Two weeks ago at a shelter in Berks County, Pennsyvlania, a former shelter worker euthanized a pet cat without following proper protocol. Violet was a 1 1/2 yr. old beloved pet cat belonging to Tiffany Wegman and her family. Violet had gone missing but was taken to this shelter. Within four hours of her arrival, Violet was deceased.
Violet (l)
photo/Tiffany Wegman
What went wrong? Why doesn’t Pennsylvania have laws to protect cats in shelters? Why are there no “holding period” times for cat but they have them for dogs? Can this shelter be sued for euthanizing a pet which is considered property in the state of Pennsylvania? What can this shelter do to make sure this never happens again?
Join me as I have Tiffany Wegman, Violet’s “mom” and David Rosengard, Staff Attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund on tomorrow’s show at 6:30 PM to discuss these topics. We will also remember Violet in photos.
Tune in at 6:30 PM (live, EST) Ch. 15 (Comcast) Ch. 21 (Service Electric). Can’t see the show in your area? Streamline the show live over the internet by clicking on this link.
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer and is an unabashed animal advocate. Her love for animals and quest for the hard truth is what drives her passion for all things animals. She hosts the show, ” A Close-Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” She adores her once-abused tripawd, Brody. If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues and check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com for all the tv shows, articles, and podcasts you may have missed!
Can’t this family sue for what happened to their cat? I think they would have a good case. There’s no good reason to euthanize the cat within hours in a shelter. You can’t tell the real personality of an animal with in that short period of time.
People have sued for the loss of their pets in similar cases. The circumstances surrounding each case and the state where it occurred can create different outcomes. Legally, the ARL did nothing wrong but they did create undue emotional distress for the family. I haven’t heard anything about the Wegman’s intentions. So far, nothing has been said.
I agree that a cat shouldn’t be euthanized within hours of having possession of the cat.
Thank you.
It’s called “Mandatory Stay” Which they do not do. . Also it’s an “open shelter” soooooo that’s another issue, you cannot kill unless you need space, grave illness & over aggressive behaviour. So why did this ex employee take it upon herself to put the cat down? Was there a vet tech there, shelter mgr, behaviorist????
. The “interm director” background is with Resident Assisted Living Home…
And their blog is grossly incorrect, there are No Kill shelters.
The shelter is referred to as an open admission shelter which means the same thing you have written.
Sarah,
No one knows why this ex-employee took it upon herself to euthanize this collared, pet cat. It allegedly happened late at night. The story doesn’t quite add up for me.
Since no details are coming forth from the shelter, Tiffany Wegman, her family are left to speculate about what happened.
Thanks for the info provided. Let’s hope the truth cones out and let’s hope this never happens again! But, first we need to see their policies regarding euthanization.
What do you mean they don’t do “mandatory stay” ? For dogs they have to by law but there is no law for cats ?.
There is no mandatory stay or “holding period” time for cats in Pennsylvania shelters. There is no law protecting cats in PA shelters which needs to change.
There are holding period times for dogs in the same shelters- you are correct, Mary.
Thanks!