Dear heavens above.

I will certainly send up the strongest thoughts and hopes that those poor wee cat souls find some kinder form of Sancutary. And that child will learn the lesson that life in a home or a heart is temporary and easily dumped. Cruel for her too.

Pray hard. Hope.

Jan

You could go to the shelter and ask if this woman showed up with the cats. You did your best to try and make her do the right thing. If she dumped the cats, she will have to answer to God for that big sin. Even if the law does not catch the wrongdoers, they cannot hide from God who sees everything. I feel sorry for her kids - what kind of example is this woman showing? They may actually harbor a long term anger towards their mother for her stupid evil behavior. And if she does this, what other evil is she capable of?

You just shake your head and want to cry.

I think you did what you could; don't feel bad, you tried.
This is so heartbreaking to witness.

Don't kick yourself over this. It's hard to be lucid enough in the emotion of the moment to be able to know the exact right thing to do and to follow through with it. I think you should be proud of yourself for doing what you did, which is probably more than what most would.

It's not an easy thing to confront a stranger like that, and someone who would dump cats in the park could just have easily turned on you in a violent or otherwise abusive way.

Since her daughter was in the car, and she promised to you that she would take them to the Humane Society, I would tend to believe that she did the right thing.

I congratulate you for stepping up!

auntjen,
For the last two years I've run a program at our local elementary where I have our local no kill shelter come in and educate the kids. In preparation, the kids also raise a few hundred dollars, which is always desperately needed. I figure there are 700 beautiful little souls there, some of whom are getting messages like this at home. If we can get to them every year, for six years by the time they're out of the school, they may at least be responsible pet owners in the future. And who knows, some of them may take the message home.

Gosh, jen, that is upsetting. But please don't beat up on yourself. Just going up to the woman and speaking to her is more than many would have done. I'm sure you handled well, too, in your usual auntjen fashion.

Our area has programs for free or reduced-fee spaying & neutering. Lets hope the woman took the cats to a shelter and someone there told her about a similar program in your locale.

Jen, you did everything you could.

Don't assume the worst. My youngest pup was dumped.

Jen - I'm sorry to hear this took place. You shouldn't beat yourself of over this. We always later rethink situations and how we would've handled them differently, said different things,etc. Since you said the women was distraught I would imagine she felt even worse after someone called her out on it. Hopefully she really thought about your words and did the "better" thing. She probably was just telling herself someone would find them at the park and deal with it.

Bestyears - That program is a great idea! I think it's very important for things to make an impression on children when they're younger.

Paint Chips - Cute dog!

Sooo many kittens right now... so many animals in general need homes. It breaks my heart.

:::::BRAVO JEN::::: You did way more than most people. I'm not sure I would have the courage to confront someone. You did an awesome job and hopefully your words stuck with her and she found the shelter. Way to go Jen!

Lindy

Thank you all so much for making me feel better about how this all went down. DH told me that he couldn't believe I actually marched myself across the street and confronted the woman - and neither can I, really. My behavior really goes against my normal tendency, which would be to hang back and not be confrontational, but I swear - when I saw those little cats being systematically removed from the car and placed into the grass, something inside of me just snapped. This was NOT going to happen! I think I was having flashbacks of my idiot neighbor abandoning his pregnant cat, and the way that she brought all of her babies to us when they were a few weeks old, and then we had to deal with them. I didn't want to live through that again.

Anyway ... I know that I could call the shelter and inquire as to whether a woman brought in a group of cats on Saturday, but honestly, part of me just doesn't want to really know for sure. Part of me wants to keep hold of the hope that she really did do the right thing. If I learn she didn't, then I can probably place a bet on the fact that she dumped them elsewhere. And that, I just really don't want to know.
:-(

You have her license plate so if she didn't bring them to the shelter that means she dumped them at another park somewhere. You could check out a few parks nearby just in case they're there.

I'd still report her. Maybe the humane society can send someone out to her house and have a little chat with her and ask her to tell them where she left these cats sot hey can rescue them. You should be proud of yourself for confronting her and educating that ignoramous on what not to do. I can't believe the logic of these pea brained types. Hopefully the daughter will think about what you said and give her mother flack for doing this.

I wouldn't let this go if I were you or it may haunt you forever not knowing. Don't stop now, you did a wonderful thing,but I think you need closure on this. Wishing it away doesn't always work when deep down you know it might not have the outcome you want.

My sister usd to live in an apartment complex in a rural area of CA. There was an empty field next to it. She told me once that the father used to drag his little girl way out into the field every now and then to do who knows what to her. He was a drunk and a wife beater. Rather than protect her children at all cost the wife let him abuse her daughter as well as herself. My sister was convinced he was molesting his daughter out in the field. I was horrified when I heard this and asked, "I hope called the police?". No she said, She didn't want to get involved, after all she had to live next door to this monster and he might go after her next. That was 25 years ago and I still can't forget it as much as I'd like to, everyone looked the other way because they didn't want to deal with it or accept the worst may be happening.

I'd follow up on it also. I got one of my cats from the SPCA that was set up outside the supermarket. There were two kitties there, one was about four and the other a kitten, maybe 12 weeks. The four-year-old had a sign on his cage 'My time is almost up.' Already having four cats, I simply remembered his situation and kept checking on him. He still had not been adopted over the next day or so, so I took him in. Then many years later, I learned how difficult it is for black kitties to be placed -- because people are superstitious! I was utterly floored and asked around a bit. Yes, the pound had 12 in the back, it's tough for them. To this day, I remember that little kitten standing there in the cage, looking so hot and sad, bit of a runny eye. His little face and the memory of him still haunts me. I always thought he'd be just fine because he was a kitten :(( One of my cats looks just like him and it sometimes breaks my heart when I look at him, because I remember the kitten and that could have happened to my little guy, too.

