Stolen Picture

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Originally posted by moosmom
Sorry for the double post, but I just took a look at the "death row" babies they claim are up for adoption. SOME of the pictures look awfully suspicious to me. Especially the Maine Coons, of which they seem to have an abundance of. They look as though they've been taken by a professional photographer, which alot of breeders have done to advertise kittens for sale.

Another thing...these people claim to rescue these babies from "kill shelters". If they have already been rescued out of the shelters then WHY do they have THIS on each and every one of the kitten's links:

This baby is on DEATH ROW and doesn't deserve to die. This sweet baby may die never knowing love or safety. Can you open your heart and home and give this sweetie a second chance at love? PLEASE HURRY!
THIS BABY CAN BE EUTHANIZED ANY DAY!!
SAVE THIS LIFE!
PLEASE DON'T LET THIS SWEET BABY DIE.

I smell a rat here. I hope petfinder.com looks into this further.

I have also emailed them and told them I'm interested in adopting a kitten. I want to find out what (I think) their scam is. I'll let you know what I find out and how they respond.

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I was looking at those same kittens and asking the same questions. As cute as those pictures are, why not use their own (if they are their own) and why does a rescue group have death row babues?!?

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Originally posted by Kfamr
I was wondering.. Maybe it's time for a new POTD, COTD, and DOTD sign/award?
One that can't as easily be photoshopped out?
Maybe something like this?

-shurgs- I dunno... just an idea ;)

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oo Kay thats a wonderful idea!:) You should PM karen about it

Kay, anything like a "watermark" that can be added in can be taken out. And we never want to obscure the pets' beautiful photos!

I know, but it's a lot harder to do so.

The siamese kitty on the top is gone... and so is Peanut and a lot of the others.... I wonder where they got the new ones??? Probably a breeders site. They have a lot of pics of purebreds where's the needy cats????? :confused: This place is bonkers it just makes you wonder if they are doing it for a good cause. What shelter would say this cat is on death row save it now... thats ridiculous. They are just pleaing with people to take the cats not find them proper homes.It sounds like malarky to me,...

They've removed all but two of the pictures from CatoftheDay.com - the little "praying kitten," Pippin, and Frankie, the bengal. I just don't understand why they don't put real adoptable kitties' pictures up!

I replied back to them and basically said what Cincy's Mom said. Using their own words I told them I thought it was wrong that they felt that anything on the internet was free for their taking. And not to worry, I don't feel guilty at all - in other words, their tactics didn't work. ;)

Also, just so everybody knows, Peanut has received countless treats and endless skritchies in compensation.;)

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Originally posted by Cincy'sMom
I was looking at those same kittens and asking the same questions. As cute as those pictures are, why not use their own (if they are their own) and why does a rescue group have death row babues?!?

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To play devil's advocate, some professional photographers donate their time/talent to shelters; I know there's one in NM that does.

Also, there's a bunny rescue in CA that posts pics of kill-shelter rabbits on their website, trying to move those babies ASAP.

But I *highly* doubt either of those situations are the case for this rescue.

I can't believe their response! :mad:

I might have an idea where those pictures came from.

I used to use Webshots (a picture desktop) and I always used cats pictures from their. Alot of those cat pictures look familiar to me.

Just an idea.


I think it's horrible they have to go, and use peoples pictures.

Even if Karen decides to use a 'non-right click code', there are still other ways they can sneek to get them.

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Originally posted by Amber
I might have an idea where those pictures came from.

I used to use Webshots (a picture desktop) and I always used cats pictures from their. Alot of those cat pictures look familiar to me.

Just an idea.


I think it's horrible they have to go, and use peoples pictures.

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Yes, I think the orange kitty with the yarn is from webshots

I think Frankie and Pippin are still on their site.

I too was appalled by their response, what a cheek, no-one would have minded in the least to have their cat on their site, if they had the simple courtesy just to ask, that I am sure of.

However I think suing them would not be a great idea, mainly because if by some chance this is a genuine rescue, then what would be achieved here, but like Donna I smell a rat too.

