Lee County Domestic Animal Services recently rescued 125 cats from a hoarding situation—a moment that could have been the beginning of healing for these animals. But within days, 107 of them were euthanized. The shelter says the cats were too sick, injured, or unsocialized to save. But to many in our community, that explanation isn't enough.

We’re heartbroken. And we’re angry. These cats suffered in silence for years, only to be given no second chance once help finally arrived.

We, the undersigned, are calling on Lee County officials to immediately halt mass euthanasia decisions without independent review. Shelters should not be allowed to kill large numbers of animals behind closed doors. There must be accountability, transparency, and compassion built into every step of this process.

We are not ignoring the challenges. Shelters are underfunded and overcrowded. Hoarding cases are traumatic and complex. But ending the lives of 107 animals—without first involving outside rescue groups, foster networks, or an emergency response team—is unacceptable. Communities expect their shelters to be places of refuge, not quiet execution.

We demand a public moratorium on large-scale euthanasia and the creation of an independent oversight panel that reviews every decision to euthanize more than 10 animals at once. We also urge the shelter to make full records of the euthanized cats publicly available, so residents can understand what led to each outcome.

This is about knowing that when animals are rescued, they are actually being given a chance—not just taken from one tragic situation to meet a tragic end. The public deserves better. And those 107 cats deserved better, too.

Please sign and share this petition if you believe in transparency, accountability, and a shelter system that truly protects the most vulnerable.