I would follow up for their sake. Maybe there are some rescues who could take them or vet offices, who often adopt out kittens. Even a barn, if need be. A home search could be done while there, while mousing in the interim. Or it could be their forever home.

I actually found a home for a one-eyed dog that was hit and run. Found the owners who later called to tell me they dropped him at the pound, in case I wanted him (they were too grossed out). I kept an eye on him there and the SPCA told me he would never find a home and it would be best to just euthanize him. He ended up living my dream on a really beautiful farm out in the country. Big family and lots of brothers and sisters. Pampered pooch! You just never know. It takes work but is so worth it.

Oh, I forgot the part about the vet who let him stay at their facility until a home was found for him! They had treated him, after he was hit. Amazingly, it only took a couple of weeks to find him a home.

That would get me so depressed. :( Good for you, for trying.

We adopted a black cat. He is also huge, and not a kitten -- two more strikes against him. He looks scary, but he's a sweetheart.

Harriet, how beautiful that boy is! I remember your heartbreak of not so long ago. So this is your new kid? Adopted as an older kitty? He looks a bit like mine, except my guy is slight in build. He also looks like he's in love, lol! Where did you find him? Older cats make for great adoptions.

squirrel, thanks for remembering. Yes, we adopted him about a year and a half ago from a shelter. DH was smitten with him, and we felt so sorry for him being crammed into a little cage. We also adopted a girl from another shelter at the same time; I was worried about how they would get along, but they are both so gentle that there hasn't been a problem. They've been a lot of fun. (They are both probably 7 or 8 years old.)

The girl:

Enjoying the porch together:

[end of hijack]

She's beautiful. I love orange ices. I'm so happy for them.

: ) So happy, together!

OK ... I just called the Humane Society, and left my name, number and message with the department that investigates animal abuse and neglect. Hopefully they'll call me back and I can relay all of the information that I have. You guys are right - it is their job to take care of stuff like this, so I'll tell them what I know and let them handle it as they see fit.

I think you did the right thing. They need to know and handle it. That's why they're there. Hopefully these irresponsible people will not do those types of things again -- including not spaying their animals! There are community programs to help with the cost of that, if they have any other pets. If you don't hear back, you could always follow it up with a letter with the information.

In the old days, people used to take them down to the river in a sack : ((

One really has to wonder.

Way to go, Jen. You did the right thing--twice.

The world needs more people like you!

Oh, heaven help me! After I obtained the contact info for the Humane Society and called and left my message, I went back to the site and thought I'd peruse their available animals, just for grins. And now I am hopelessly smitten with Elvis! Just look at this little guy - especially the bottom photo. Is he an absolute doll, or what?

I need another cat like I need a hole in the head. In other words, not at ALL. I have too many as it is. But OMG ... he is beyond precious!

Here is a link that might be useful: Elvis

OMG Elvis is adorable!!! Glad you followed up with the Humane Society.

Just ... step ... away ... from ... the ... computer ... :)

Oh, geez - Im not even a cat person and I'd adopt that thing in a heartbeat! What a face! Jen you always approach life from your heart and yours is in a good place so don't beat yourself up - ya done good.

About the black cats not being adopted - are you guys serious? People really adopt them less because of the black cat superstition? I can't even imagine.

Elvis unquestionably tugged at my heart, so I sent DH the link to his profile, fully expecting him to email me back with something along the lines of, "Another cat? Have you lost your freakin' MIND, woman?!?" Instead, he surprised me by responding, "He's so cute! Go get him!" Soooooooo -- I called the shelter and inquired after him, only to learn that he and his siblings were adopted a couple of days ago.

I'm relieved ... I didn't need another cat, like I said -- but I'm also quite disappointed. I just flat-out wanted him to be mine. I told the woman I spoke to that I hoped he'd gone to a very good home, and she said, "Ohhhhhh, yes! He certainly did - we made sure of that!"

I'm glad.
But I'm sad.
::sigh::

Isn't that unreal? Yes, I've been asking around for years now, since hearing that, and they do have a problem getting adopted. I suppose it could be a regional thing. The shelters won't let them go (or any cats, I think) around Halloween, either, because there are people out there who do bad things to them. That's when they're in demand. I hold my guy even tighter when I think of that.

Just for the record, mine has brought me nothing but love and joy : ) Well, maybe not enTirely! as that mischievous young boy used to chase my little girl mercilessly when she was still with us. He's not too good with the girls, but my other female eventually fell in love him, anyway. I guess she likes those Bad boys, lol.

He's draped across my chest right now : )

I have had two black cats. They are my favorite cats. Years ago when I was going to a cat web site - don't remember which one - there was a guy whose black cat was at least 29 years old. I think both the owner and cat died within a few months of each other.

I hope the lady did the right thing.

Update: I finally heard back from someone at the Humane Society via email. At least they're going to look into it.

Dear Jenifer,
Thank you for contacting us regarding the cats. I really have no way to tell if she brought the animals to us or not because without her name I cant track it down. We are open 7 days a week and average getting 50-100 animals that come through our doors daily. Since it is kitten season we receive about 25-50 cats daily so I can only hope she brought them to us. I sent your report to one of our cruelty officers and she will look into the situation. Thank you again for caring for the animals because so many people just do not care what happens to them.

Auntjen,

You are an angel. It's HARD to go against your grain if you don't usually step up. Good on you for doing so.