I share this deeply personal story, a somber testament to the inadequacy of our current societal perspective towards animals. Last Saturday was tragically marked by the loss of my beloved cat. She had been hit by a car and collected by animal control around 6:30 PM, by which time the animal shelter had already closed. Over the next few days, despite numerous visits and corresponding with law enforcement, I struggled to obtain confirmation of her identity.

Despite providing sufficient verification, upon my return to the shelter to have her body appropriately cremated, I was told she was sent for a mass cremation, in violation of their own protocols. This painful ordeal reflects a systemic lack of empathy and respect for animals, treating them as mere objects rather than sentient beings with their own worth. I was lied to and mislead by the Moreno Valley animal shelter and need them held accountable. I will never get her back and the workers told me there’s nothing to fix it after telling me they had her that morning and Was in the freezer. Later disposing of her anyways & trying to cover up that it was not her. Moreno Valley animal shelter you should be ashamed.

Legal recognition of animal sentience is far from universal. In fact, many legal systems around the world still classify animals as property, although animal cruelty is widely recognized as illegal. Discrimination persists in spite of studies confirming that animals experience emotions, form bonds and show intelligence (Gary L. Francione, Animals as Persons).

It's time to reimagine our relationship with animals. That's why we're calling on lawmakers to recognize animals as sentient beings in lieu of property. This critical shift would ensure more humane treatment, better protection, and a larger voice for animals in our society. We need new management and workers.

Please, sign this petition today and contribute to a more compassionate tomorrow. Let's ensure no other animal owner experiences the distress that I have had to go through. #justiceforgritos