Stupid Irresponsible Pet Owners!!!

[moosmom]

This is a vent.

The gentleman we've been helping TNR his cats, gave my phone number to a guy across the street who has a mama cat and her 4 babies that had been living on the neighbors roof. She finally brought them off the roof and he has the kittens in his screened in porch. They are approximately 6-7 weeks old.

I told him I'd be happy to pick up the kittens and take them to the vet with me (Shortie has a gooey eye) so they can be checked out. He was NOT being cooperative. Especially when I asked him how he intended to pay for the vet bill. "I thought you were a non-profit that took kittens and sold them to pet stores? I was also told that to fix them would be $20 per cat." I told him no, that I have the kittens checked out, get their first set of shots and treated for both worms and fleas. "They don't have fleas or worms." Okay, so now this moron is a DVM. Uh-huh. I explained that I can humanely trap the mama and have her spayed by the TEAM van for $68 per cat which includes all shots, notched ear, etc. He went off on me!!! He started cussing the TEAM van out saying "F-ing forget about it, I'll take care of 'the situation' myself." He then hung up. THAT sent me into a panic. I put a call into the ACO in East Hartford who is a great guy and has tons of connections to rescue organizations.

I also called Ray, the guy we're helping, and told him to tell that SOB if ANY of those cats go "poof", he'll have the ACO all over him like white on rice.

This kitten season has really taken it's toll on me and ALL rescuers I'm sure. People's stupidity never cease to amaze me. This guy was a real a-hole. He was trying to put this "problem" on me, and I'm fed up. Especially when they tell you they'll "take care of it".

Thanks for listening. This was going on the whole time I was at work. I'm feeding Ray's cats tomorrow morning and just might take a jaunt over to this moron's house.

I give up.

[Catty1]

I hope you and Ray and someone can POOF those cats. What an idiot!

PRAYERS that the mama and babies are safe.

Donna, I hope you are taking some care of yourself...I know this is hard on you. Would an AC buddy meet you there?

HUGS HUGS and HUGS!

[rebeccahowes]

Don't give up. The kitties need you. In my town right now there are tons of free kittens in the papers and on the websites. Kittens are everywhere at this time. They need all of us not to give up. I get discouraged because I have nine cats at home, but then I think about how much I love them. There are people out there that do not care about animals. We have to help those animals that no one cares about. Stay strong, pray, and keep up the good work.

[Medusa]

Oh boy, Donna. Did I read right, that this guy is a DVM? Can you find out for sure and track him down? (legally, of course) I know it's difficult when you don't have the cooperation of the owners and it's even more difficult when they claim to love animals but leave it in the hands of everyone else to care for them, then cry foul or whine when they have to take responsibility. Please keep us posted on this situation and let us know how we can help.

[Laura's Babies]

Some people! Don't you just want to grab them and shake them till their teeth rattle?!

[moosmom]

Okay, so now this moron is a DVM. Uh-huh

Mary,

It's so hard to translate SARCASM via the internet. No, he's not a DVM. More like a beer guzzling redneck.

I went to feed the other cats this morning and he WAS home but I didn't want to go confront him. The last thing I need is to get arrested for trespassing. I'm waiting for a phone call the East Hartford ACO. Maybe he'll meet me there.

Oh, Shortie has conjunctivitis in her eye. She's on Ammoxicillin with steroids as well. I thanked Dr. Geer personally for all his help with the kittens. He thanked me for the wonderful thank you note I sent him. He's the best.

[Miss Z]

He sounds like such a waste of space. He should count himself lucky that a good person like you is willing to help him out! I really hope he doesn't harm those innocent kittens and their mum before you can get to them. Keep persevering, Donna.

And I hope Shortie's eye gets better soon! She is such a doll!

[GILL]

Donna the Crew and I will help in any way we can. It's only a 2.5 hour drive if you need us.

[moosmom]

Thanks for the offer, John. I'll let you know what happens. The sad thing is and what really ticked me off was he wouldn't even let me explain the team van and the great work they do.

[moosmom]

I just got off the phone with the ACO (actually his fill-in as he's on vacation). We spoke in length about the situation. He said that Connecticut State Statutes have absolutely NO provisions for cats, only dogs.

He said if someone hits a dog with a car, law requires him to stop and try and find the owner. If he hits a cat, he can just keep right on driving by.

I was GOING to borrow a Humane trap and go there after dark to try and trap the mama. But, the last thing I need is to get arrested for trespassing, so I'm done with this thing. The ACO is going to give him some phone numbers of rescue organizations and he said that is about all he can do.

I am SOOO infuriated that CT laws protect dogs and not cats. This is BULL and the laws have GOT to change. This is WRONG!!!

[Medusa]

I'm w/ya, Donna, but unfortunately, it's like that here in OH, too. I was told that, if someone kills my dog, I can seek financial remuneration but it's a small amount, something like $200 max but, quite honestly, I'm not sure of the amount. Cats...nothing.

You tried your best, girl, and that's all you can do. We can't save the world, although I know so many of us have tried. You've got to have some cooperation and it sounds as though you're not getting any. Try not to feel too badly.

[moosmom]

Sometimes it is SOOOO difficult not to despise people. This guy makes it easy!!!!

It's in the hands of the ACO now. At least I know I can sleep tonight.