HEADS wants to take Lil Eli!!

[moosmom]

Opinions needed here...

Remember I told you a couple months back how I was trying to find a good home for Eli (this was before he fell 20 feet out my front window and was missing for 5 days). I had signed him over to HEADS to rehome him.

Well, HEADS put him at PetSmart but he was VERY frightened and wouldn't eat or use the box. They called me and asked me if I would be willing to foster him. After thinking very long and hard about it, I decided it was in Lil Eli's best interest to keep him here, with the only family he has ever known (besides Kimmy).

I told HEADS about it and they said I'd have to pay the vet and vaccination fee! I yessed them to death and got Lil Eli outta there as quick as possible.

Months later (after promising them their $45) they keep hounding me, telling me that since I hadn't paid the $45 (I put out $160 out of my own pocket to get him neutered and utd on all his vacs) that the board agreed I should pay the $125 adoption fee!! This is also after Lil Eli fell 20 feet out my front window.

I got a call last night (I was working at the time) telling me that they have 2 good homes (yeah right!!) or Lil Eli to go to and if I don't come up with the $125 adoption fee, they will take further action.

They CLAIM they are only interested in Lil Eli's welfare, but they ALSO keep pounding the fact that they want their money, and that I did sign a relinquishment contract, meaning the cat belongs to them.

This poor boy has been through SO much in his short little life, and now has the most wonderful home with me and my furbabies, I think it would be detrimental to rehome now. Besides, I love him with all my heart and possession is 9/10's of the law. I also know for a fact that those relinquishment papers aren't worth the paper their written on (I worked in animal rescue for over 6 years and that's what I was told).

What do I do??? It makes me FURIOUS how in one breathe they can say they are only looking out for Lil Eli's best interest, yet they keep harping on the money factor. It was only AFTER I didn't come up with the $45 that they mysteriously found 2 wonderful homes for him.

I know in my heart that if I let him go, he'll be miserable and get sick.

[jazzcat]

Isn't possession 9/10th of the law??

Anyway, do you have anything on paper that says only $45? If so show it to them, give them the $45 - the end. Do you think they will just take the $45 now and let every go or are they sticking to the $125 now.

Maybe you can talk to someone in person that is reasonable and work this out. I don't know what to tell you but I really hope you get this worked out so Eli can stay with you where he is happy.

I'll say a prayer, good luck and please keep us posted.

[trayi52]

Send them a bill!!!!!!

[ramanth]

I wanted to pick all of the lower four options.

Zam sez: Just tell them his original mommy....ME.... took him back.

Possession is 9/10ths of the law. Eli would FLIP if he went to another home. They know this.

Hold strong Donna!! *HUGS*

[CatDad]

A shelter that cares more about the money then the well being of the cat is just not right. I guess I am just naive but I think that the kitty would be there highest priority. I know that money is essential to continue to help, but really.

I would level with them and let them know that he is going to stay with you and give the shelter the original 45. That should be the end of it. IMHO. If you have something that talks about the 45 I would use that also.

The 125 that they decieded that you owed after words is not right, IMO. It is like agreeing to a price on purchase and then comming back later and saying oh we have decieded that you now own us more.

As for the 2 good homes I would think that a shelter would have lots of other choices that they could offer. I think that they would be thrilled to have 3 kitties homed permenately instead of just 1 or possiblly only 2.

I know that I could add alot more, but that is the condensed version of my thoughts.

[Cinder & Smoke]

They probably won't go away - OR forget.

The Personal Visit to their office sounds like a good idea.
TRY to reason with them...
Stress that You want to KEEP Eli.

And be sure to point out (possibly show receipts?) that
You paid $160 in Vet bills for him.

Curious - WHAT was the $45 for??

As for the "contract" that says they "own" Eli...
*I* wouldn't argue that point too much -
They just might have a Lawyer that would be willing to take
you into court. That could cost you more than the $45 if you need
to also have an attorney.

Seems to ME that they ought to be Happie as Klamz to forgive the
$45 and know that Lil Eli has a FurrEver home!

Good Luck!!

/s/ Phred

[RedHedd]

Did you sign a contract with HEADS? What does it say? A signed contract is binding (sorry, the paralegal in me is coming out). You can bolster your side of the story with your receipts for your out-of-pocket expenses (vet bills, etc.). Make copies of everything. Keeping quiet and hoping they'll go away probably won't work and can backfire - these HEADS people sound like they're not playing nice at all; all they want is their $$. If they have a signed contract they can and probably will come after you either directly or through a collection agency. Take the high road on this one: be up-front and bring your documents with you; keep Lil Eli safely behind locked doors! Let us know what happens.

