By Tracy Jillard
On 6/6. I was taken to the hospital (where I stayed for a week). My babies are in the hands of animal control.
My 4 cats are my absolute reason for living. The major shelters told me to just give them up, but they are my family and my support system.
I finally got an answer from Polk County Animal Control.
Despite being told they would be held for at least 10 days and being called by the hospital, my babies have crossed the rainbow bridge at the hands of Polk County Animal Control.
They were euthanized almost immediately after being brought into their facility. They apologized profusely for the mistake.
They notified Heartland Cat Rescue (the original owner of the chip) but not me, and told them my cats were extremely wild and feral.
My babies were the sweetest and gentlest babies; they loved cuddling and belly rubs. Petey and Little One loved to play fetch and hide and seek in my blanket.
Does that sound feral to you?
This is unacceptable and has happened too many times.
Inexcusable.
Please attend the Polk County commissioner’s meeting July 21st.
Shady Grady and his posse are aloud to do whatever they want. Sorry for your babies being taken from you like this
I’m so angry! I know how much I love my cats and how devastated, I would be if it had happened to one of my. Can’t imagine if they were all killed.
Four cats lost their lives because of a mistake. An apology does not bring them back. If these cats were owned, chipped, and loved, how did this happen? People trust animal control to protect animals, not destroy them and apologize afterward. This family deserves answers, accountability, and changes to ensure this never happens again.
Something is very wrong here.
This is exactly why so many of us are terrified when euthanasia is treated as a quick solution. Mistakes happen. Labels are wrong. Assessments are wrong. And when an animal is euthanized, there are no second chances. Four cats paid the price for an error that can never be corrected.
Disgusted by animal controls not following protocols, not having compassion, and only seeing the animals as a number. Decompression time in a shelter is absolutely necessary. My own cat would flip her lid if she ended up in a shelter. I have no doubt she would act feral until given a chance to calm. It’s clear the sheriff in that county hates cats and I hope there are consequences for that shelter and those who make decisions there. Those cats had a person that loved them and animal control knew that, yet chose to do it anyway. Again, disgusted.