"Pay the reclaim fee or we're killing it"

http://wisconsinwatchdog.blogspot.ca/2012/03/power-to-kill.html

There is way more to the story, but I don't want to copy/paste the whole thing. Basically, it's the back and forth of a woman who was fighting to get her cat back and the shelter refused, spending more money on holding and wanting to euthanize it instead of working out a payment option of some sort with her. Ridiculous.

 

I always thought that blackmail was used on human beings. Looks like the criminal-minded have expanded their repertoire to include animals as well.

 

That is so awful! I can't believe that a shelter would do that because they are hard up for $280. Actually, in this economy, I believe it. She should have posted the name of the shelter here so we can all call them and give them a piece of our mind!

 

It's listed:

Fox Valley Humane Association​

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I'm sure they're getting a lot of backlash for it as I'm starting to see this pop up in a few places and people tend to go nuts with it. They obviously crossed lines.

 

How horrible is this? I wouldn't have been nice to these people at all. My cat's are my babies too! That would be like a doctor saying I couldn't have my kid because I had a balance due. Goodness, people these days!

 

This is so strange because I have a friend that is in a similar situation. He has been a friend of our family for years and he rents from his aunt. Well, he recently had a run of bad luck so the Aunt locked up the house; he tried to get his cat out and she told him if he stepped foot in the house she would have him arrested. She then had his cat picked up by animal control when he tried to get the cat back he was told it would cost 350 dollars, even though the cat had all its shots and was already neutered. So, at this point he had no choice and just told the people to please try to find a good home for him. I know he loved his cat very much and spoiled it rotten. I find it very disturbing that that a person could take someone's animal away like that!

 

Looks like we've got some crossed topics here - http://www.cathow.com/threads/fox-valley-humane-association-wanted-to-kill-my-cat.1036/

 

I agree with everyone else. This type of action is aweful to say the least. If I really wanted this cat for my pet, I guess I would keep on trying to find ways to help me get this cat. I might ask some of my family members for a small loan. I just couldn't think of them killing on of God's creatures.

 

Has anyone tried something like starting a petition? It might get some results. Better than just twiddling thumbs.

 

That is actually a good idea, aside from calling the shelter and giving them a piece of your mind. I can't believe a shelter would react in such a way. $280 is a lot of money for some people, but I would try to get it no matter what especially if it involves my loved ones.

 

No need! Funny Face was returned to them. A friend of the family loaned them the money so they could get the kitty back. It's unfortunate they had to do that, but I'm glad they had a friend who was willing to help them out before it was too late.

 

Good to know that it ended on a happy note. However that doesn't mean the shelter won't do it again to another person. And the next person may not be so lucky. I still think something more definite must be done about the shelter.

 

As much backlash as they got when this hit the internet, I'm sure their reputation is quite hindered at this point. I don't know what you could actually -do,- though. After all, they didn't do anything illegal so you can't get them shut down. The most you can do is discourage people from using that facility, but then you're punishing the animals and not the people who were in charge of this.