[moosmom]

Look at this little boy. How could they POSSIBLY take him from the only home he's ever known with all his fur friends and put him somewhere that's so unfamiliar.

They called again today and I returned their call. I told a little white lie and said that Lil Eli did, in fact, fall 20 feet out the window. I told them I tried trapping him for a week with no results . I also told them I had the screen and my landlord as a proof.

I cannot believe what this woman told me!! She said that she'd have to take it up with the board and see if they will hold me legally responsible. I told her for a rescue group who is SO concerned over the well-being of animals, they seem to be concentrating more on the monetary value of Lil Eli. I told her that if it comes down to the almighty dollar, THEY owe ME $120 for the vet bills I had to pay for as well as months of fostering him and feeding him. She denied this and said she'd get back to me.

I am holding tight of Lil Eli. I love him so much and will NOT put him through any more than he's already been through. Let them take me to court, I don't care!! Lil Eli relies on me to make him safe and that is what I am doing.

[Cincy'sMom]

Bottom line is Eli belongs with you. However, it seems this group really wants to give you a hard time. I don't know if they would want to pursue legal action or not, but if they want, it could cost you a lot more then $120.

I would see someone face to face, show them the bills, and see if you can reach an agreeable adoption fee, or just let you keep him, based on your investment. If not, I hate to say it, but you may have to pay the $120. I know it stinks and it isn't fair, but Eli's hapiness is what is most important...and that is worth way more then $120!!

I hope it works out for you, without having to pay the money.

[carole]

Gosh Donna this really sucks, big time, I cannot believe their attitude, Of course you must fight nail and tooth to keep Eli, and I know that you will.

Can you get some free legal advice, just so you are 100 percent sure of your rights.

HANG ON there Donna , I am certain it would cost them heaps of money to pursue this too, and they are not about to do that, they are probably just bluffing and using scare tatics, in the hope you will release him and pay up. , I could use a few choice words for what I think of them , but I will refrain.

Take care and HUGS ,keeping you and Eli close in my thoughts and wishing a happy outcome.

[Vermontcat]

So this really is YOUR Lil Eli that I came across on Petfinder when I was looking for tuxies for Cataholic!
Here is the full listing for him, I thought it was a weird coincidence that someone else had an Eli that looked like yours.
Eli's Petfinder ad
I really think he belongs with you and I checked that option above.
I hope that you can keep him and your money too but if you have to give them the $45 to shut them up!
Eli is your cat and he belongs with you!

[trayi52]

You know it sounds like they are trying to charge you for the spaying fee, that you paid for out of your own pocket. I was just looking at the link from one of the other post, and that is what the are charging for a female that has already been altered, does that sound right? I am not familiar with HEADS, but that part I did read. Sound kind of strange to me. Afterall you have been out the funds to alter Eli yourself. Sorry, I probably don't know what I am talking about, it just sounds wrong that they are doing you this way.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Donna, I also think that Eli belongs with you and that you should confront them in person with all of your medical receipts. It's so sad to hear that some organizations seem to care more about collecting a lot of money per animal than the animals themselves. Good luck and please keep us updated.

[moosmom]

YES!!!! That's my baby!! Can't you tell that he's scared just by looking at the picture?? He was squirming around. ;(

Lil Eli isn't going anywhere. PERIOD!! He slept in my arms all last night, purring. If that isn't a furrrrever home, I don't know what is.

I'm taking the wait and see attitude. Right now I do not have the money to give them. My unemployment benefits haven't started yet. Before I DO hand them over any money, I want to see documentation of the supposed "vaccinations" they gave him as well as the health certificate. I WILL NOT be bullied!!

[Logan]

Isn't their whole goal to find homes for cats who need them? And haven't they accomplished that? I can only speak from my experience with Zipper, who we were fostering. But I was required to pay his adoption fee of $75 (it is less because he is considered to be a "senior" dog).

Surely, if you are reasonable, they will be. Explain your monetary issues and assure them that you will pay the $45, but since all the expenses have been yours to date, you feel it is unnecessary for them to charge you the $125 adoption fee.

He's been with you quite a while now, hasn't he?? They might need a reminder of that too!

Good luck.