My heart was shattered when my neighbor trapped my outdoor cat, George, and turned him into animal services, labeling him as an aggressive cat and saying he didn’t want the cat back in the neighborhood.  George was born in my neighborhood and raised here.  While I did not have George chipped, George lived in my yard, used my attic for shelter, I fed him twice daily, and gave him flea medication. He was a part of our family. I have pictures going back to 2024 maybe even further back on older devices. He was a healthy living being that didn’t deserve to be put down.  My neighbor knew George lived at my house and didn’t tell me what happened until after George was put down. Based solely on a statement from my neighbor, animal services euthanized George who was not sick or anything, without posting any information online about the cat's surrender and labeling him unadoptable.  I never had a chance to know George was there or rescue him  in time due to my neighbors lies.  Why would animal services do such a thing based on one man’s word.  According to animal services if a cat ends up in someone’s yard they are allowed to trap it and claim it theirs and do what they want with it unless it’s chipped. The problem is that the neighbor is using cat nip to lure the cats into his yard that he knows belong to his neighbors and tells animal services that no one is caring for the animals which he knows is a lie.  There should be penalties for people who give false information to animal services just like to police and they should have to sign under penalty of perjury.  In addition no evidence was given to animal services to indicate any past aggression or biting incidents involving George.  They put George down based solely on my neighbors statement within a week of surrender. There was no evidence that he even trapped George on his property.  Animal services needs to do a better job of investigating before destroying animals. It doesn’t cost them anything to post a picture letting the public know.  A week is not enough time. 

This policy of euthanization without cause and without public notification is not only inhumane but also robs pet owners of the opportunity to save their beloved pets. Every surrendered cat or dog deserves a fair chance at a new life, be it through adoption or by alerting owners and the community that they are in custody.

Did you know that according to the ASPCA, approximately 860,000 cats are euthanized every year? This staggering statistic highlights the need for reform in animal service practices to prevent unnecessary euthanasia.

I am urging local councils and animal services to implement policies that require all cats and dogs turned into shelters to be put up for adoption unless they are truly sick and can’t be saved or publicly listed online as surrendered before any euthanization decision is made. The report from animal services does not mention any steps they took to determine if George was aggressive or sick. This should become a mandatory step, before euthanizing, and during this time, animal services must ensure transparency and accountability through online postings and public notifications and assessments as to temperament. 

This policy change could significantly reduce unnecessary euthanasia rates, allow pet owners the chance to retrieve their lost animals, and enable more cats and dogs to find a loving home. Let us come together to advocate for this humane approach and save countless lives.

Please sign this petition to make a compassionate change in animal services' protocols, ensuring every surrendered cat and dog has a fighting chance to be either reunited with their family or to find a new home.

Darice Wallace