Marty and his sister were Christmas gifts that I've lovingly raised since they were just 8 weeks old. Over the past four years, this cat has not only been a cherished family member but my emotional support animal. Our bond is not just a simple companionship; it's crucial to my well-being. Research has repeatedly shown that cats, like humans, experience extreme stress and distress when separated from their owners, making it imperative for Marty to be returned to his home and original owner. 

Marty was taken from my apartment in Chicago without my knowledge or consent in January. Withholding Marty and ignoring my rightful claims not only violates my constitutional rights but also equates to abuse against both of us. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), cats form deep attachments to their owners, and abrupt separation can lead to severe behavioral and health issues. Pretending the violence did not or is not happening and ignoring victims is at the core of inequality and injustice.

I have been working with authorities to find my cat and reunite him with his rightful owner, but something just isn't right. Authorities have failed to take action repeatedly and made countless excuses for doing so. 

Every day that passes is another day we are in distress and I plead for an urgent resolution to bring him back home. Please join me in demanding justice and ensuring the return of my beloved companion.

Together, we can stand against this injustice and ensure that no pet and owner are wrongly separated. Sign this petition to help Marty find his way home.

**I want to clarify that my only intention is the safe return of my cat. Please understand that I do not mean to intimidate or harass anyone involved, especially if you are not intentionally trying to withhold him from me. However, as his owner, it is difficult to understand why his location wouldn't be shared so we can resolve this. If you are not trying to cause further distress, I am simply asking for transparency regarding where he is being kept so I can bring him home.**

SPECIFICS

After being removed from my apartment in Chicago, IL covertly and without authorization, the rights to his ownership were signed over by a thief to Veterinary Emergency Group on January 11th at 4:11 AM. Because he was reported as being found in Naperville (a lie), Naperville Animal Control was called and picked him up on January 12th (Intake ID 2026-2014).  At this point, he had already been reported as missing by his owner and NAC (under Naperville Police Department) knew or should have reasonably known he was stolen. He was wearing a pink collar with my phone number and rabies tags, but Animal Control failed to contact me or any emergency contact listed. Despite being aware I was actively looking for my stolen pet, he was subsequently transferred to Naperville Area Humane Society and adopted out by January 27th. On March 3rd, we managed to track him down and were promised by NAC and NAHS they would do everything they could to help reunite the animal. On March 13th, a complaint for Replevin was filed (DuPage County 2026LM13) to obtain Marty's adoption records from NAHS who refused to tell me where he was or "force his rescue", contrary to what they promised. 

FACTS

His removal and surrender to VEG is documented as theft. 720 ILCS 5/16-2

VEG was not authorized by law to accept surrendered pets, much less to accept surrendered pets from someone stating they were not the owner. Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act (225 ILCS 115/18)

He was wrongfully processed using a 7-day stray hold; he was not stray, abandoned, or homeless. Under 720 ILCS 5/16-2, an animal cannot be classified as 'stray' or 'abandoned' when the finder has taken active measures to strip its identity and bypass the owner.

Had the 7-day stray hold applied, Naperville Animal Control still failed to make a reasonable attempt to contact his owner.  510 ILCS 5/10