To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Kelly Greenough, and my world has been turned upside down. My sweet furry girl, Winnie, has been held from me for over 88 days by a former neighbor who has refused to return her.

I asked my neighbor to watch Winnie while I was away from the end of June to the beginning of August. I made it clear that I was not rehoming her and she agreed that she understood .  When I returned, she refused to give Winnie back to me. I was forced to file a legal action called a "replevin" on August 15th to get her back.

A hearing was set for September 25th, an extra 50 agonizing days away from my baby. The judge initially agreed that Winnie should return to me.

However, that was short-lived. The judge agreed to the defendant's request for a rehearing and denied my request to have Winnie returned to me in the meantime, even though the defendant admitted that Winnie belonged to me.

I now have to wait almost another 50 days. That's nearly 100 days away from my baby because the person who is illegally keeping her has all the rights. The person who has stolen Winnie from me is getting the privilege of having her until the case is heard.

This is happening because, in the eyes of the law, pets are considered personal property—no different than a lawnmower someone borrowed and refused to give back.

The current judicial procedures force the court to remove the fact that Winnie is my family. She is my emotional support, my companion, the glue that has kept my pieces together.

Every day without Winnie is agonizing. My health and well-being have been severely impacted, both mentally and physically. I cry myself to sleep every night, my heart is broken, and this injustice is unbearable.

We need to change these outdated laws so that something like this doesn't happen to anyone else. Several states have already updated their laws to better fit the reality of our relationships with our pets.

I am starting this petition to demand that Florida  and all states across the US update pet ownership laws to recognize pets as sentient beings and valued family members, not just property.

Sign this petition to support my fight for Winnie and to prevent other families from suffering this profound injustice.

Thank you,

Kelly Greenough 

Facebook Group “I know my name is Winnie” 

#freewinnieg