rescue at the Loyalsock Township Board of Supervisors meeting recently.

The room was filled to capacity with all chairs and persons standing around the room holding signs in support of Heidi McCarty, a Lycoming County resident synonymous with cat and animal rescues.

Due to such a large turnout, some residents were turned away to comply with fire hazard codes, Township Secretary Sarah Hughes confirmed. This left 92 individuals gathered. The purpose of the meeting was to serve as a hearing.

The town solicitor J. Michael Wiley confirmed a court reporter/stenographer was on hand to act as a transcriptionist and he had the power to swear in eyewitnesses who gave testimony.

The board of supervisors were to listen to evidence, deliberate and then rule as to whether McCarty could operate her nonprofit animal care, Heidi’s Furry Friends Animal Rescue, out of her home at 1413 Elwood Road in Loyalsock Township.

According to McCarty, the issue began this summer when an unknown neighbor complained to the borough that “my rescue cats were in their yards, killing their birds and that we were causing too much foot traffic.”

In turn this prompted “the zoning officer to send a letter telling us to cease our operations because we didn’t have proper permits.” Since Elwood Road is in an “R1 District” — or residential district — McCarty now must seek a conditional use permit.

During the meeting she said, “We are a foster based rescue (and) when we post online of animals that we take in, there’s a common misconception that they all come to our home, my direct address that I post for the rescue. But it’s not always true.”

At most, her home would be able to house 20 cats, unless there was an immediate emergency and that would be temporary. However, she said thanks to her network Heidi’s Furry Friends is able to care for up to 60 cats and kittens.

“We took in 40 (animals), but that 40 is not at my location,” McCarty said. “None of our (foster) animals are housed outdoors. So unless you’ve been in my house, you would drive by and not realize that there is even a rescue there.”

She explained there are no signs or anything to advertise her non-profit.

“We don’t have an open door policy and we even have a little thing by the door that says it’s appointments only,” she said.

She addressed the foot traffic and said, “I do have teenage children and they have friends and we do live here and some of the foot traffic is our own coming and going.”

McCarty said animals are brought in and out of the house, but that is due to fostering errands, and taking cats to and from the vet.

“We use Rosebird Veterinary and Jersey Shore for all of our vet care unless they’re not open and we would go to another vet,” McCarty said. “Everything is done by their direct supervision. We follow their protocols and we follow them very closely.”

She explained in a statement that the purpose of her mission is to “be a voice for the voiceless by rescuing, rehabilitating…only animals in need while also helping families who are struggling to keep the pets they love.”

McCarty said that since “January of this year alone” the “Furry Friends” organization volunteers have been able to trap, fix and release “more than 100 cats with about forty of those right here in Loyalsock Township.”

Since the Beckoning Cat Project, which used to help control Lycoming County’s growing feral cat issues, had to close, Heidi’s Furry Friends has had to fill in the gaps where it could.

“This not only helps control the stray and feral population, but also creates healthier, safer neighborhoods for everyone…we don’t just serve animals, we serve people too,” she said.

Another way they helped was “many families come to us desperate, facing the impossible choice of surrendering or euthanizing a beloved cat because of veterinary bills” and not having the bills to pay for it.

“Whenever possible, we step in to help cover those expenses so that pets can remain with the families who love them,” McCarty said.

This was a characteristic she said came from her father.

“I started this rescue out of my passion for animals and to follow my father’s footsteps. He passed away in 2018,” she said. “He taught me to care for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

She shares this passion with her children.

“Today, my children and I carry on that legacy, balancing full-time jobs, full-time school, and still dedicating every spare moment to saving lives,” McCarty said.

She concluded her testimony with “the need for this rescue is great.”

“Each year, we make a difference in the lives of hundreds of cats and kittens and by extension, the people who care about them. Without this work, those animals have nowhere to go, no chance to save you, no chance at life,” she said.

She added, “We are dedicated, responsible, and committed to doing things the right way. This is not just a passion, it is a service to our community. I hope you will see the good that we do and allow us to continue to make a difference here in Loyalsock Township and beyond.”

When it came time for the “objector’s presentation,” as was said in the agenda, no one was on hand to offer a contradictory opinion. In fact, the opposite occurred. McCarty’s landlord and owner of the home, Edward Ade, explained how the home fit the guidelines to house the rescue, which would only house 20 cats at the most, unless there was an emergency.

Several of her supporters said McCarty’s house was clean and kept neat, and neither foot nor car traffic should be an issue around her home.

After all testimonies concluded, the board said it would have a decision at its next meeting, slated for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Loyalsock Township Municipal Building, 2501 E. Third St.