I do not understand how someone can abandon an animal - it's beyond my comprehension - especially an animal unable to protect itself and gather food (she was declawed).  A few weeks ago, I posted about this kitty, who was abandoned and who decided to adopt me.  However, I could not give her a home.  I called animal services to pick her up but that was unsuccessful.  The Animal Control Officer said he would be back that afternoon with a live trap.  That did not happen.  Days then weeks went by with no trap and no response to follow-up phone calls.  She is a beautiful cat and very loving, but when she feels threatened, whether justified or not, she bit me several times.  However, I came to the conclusion she cannot protect herself any other way. 

I continued to feed her because I could not stand to see her starve.  I continued to pet her because all she wanted was love.  It nearly ripped my heart out when she hid in my garage at night to be safe from other cats in the neighborhood.  

When the nights began to cool, I knew I needed to find her a home.  I asked everyone I could think of if they wanted her but alas, they did not or could not take her.  With a heavy heart, I decided I needed to take her to the animal shelter where she can be adopted.  I tried one last time to contact the North Ogden Animal Control Officer but he is out of the office for several weeks  They did not have anyone filling in for him and they told me to take her to the Ogden Animal Shelter. 

I put her in Ashley's old carrier and put her in my car and cried the whole way.  When I arrived, 15 minutes later, I was still quite emotional and angry that I had to do this.  The workers at the shelter told me it was a $25 fine to bring a cat in since I live in North Ogden - not Ogden.  I refused.  She was not my cat and I do not believe I should pay for someone else's heartlessness.  I also refused to take her back home.  We had a problem.

One of the workers called North Ogden City and spoke with the ASSistant Chief (of Police) Kevin Warren.  He asked to speak to me on the phone and I explained my position and gave him details of how many times I called North Ogden City to have her picked up.  Here I was, doing THEIR job.  He told me, and I quote, "You trapped the cat, so it's your problem."  I dropped the phone on the desk (oops) and said, "That's our tax dollars hard at work," as the worker said good-bye to the officer.   By then, I was livid, which isn't a good thing because when I'm emotional, the anger turns me into a blubbering idiot. 

The workers were so nice and they were as frustrated as I was because they too hate it when irresponsible people who have no scruples and morals abandon an animal.   

When I returned home, I wrote a 1.5 page letter to North Ogden City and all the officials, to tell my story and express my disgust for their lack of help, especially those words by ASSt. Chief Kevin Warren.  His words and tone will ring in my ears forever.   

As I was talking to Vickie about it on the phone one day, she suggested writing a letter to the editor.  Brilliant, Vickie!  :-D  I did so and I got a call three days after I submitted it, to tell me that it was accepted.  It appeared in yesterday's paper (click to EMBIGGEN).

Over the weekend, I received a letter from the North Ogden City Administrator, whom the Mayor asked to respond to me.  The gentleman agreed that there is a problem with strays and he thanked me for my letter (I bet it made his day!).  He said he would address the situation with ASSistant Chief Kevin Warren and Jerry Wade, the Animal Control Officer (when he returns).  Who knows - perhaps something will come out of it, even if it makes the ASSt Chief Kevin Warren think about how he treats others.  

As for the kitty, I gave her to my sister, who lives in Ogden.  She ended up taking her to the shelter because she got bit trying to get her out of the carrier.  Since she lives in Ogden, she did not get fined.  The workers at the shelter didn't think they'd have any trouble finding her a home, especially since she was declawed and fixed.  They said she would make an excellent companion to someone who had time to work with her on the biting issue.  Since she was abandoned, they said it's normal for a cat to turn feral quickly out of self-preservation, but she is definitely domesticated. 

If the ASSistant Chief Kevin Warren happens to read this, I want to express again how grateful I am for him and his courteous and respectful assistance.  He certainly has reinforced my view of police and how they help citizens.  Bravo, ASSt Chief Warren, what a job well done.