Remembering O.C.

**pomtzu** · 04-07-2009, 07:16 AM

It was one year ago today that O.C. (meaning "other cat"), made his journey to RB.

O.C. - I just want you to remember that I had no choice but to let you go, since the animal control laws here really stink. All I tried to do was to help you over your injury when I took you to the vet - little did I know the terrible outcome that was soon to follow. It wasn't fair that you had to be taken away from your best buddy Sherbie, and he still misses you so much. I do too!

But I know that you're having fun at RB with all your new friends, and that we will meet again one day. Until then - have lots of exciting adventures - but no chasing bunnies!

(Sherbie on left/O.C. on right)

**Pinot's Mom** · 04-07-2009, 10:35 AM

I'm sorry for the loss of OC - I know you still miss your kitty, and they look so cute together in that picture!

I have one question, and, if you don't want to revisit the event, you don't have to, but what animal control laws were in issue?

**pomtzu** · 04-07-2009, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Pinot's Mom

I'm sorry for the loss of OC - I know you still miss your kitty, and they look so cute together in that picture!

I have one question, and, if you don't want to revisit the event, you don't have to, but what animal control laws were in issue?

No problem - I'll TRY to be brief!

O.C. and Sherbie were/are resident strays for several years - outside kitties taking up residence here - and I fed them. O.C. sustained an injury to his leg, so I took him to the vet for treatment. Being that it was an injury of unknown origin, my vet would have to consider the possibility of a bite by a rabid animal (I live in a rural area), and I had no proof of a rabies vaccine. That left only 2 options - one was to cage quarantine him here for 6 full months with only one person allowed to care for/treat him for that time, and the second was euthanasia. Since the quarantine would have been next to impossible, there was no alternative.

Then to make matters worse, my vet was required by law to report it as possible rabies to animal control. I in turn, was served the following day with a citation by animal control for failing to vaccinate MY cat. It seems DE law says that if you provide food to an animal for 3 days, then the state considers you the owner. I pleaded not guilty and took it to court, and the case was dismissed on a technicality.

So I was punished for feeding him and then trying to care for him when he got injured, rather than let him wander off into the woods and die a slow and painful death when the infection took over - and he lost his life because I elected to help him. It's a shame that the state doesn't put more time and effort in to punishing those guilty of neglect and abuse to animals, and not those who are being humane to them. Sends a very bad message - IMO!

**Pinot's Mom** · 04-07-2009, 12:17 PM

Is this a vet you knew? That seems a bit harsh. I know they're under obligation to report certain things, but, I would think in this case they could have considered it basically an anonymous drop off since the kitty was PTS. The citation just seems too much. Your story prompted me to look up what I could for Maryland law and it appears we have more leniency in that regard. There was something passed in 2007 which allows for the feeding of feral cats without penalty or "ownership".

In any case, thank you for attempting to do the right thing, and I am sorry for the loss of OC.

**pomtzu** · 04-07-2009, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Pinot's Mom

Is this a vet you knew? That seems a bit harsh. I know they're under obligation to report certain things, but, I would think in this case they could have considered it basically an anonymous drop off since the kitty was PTS. The citation just seems too much. Your story prompted me to look up what I could for Maryland law and it appears we have more leniency in that regard. There was something passed in 2007 which allows for the feeding of feral cats without penalty or "ownership".

In any case, thank you for attempting to do the right thing, and I am sorry for the loss of OC.

It was my regular vet, and while I realize she had an obligation under the law, I felt that it was harsh, under the circumstances. I don't blame her tho - she did what she had to do - and she could have lost her license if she got caught not reporting it. My gripe was with the state - and I let it be known when I went to court! Everyone that knows what happened, just can't believe the state would actually prosecute.

**catmandu** · 04-07-2009, 02:25 PM

I think that we have similar laws in Ontario as My Vet said that Ebony Beau Tubster who was FIP and had FELV was a stray that he personally had found so that the Animal Control would not bother me about the several Cats who live here.
Thats a shame that that stupid Catch 52 kept you from adopting O.C.
and took Sherbies Best Friend away
They look so good together in that photo.
You will be all be reunited in Paradise where there are no stupid beaurocrats.
One Fine Day.

**lvpets2002** · 04-17-2009, 12:16 PM

This is such a Sad Story.. I just want to Cry for you & O.C... That is just Horrible that you had to make that decision.. Poor You & the Baby O.C... Many Many Huggss & RIP wittle O.C.= Play Hard at the Bridge..

Originally Posted by pomtzu

No problem - I'll TRY to be brief!

O.C. and Sherbie were/are resident strays for several years - outside kitties taking up residence here - and I fed them. O.C. sustained an injury to his leg, so I took him to the vet for treatment. Being that it was an injury of unknown origin, my vet would have to consider the possibility of a bite by a rabid animal (I live in a rural area), and I had no proof of a rabies vaccine. That left only 2 options - one was to cage quarantine him here for 6 full months with only one person allowed to care for/treat him for that time, and the second was euthanasia. Since the quarantine would have been next to impossible, there was no alternative.

Then to make matters worse, my vet was required by law to report it as possible rabies to animal control. I in turn, was served the following day with a citation by animal control for failing to vaccinate MY cat. It seems DE law says that if you provide food to an animal for 3 days, then the state considers you the owner. I pleaded not guilty and took it to court, and the case was dismissed on a technicality.

So I was punished for feeding him and then trying to care for him when he got injured, rather than let him wander off into the woods and die a slow and painful death when the infection took over - and he lost his life because I elected to help him. It's a shame that the state doesn't put more time and effort in to punishing those guilty of neglect and abuse to animals, and not those who are being humane to them. Sends a very bad message - IMO!

**pomtzu** · 04-06-2011, 08:06 AM

Tomorrow it will be 3 years since O.C. made that final journey. We still miss him and think of him often. His pal Sherbie misses him the most, I think.
In spite of the fact that O.C. wasn't with us for all that long a time, he left huge pawprints on our hearts, and we will never forget him. I'm sure he is looking down on all of us, and that he is happily awaiting the day he is with us again.

Love and miss you, little OrangeMan...

Sherbie left/OC right

**Cataholic** · 04-06-2011, 08:16 AM

I am so very sorry. It reminds me of the phrase, "sometimes our best is not good enough". It doesn't help your grief. You did right by O.C., and that is the focal point. Hugs to you.