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.”
According to Domestic Animal Services, 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.
“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.
Gulf Coast News has reached out to Lee County to clarify what guidelines determine how long a pet must be held before it can be euthanized. We will update this story as soon as we receive a response.
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