Lyons, PA Mayoral Candidate Alex Darlington Speaks on Why Stray Cats Deserve a Place in Local Policy
Published On: 9/16/2025
Last Updated On: 9/16/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
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A sick stray kitten named Harvey sitting on the grass with watery eyes before being rescued by Alex Darlington and his girlfriend in Lyons, Pennsylvania.
😿 Harvey’s Story: From Sick Kitten to Happy Ending
Every town has its stories. In Lyons, PA — a small community just seven minutes from Kutztown — one of those stories belongs to a tiny kitten named Harvey. He was weak, sick with an upper respiratory infection and an eye infection, and left without a home.
But then something incredible happened. A kind neighbor sent Harvey’s photo to Alex Darlington, a young candidate running for mayor of Lyons. Alex and his girlfriend stepped up, got Harvey medicine from a local vet, and cared for him until he healed. Even better? Harvey has already found his forever family. 🐾💜
🐕🐈 Why Harvey’s Story Matters
A rescued kitten named Harvey cuddling on a chest, showing the comfort of recovery and new beginnings.
Sadly, Harvey’s rescue is the exception, not the rule. Lyons, a town of just 439 residents, struggles with a stray cat population that nearly rivals its human one. Many cats face:
❌ Disease and untreated injuries
❌ Harsh winters and no shelter
❌ Inbreeding and overpopulation
❌ Human frustration with lawns and alleyways turned into litter boxes
As Yebba says: “It’s hard out there for a stray. And it doesn’t have to be this way.”
🗳️ Alex Darlington’s Vision for Lyons, PA
Lyons, PA mayoral candidate Alex Darlington smiling while holding a rescued kitten in his hands outside a brick building.
We cats had the chance to “interview” Alex (don’t worry, he passed our sniff test). His plan? Launch a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in partnership with local animal welfare groups.
To give you the full scoop on this Lyons, PA mayoral candidate, we wanted to share Alex Darlington’s own words from the statement he shared with us about Harvey and the stray cat crisis in Lyons, PA:
“In the town of Lyons, just seven minutes from Kutztown, there is a quiet but pressing issue: stray cats. With only 439 residents, it sometimes feels like the number of cats roaming our streets could rival the human population.
Among them was a small kitten named Harvey. My neighbor sent me his photo one afternoon and asked if my girlfriend and I could help. Harvey was only a few months old, suffering from an upper respiratory infection and an eye infection. With medicine from a local veterinarian and some patient care, he slowly recovered. Even better, almost immediately we found him a permanent, loving home. By the time you read this, Harvey will already be starting a new life with his family.
Unfortunately, Harvey’s story is the exception and not the rule. Many cats in Lyons never get the chance he did. Left to fend for themselves, they struggle with disease, harsh weather, and inbreeding. For homeowners, the issue also creates problems. Cats use lawns and alleyways as litter boxes, and the overall quality of life is affected.
But Harvey’s story shows us what is possible. If we can step in to help one kitten, imagine what we could do for an entire community of cats and for our town as a whole. That is why I am running for Mayor.
One of my priorities is to partner with local animal welfare organizations to launch a humane trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. This proven approach prevents new litters from being born into hardship, reduces the stray population over time, and improves both public health and neighborhood well-being.
Together, we can make Harvey’s happy ending less of a rare exception and more of a common story in Lyons. With compassion and collaboration, we can build a community where residents and animals alike can thrive.”
Here’s what TNR means for Lyons, PA:
✂️ Prevents new cat litters from being born into hardship
❤️ Improves cat health and reduces disease
🐾 Slowly decreases the stray cat population over time
🌎 Creates a cleaner, healthier environment for both people and pets
As Callie puts it: “This isn’t politics. This is compassion in action.”
🐾 What Harvey Teaches Us
Harvey’s story proves that small acts of kindness can spark big change. If one rescued kitten can inspire a mayoral campaign, imagine what an entire community can do when it rallies around humane solutions with people who actually care!! (Thanks Alex 🐾)
This isn’t just about cats. It’s about creating a town where everyone — furry or not — can thrive.
Alex Darlington, candidate for Mayor of Lyons, PA, standing outdoors holding a purple campaign sign that reads “Darlington for Mayor, Borough of Lyons.
As the November election approaches in Lyons, PA, Alex Darlington’s vision offers a compassionate and practical plan for addressing the stray cat crisis while uplifting the entire community. If you believe in creating a town where both residents and animals can thrive, make sure your voice is heard at the ballot box this November and consider supporting Alex Darlington for Mayor.
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🐾 Coming tomorrow on Stray Cat News
Next up: Cat Declawing Could Be Outlawed in Pennsylvania 😿🚫
We’ll break down the new legislation, why declawing is more than a “manicure,” and what it could mean for cats across the state. Stay tuned — this is one you won’t want to miss.