I just wonder what would be their pay off here (as Dr Phil says lol),by doing this.

It would indeed by nice to get to the bottom of it all, and just see what they are playing at, a normal rescue would use their own cats pics, not steal them, very odd indeed, and suspicious.

:eek: The nerve of some people.

I also wonder why they can't use the cats/kittens from THEIR shelter to take pictures of?

Hmm.

I don't think suing is the way to go, as rescues are terribly underfunded as it is! If we all bombard them with emails asking to adopt particular COTD cats featured there, I wonder if that would change things? It all smells fishy to me though. As pointed out, many of the kittens are purebreds (which makes me think 'kitten mills') and as also pointed out, professionaly photographed. Hmmmm. :confused:

Having routinely taken pictures of kittens and cats for a local rescue group here in Los Angeles that have available for adoption I can tell you that it's hard to get a good photo. You don't live with these cats and don't have a lot of great photo ops. We try hard to get a cute photo for the web site so they will get adopted sooner rather than later. No snarling or grumpy looks!

I noticed that the site doesn't say the cats pictured are of any relation to the organization and link to the available cats page. Maybe they just want to show what a happy, well loved cat looks like? Their cause is good so I'd be inclined to cut them some slack. If they were using the picture for some commercial deal I'd hammer them!

The COTD picture of Peanut is terrific! She's quite beautiful.

I just finished reading threw this thread and I looked at the website. There are still COTD pics there but what made me more upset was this:

http://members.petfinder.org/~NY413/pets.html

LAST CHANCE KITTENS!? :mad: :eek: :(

quote: Time is almost up for each kitten on this page. Every kitten on this page is scheduled to die on or before Wednesday - November 17, 2004 if not rescued before that date.

Thats disgusting!! Why cant they just be put with the other kittens and cats. Isent November 17 2004 THIS wednestday:( I think everything deserves a chance at life why cant a little kitten have a full life?

If the kitten is in control of the local animal shelter the shelter sets the rules. We have that problem here in Los Angeles. The shelters don't keep animals longer than 72 hours and then put them down. They will not turn a cat or dog over to a rescue group either so it's up to rescue groups to find a home for the animal while being under the gun on time. It is disgusting and sad but it's the way it is until each city with this kind of animal services finds a mayor without a heart of stone.

Maybe they don't have a camera! I too think this wrong, they could atleast ask . I had a bad feeling about them when Kahio cross posted the transport. None of the times were filled. A rescue group with out any one volentering. Give me a breck. We see on here lots of them and usually only a couple spots needed becouse of the people in the group.
I too think petfinder needs to check out this group.

Randy while I do agree with your point of view, I think they went about it the wrong way. They should have asked for permission first, even granting them that maybe they didn't think it was such a big deal they could have been nicer about the whole situation. Karen and T&P sent them polite emails asking that they remove the photos, and they were very rude in return. When you do something wrong, you apologize. It's a simple concept, intead they were acting as if people should be ashamed for being upset over stolen photos. I've seen other rescue sites that don't have cameras and they will say something along the lines of "the kitten looks very similar to the one in the picture"

It may just be my computer.... but, on mine I am still seeing all the pics that were on there to begin with.

Try refreshing the page by pressing the Refresh button. You may be seeing what your browser has stored off line.

There's a belief held by some that if a picture is on the Internet it's fair game for use in any way. I know someone who found some of his pictures published in a book. The author claimed they were not stolen but the author's own pictures. The problem was that the real owner of the pictures was in some of those pictures. Also there is a fair use policy covering academic applications although that is frequently abused by using the pictures online rather than in a teaching environment.

The developer of the website probably figured there's 20 million cats in the USA and what's the possibility of one cat's picture being found by the animal's owner. Evidently 100%

The rescue group should have asked permission even after the fact rather than being hostile. That shows no class at all!

