There is already an ugly rumor floating around that if the former owners of the Tiger Ranch cats do not claim them at the Clarion Shelter by WEDNESDAY, they will be euthanized.

I certainly HOPE that is only an ugly rumor.

I simply cannot fathom that PSPCA would spend $500,000 taking care of all those cats (approximately 250 of them), to keep them alive as “evidence” for 16 months… only to murder them 48 hours* after their usefulness as “evidence” expired.

What about using that good old PSPCA Public Relations machine for some good? For the sake of the ANIMALS? (Because remember — this whole case was purportedly about “saving the cats”!)

How about putting out a plea to the public to let them know that the Tiger Ranch cats are FINALLY available for for adoption? Or reaching out to other rescues and shelters to each take a few? There have to be other rescue groups who would be willing to each take a few of these poor cats who have suffered through so much, for so long. And I’m sure there are a number of kind souls who would welcome a new furry friend into their home.

KILLING IS NOT RESCUING.

Please, please give them a chance.

Will keep y’all posted as the news unfolds…

Oh, and if anybody at PSPCA wants to contact me to confirm or deny this lovely rumor, it’s madras[at]tortiball.com. Or just use the “Contact” page on this site. I know you are reading… and I know you know how.

Because seriously, y’all are going to have an ugly PR mess on your hands if you kill these cats now.

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[UPDATE 1]

Monday, June 13, 17:00

* I am now hearing reports through the grapevine that the deadline is “next Wednesday” (as in, July 22) as opposed to “this Wednesday” (as in July 15).

Still not good enough, without a full fledged effort to GET THOSE CATS INTO HOMES or into OTHER ESTABLISHED RESCUE GROUPS that are willing and able to take them.

Attention Sue Cosby: You really want to support the No Kill Movement, as you have stated in recent interviews? And undo the tangled web of evil woven by your predecessor Nelson? It’s about cooperation and collaboration. It’s about FINDING HOMES for the cats. And not about killing “evidence” that is no longer needed.

And what about the other animals? The dogs, horses, chickens, and goat? What is to become of them?

It is time to walk your walk, PSPCA, not just talk your talk.

If the Tiger Ranch was really about “rescue” — and not about grabbing good footage for “Animal Cops: Philadelphia,” and/or raking in donations — then make a REAL EFFORT to place the cats and all the other animals into HOMES and other appropriate living situations where they can live out the rest of their lives in peace.

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[UPDATE 2]

Monday, June 13, 21:00

More grapevine news… seems to be shaking out that “former owners of Tiger Ranch cats have until Wednesday the 22nd to claim cats that they left at Tiger Ranch.” Actual disposition of remaining cats after that time remains uncertain — possibly euthanasia, possibly released for adoption at that time.

Again, this is all coming to me through the “rumor mill” and is UNCONFIRMED. I’m just passing it along what I hear, when I hear it.

Still no news on PSPCA’s website, as of 21:00 today.

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[UPDATE 3]

Tuesday, June 14, 10:00

Confirmed news from a reliable source as to disposition of Tiger Ranch cats. (At the moment, this is all I have in the “absolutely confirmed” category.)

Folks that can prove they owned an animal at Tiger Ranch, like a photo, rabies certificate, vet record, will be able to claim them.  Please email Matt Collins at mcc@crhlegal.com