What began as a frantic search for a missing cat ended in heartbreak for Angela Tardif, whose 4-year-old feline, Kevin, was euthanized just hours after being dropped off at Lee County Domestic Animal Services.
“We didn’t even notice that he was missing until Thursday afternoon,” Tardif said.
Kevin, an indoor cat, had somehow slipped out unnoticed. A neighbor later found him and brought him to the shelter. Tardif said she rushed there Friday, hopeful she’d be bringing him home.
“I brought his cage. I had his blanket in there,” she said. “Thinking I was bringing him home.”
But by the time she arrived, Kevin had already been euthanized.
“I was shocked because he was perfectly healthy,” she said. “So I thought, maybe there was something wrong with him, maybe he was injured.”
Tardif said Kevin was put down two hours after being dropped off. The agency said there was no way to identify him. They noted he had a damaged eye and matted fur — conditions Tardif says were from injuries he suffered as a kitten. Documents show that the cat was neutered.
“I’ve raised him since he was 2 weeks old,” she said. “Now she’s [our other cat] walking around meowing, looking for him. It’s just heartbreaking all around. My kids miss him. It’s terrible.”
Kevin was not microchipped, but Angela believes it shouldn’t have led to his death.
“I shouldn’t have to fear for my animal’s life because they don’t have a microchip in them,” she said.
Lee County Animal Domestic Services says microchips are essential in helping return lost pets to their homes. They are always available. The microchip allows animal services to identify the owner through the chip registration and attempt to contact them. Scanning for a chip is one of the first things animal services does when taking in an animal. Cats (and dogs) with identification have a five-day hold period.
According to Lee County Domestic Services' website, all microchipped pets or pets with identification will be held for a five day period to give the owner time to claim. Dogs found without a microchip or identification will be held for a three day period. Cats without identification do not have a hold period.
They immediately become property of animal services and may be adopted, transferred to another agency, or humanely euthanized if deemed unadoptable.