Prince Albert woman shares horrific pet-homing experience

by Nigel Maxwell

WARNING: This story contains details of serious abuse of an animal. Some readers may find the information disturbing.

A Prince Albert woman is offering some cautionary words to people who are selling or giving away pets online – do your homework and find out exactly who you are giving them to.

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The woman, who spoke to paNOW, and asked to remain anonymous, said she recently gave away a small kitten only to find out days later it had been badly abused. Due to the extent of the injures, the kitten was euthanized.

To protect the woman’s identity, paNOW will identify her as “Joan.”

Earlier this month, the mother cat owned by Joan gave birth to a litter, and like she’s done in the past with no previous issues, Joan proceeded to try and find homes for the tiny, 10-week-old felines. The kitten in question was the last to be given away, and Joan recalled conversations she had with an interested party that lasted several days.

After receiving word the man had all the supplies ready, Joan then offered to drive the small cat over. Upon arriving, she said she realized she recognized the residence, having dropped off her former partner there many times before.

But soon after dropping the animal off, Joan said she was contacted by people she knew who advised her the man should not have cats. Another day went by before Joan received a phone call that she said still haunts her.

“He called me frantically through Facebook, saying ‘You should come pick up this kitten. It looks like it’s dying,’” she said.

Upon reaching the house, the small kitten, which was now wrapped in a towel, appeared lifeless and cold. The man entrusted to care for it was not home, and Joan said she immediately noted the cat’s fur had been cut.

“And you could tell it was done by scissors,” she said.

After returning to her own home and taking a closer look at the cat, Joan said she noticed small cuts where the scissors had been used and said there were also signs of sexual abuse.

“The only thing that crossed my mind was some sort of foreign object was inserted,” she said.

Police were called soon after and, in addition to examining the residence, also interviewed the man. Through a statement provided to paNOW, the police confirmed receiving a report regarding cruelty to an animal.

“Due to the deteriorating condition of the animal, steps were taken to euthanize the animal because it was the most humane thing to do,” the police service said.

“The investigation did not allow for an opportunity to hold someone accountable; however, if additional information is obtained please contact police immediately at 306-953-4222 so it can be added to the file.”

Following his statement to police, Joan said the man fled and has not been seen since.

“To me that seems a little suspicious itself, you know,” Joan noted.

Going forward, Joan said she has resolved to never again re-home any animals and to have the mother cat spayed. But she is also wondering how many other animals the man may have hurt.

“Based on the comments on Facebook, it looks like he’s gotten animals from that page before and like, oh my goodness, I don’t know how many he’s done this to,” she said.

The manager of the Prince Albert SPCA was not available for comment on Thursday, but the provincial organization, through its website, encourages all pet owners to have their animals spayed or neutered.