Hi ~
I'm new here; I visited because a friend of mine comes here. With great interest, I've been reading the thread about the "stolen" pictures. I don't know if they were "stolen" - I'm not knowledgeable about such things - but I do see a lot of vindictiveness in *some* replies. Some, blessedly, have expressed reasonable opinions; someone explained *why* kittens on "death row" are pictured - because the shelter won't release the animals to a rescue until their time is up. Someone else explained about trying to get decent photos of the kittens. Now, this I do know: Barb does not get her kittens "off the street," as someone suggested. And there *are* people - plenty of them - who volunteer to do transports for her; I've done three myself, so I know whereof I speak. It's one of the most satisfying things I've ever done, and I look forward to helping again.

There was a very good reason why she was pleading for volunteers -and if you'd carefully read the entire email she sent out, you'd know that she usually deals with rescues from TN, WV, and VA - and has *no* contacts in the midwest, where these kittens are. Isn't that a logical reason for the plea?

I don't know the woman personally; I've never met her. But I do believe she's acting in the best interests of the kittens. If she had some nefarious purpose for wanting them - well, there are certainly easier ways to acquire them than to spend the time it takes to plan out a route & then beg for volunteers to help transport.

Should she have asked permission to use your photos? Frankly, I don't know. If her response was less than you desired, perhaps you should think of how she was put onto the defensive. And even if you think her use of your photos was wrong, and even if you dislike her response - can you not consider the great good she is doing & be a bit kind & compassionate? Do you know what strain she might be under? OK, it happened - but it's certainly not worth all the incriminations. Maybe she made a mistake; if so, it was an honest one. If none of you have ever made a mistake, then go ahead and cast your stones; otherwise, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

I know several people dedicated to cat rescue. They work long hours at no pay because of their dedication to these little beasts. One woman is fostering 10 adult cats in her one-bedroom apartment while trying to find other people who can foster more until homes can be found for them all. Regrettably, there's always more to rescue. And there's a lot of unrecoverable out-of-pocket costs involved in rescue too. Perhaps the use of the picture seemed too small an issue when taken in perspective.

If the picture of Peanut gets one single cat a new home then it's worth it!

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Originally posted by Randy_K
One woman is fostering 10 adult cats in her one-bedroom apartment while trying to find other people who can foster more until homes can be found for them all.

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I don't think having 10 cats in a small apartment is very fair to the cats.

Thank you, Randy; yours was one of the voices of reason that I mentioned. You make a great deal of sense.

Perhaps being on the street is better? As an alternative, Los Angeles city shelters only holds them for 72 hours and then kills them. Ten cats is her worst case but it is a temporary condition. There's a terrible shortage of people who will foster cats available for adoption so there's no quick solution.

A foundation run by Buddy Hackett's widow Sherry Hackett now called the Buddy Hackett Singita Animal Sanctuary is building a care facility in Los Angeles to provide the foster care, medical care and the socializing kittens and puppies need in their own facility. It will help the rescuers some...

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Originally posted by maerlyn
If her response was less than you desired, perhaps you should think of how she was put onto the defensive. And even if you think her use of your photos was wrong, and even if you dislike her response - can you not consider the great good she is doing & be a bit kind & compassionate? Do you know what strain she might be under? OK, it happened - but it's certainly not worth all the incriminations. Maybe she made a mistake; if so, it was an honest one. If none of you have ever made a mistake, then go ahead and cast your stones; otherwise, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

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I have to agree. I am happy, Peanut's picture is down and that's what I had asked her to do. I was not thrilled with her response, but I can understand how she is possibly - and probably - under a lot of stress. If she is anything like the people on this site who do rescue - Kimlovescats, K & L, Queenscoopalot, and others - I can totally understand the stress she might be under. And to be honest, if I was in her position the status of a few pictures on the website would be the least of my problems.

However, she needs to know that just because things are on the internet that doesn't mean they're free for the taking of anyone who wants to use them. She made a mistake, but I hope she also learned something from it. I also hope that Karen gets a quick response and satisfaction on her requests also. Then we can all let this die down.

