Ghostlight Books, a beloved local bookstore, has become more than just a place to buy books. Besides offering a unique shopping experience, it is also a safe refuge for four charming felines, Neil, Terry, Rascal, and Nugget. These wonderful cats not only live peacefully at Ghostlight, their presence adds to the individuality, charm, and overall customer experience of the store. Furthermore, Neil and Terry's bookstore adventures have attracted a considerable following on Instagram, drawing thousands of new customers to our store.

Unfortunately, recent events have threatened the residency of our cherished cats. The landlord gave permission for the cats to be there and had been in the store regularly, including near the first of September, and never mentioned any issues or concerns from his personal experience.

On September 17th, Ghostlight Books was notified by the landlord that they must “remove any/all animals from the house and/or property” due to “cat smells”. This was following an illness the week prior of their cat, Neil, who was diagnosed and treated for a UTI and is currently working through a course of antibiotics. The Ghostlight team has not received any complaints while constantly monitoring for any offending smells, and the landlord also refuses to give the source of these “multiple complaints”. The landlord of the bookstore wants to evict them, claiming they create issues. This move, however, jeopardizes the unique culture and attraction of Ghostlight Books. Moreover, the Ghostlight volunteer team has been tirelessly managing Neil's health situation, ensuring he is comfortable and well cared for, leaving no room for any alleged 'issues'.

The situation is also not as simple as “take the cats home”, as the Executive Director – the cats’ caregiver – lives on site with her son, who is also quite bonded to the cats. The landlord expressly consented to the cats living on-site with their human family. In the two years of their residence on the property, customers and the monthly visits from the landlord have not garnered any complaints previously.

In light of the above, we call on the support of our dedicated customers, cat lovers, and everyone who appreciates the uniqueness of small businesses. By signing this petition, you will help ensure Neil, Terry, Rascal, and Nugget are allowed to stay in their home, and Ghostlight Books retains its unique charm. Please sign the petition to protest the eviction of the Ghostlight Books cats.