No, the kitten that was rescued in Austintown didn’t have nine lives
No, the kitten that was rescued in Austintown didn’t have nine lives
On the evening of Oct. 21, the Austintown Fire Department (Wickliffe Station) with dedication, determination, and a lot of oil rescued a young cat from a storm sewer grate on Four Mile Run Road. Coverage by WKBN and WYTV showed cheering neighbors and everyone glad the cat still had eight of its nine lives. The oily little cat looks at the firemen as if to say “thank you” and is put in a milk crate to await help. But instead, a humane agent is summoned and compromises a happy ending.
We work at a firm located on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown. On Oct. 11, we discovered a kitten, hiding in our bushes looking quite malnourished and homeless. We fed our new friend on that day and those to follow. On the second day the menu included canned cat food, by the third day cat treats, and by the fourth day a 15-pound bag of food. There was talk of a straw-lined cat carrier for shelter. However, the cat never came to eat on that day or those after. So we called neighbors, and posted pictures on Craig’s List.
No news until a week later on Friday, Oct. 22, when we received e-mails informing us our cat had been on the news. Sure enough there was our lost cat, so we started contacting shelters for the exact location. The Mahoning County Dog Pound immediately returned our call stating they did not have the cat and told us to call Animal Charity. After several of us left numerous unanswered messages, one of us called back at 9:51 a.m. and asked if they could at least tell us if the cat was there. Eventually she was transferred to Valarie and was informed the cat was a female and they had determined she was suffering because of brain damage and was euthanized. A co-worker placed a call to Animal Charity at 10:33 a.m. asking how to receive a copy of the veterinarian’s report. Kyle informed her the cat was euthanized because of feline leukemia, the matter was private, not public, the case was closed. So why was our cat actually killed? If indeed the cat had brain damage why waste the time/expense on a leukemia test? After the first call, did the organization realize they had to give a more fatal, incurable cause of death? No matter what was true or fabricated, our cat was not coming back and they will answer to no one for their actions.
This one event may seem trivial in the great scheme of things and even in the minds of some individuals. The world will not grieve the death of this one little animal, as we do; but the injustice this organization seems to repeatedly pull off is of a greater threatening magnitude.
The sadness in our story is threefold, first for the young cat that is forever gone but could have had a home; second for the caring compassionate Austintown firemen who dedicated their time and talents, and third for those of us who cannot look out the window and see the beautiful little white and gray cat soaking up the sun. In any event it doesn’t change the sad outcome for a little cat that was rescued twice and then killed by the Humane Society.
Patty Kurth, Canfield
Darlene Kistler, Newton Falls
Boardman has reason to be proud
My granddaughter, Dan- ielle Taylor, is a student at Boardman High School. So that dictates I attend some of the functions in which she is involved. Recently I attended two functions at the Boardman High School. The first was their orchestra concert. It was a terrific performance by the orchestras and an added bonus of a laser light show was included. I have always been impressed with Boardman’s musical program and most especially by the tremendous support they are given.
The other function was their Witch Walk. It was just plain fun and the kids did a great job with their make up and scaring those who attended.
We hear about the bad things done by a minority of kids. The majority of kids are good kids and we just don’t hear enough about them and their accomplishments, their plus to society. Boardman can be proud of these kids, who are so busy with school and also with extra curricular activities. Great job, kids.
Gail Taylor, New Springfield