I was surprised to see Peanut's pic and I'm glad she took it down. Like I said before, I would have been more than happy to let her keep it up if she had just asked - or even had a more polite response to my request. However, it turns out it really wasn't up to me since it was a COTD picture, which by all rights belongs to Karen and the COTD site - not me.

I think Maeryln is right about some of the responses, and like I also said, I wouldn't even consider suing because first of all, they're a rescue and they have no money. Second of all, I would rather they spend what little money they have on the cats, not a law suit. And finally, because it was a COTD picture, I don't even think I would have the right to sue anymore since the pic was technically the property of Karen and COTD!

Some of the posts almost make it look like it's time to send this thread to the doghouse - and that was definitely NOT my original intention.

I already mentioned for the most part how I felt about some of the accusations. As for her responses, she could have at least apologized when she was approached with her mistake. Again, I think accusing the shelter of being run by criminals is a bit harsh. I'm sure it was an honest mistake and that it wasn't done with malicious intent. I looked at the site and would never have thought those cats pictured were ones available for adoption, it looks like a border to me. I can see why she wouldn't have photos of her own cats or kittens on the site, they are hard to photograph. But, there are plenty of photos online that are available for public use. It's unfortunate that she responded the way she did, and, unfortunate the way some people retaliated. I would think she would just take them down to avoid getting any more emails, though. It's not like it would ruin her site to not have those photos. Just my opinion.

I admit I over reacted on the last chance kitten thing..but it upset me.

Sorry for over reacting!!:)

I'm sure many of you have received the email with cute cat & kitten pictures, with inspirational sayings under them....Bendy's picture's been circualting a long time! I wanted to attach his owner's website here as well, but she's exceeded the bandwidth, and it's not available at this time....Bendy has radial hypoplasia like several of my gang, and Sasha put braces on his legs to correct the curvature. He was so cute someone stole his picture as well, and here it is...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...alot/Bendy.jpg

OMG, QSA!!! Bendy is the most adorable little kitty! I can see why they would want to use his pic, but I still don't think it's right. I've seen quite a few of those inspirational type emails, but I haven't come across one with Bendy in it. Just look at that little fuzz face! You don't happen to have a current picture of him, do you? I'm sure he's much bigger now, but probably no less adorable. :D

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Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
OMG, QSA!!! Bendy is the most adorable little kitty! I can see why they would want to use his pic, but I still don't think it's right. I've seen quite a few of those inspirational type emails, but I haven't come across one with Bendy in it. Just look at that little fuzz face! You don't happen to have a current picture of him, do you? I'm sure he's much bigger now, but probably no less adorable. :D

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I don't have any current pictures of him. He isn't one of the kitties here, and I tried to add the link for Bendy's website here, but it's exceeeded the bandwidth capacity. :eek: He is huge, and handsome now!

Just today I got an email with a pic of a lady holding an enormous cat, and admonished the sender that he shouldn't be propagating such things without permission! I won't even use someone's pic as a desktop without PMing them and asking permission.

Something about that shelter just doesn't pass the smell test, but I can't put my finger on it. Don't they even have ONE good photographer? My tiny group has at least half a dozen people who can take pics good enough to display the cats and kittens on the Internet.

If I were looking at any rescue website, I would assume the pictures posted were those of cats up for adoption or at the very least cats who had been adopted through that organization unless it was explicitly stated otherwise. Trust is an important aspect when one is operating any charitable organization. It seems that the operators of this one have yet to understand that.
If one cannot trust the veracity of what is portrayed, what else can't be trusted.

In the same vein, I do not feel it is right to approach an organization on the subterfuge that one is considering adopting one of their animals. Although the purpose is investigative, in this instance there was no need to investigate. We already know what had been done.

Doing good in one respect does not confer the right to commit other acts which are not of common decency or are against the law. If this person were genuinely not aware that she was doing something which was inappropriate, she should have welcomed being informed of that, taken corrective action, and apologized.
Hopefully it is not too late for her to learn and grow so the work of her organization can thrive instead of being seen as one of which to be wary.