Since going to media in April 2016 (see link - https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/cats-found-in-freezer-at-wagga-wagga-city-council-animal-shelter-20160331-gnuqdn.html ), we have spent time trying to find the truth. Sadly there will probably never be justice for this poor cat. 1. Council Responses: When we first asked Council for an explanation for the frozen cat, in October 2015 Council stated “the issues that you have raised in relation to the photos are historic in nature and I am unable to provide you with any context or reasonable answer to those matters”. After we went to media in April 2016, Council's Open Letter stated that the cat was “fatally hit by a vehicle”. We asked under GIPA (Government Information Public Access Act) for all documentation regarding this road-kill cat, and received the Ranger’s work diary notes. We have never accepted Council’s explanations because of our observations/notes and the information we obtained under GIPA (Ranger’s work diary, Impound Register). 2. The Frozen Cat Incident: - On Thursday afternoon a lady brought in three cats from her husband's work place. These cats were put into cat cages. A volunteer felt uneasy after observing the rangers’ behaviour when she was leaving at closing time. Of the three cats that had been brought in, two disappeared over night. - We learnt early Friday morning (the next day) of the frozen cat in the freezer, well before 10:30 am as referenced in the Ranger’s work diary, “Pick up Dead cat…10.30 am…grey shopping bag in freezer.” - We went to GRAS Friday afternoon to see the cat in the freezer for ourselves. We were disturbed by the deep grooves/claw-like marks in the ice, the blood smears on the four walls of the freezer and the strange crouching position of the cat. The cat was not in a shopping bag as referenced in the Ranger’s diary “grey shopping bag in freezer”. There was also no blood coming from the cat’s eyes as referenced in the Ranger’s diary, “blood from eyes”. Whilst we were at GRAS, the lady who had brought in the three cats returned to GRAS to bring in another cat. She was surprised that two of the cats she had brought in the day before, were no longer at GRAS. One of the missing cats had been her husband’s favourite. - Under GIPA we accessed the Impound Register for GRAS and this confirmed our diary notes/observations - the two cats that had disappeared overnight appear not to have been given impound numbers, and therefore are totally unaccounted for. 3. Unanswered Questions: - Why was there an un-bagged cat in the freezer early Friday morning well before 10.30am? - What is the explanation for the deep grooves/claw-like marks in the ice inside the freezer, the blood smears on the four walls of the freezer and the strange crouching position of the cat? - Why have two cats disappeared overnight? - What is the explanation for their disappearance and why were they given such a short length of time at GRAS? This does not follow legislation. - What happened to these two cats? - Why did these two cats appear not to have been given impound numbers? There should be a record of every animal that enters a pound. Otherwise, how are accurate statistics sent to the Office of Local Government for their Pound Data Report? - Was one of these cats that disappeared overnight, the frozen cat in the freezer? - What happened to the other cat brought in by the lady? - The Ranger’s Diary states that the dead cat was placed in a "grey shopping bag in freezer". Where was this cat? - If we were to believe Council’s explanation that the frozen cat was the same cat as referenced in the Ranger’s Diary “Pick up Dead cat…10.30 am…grey shopping bag in freezer”, does that mean that the dead cat was taken out of the grey shopping bag, placed in the freezer un-bagged and blood was smeared on the four walls of the freezer? We have asked Council such questions and gave witness statements to the RSPCA. If you would like an explanation regarding the unanswered questions in regards to the frozen cat, please respectfully contact the following: - Council: council@wagga.nsw.gov.au - Councillors: councillors@wagga.nsw.gov.au - RSPCA: https://www.rspcansw.org.au/contact-us/send-an-enquiry/ Please note this does not apply to current staff working at GRAS. The animals at GRAS are being well cared for by current staff and they are doing a great job in keeping animals for longer periods, giving them a better chance at adoption/rescue. Our concern is that the incidents that occurred at GRAS have never been properly investigated. There should not be so many unanswered questions. Why are there conflicting statements by Council? We think Council management is accountable for what occurred at GRAS for so many years and someone should be held to account.