LEE COUNTY, Fla. – A heartbroken pet owner is demanding change after her cat, Kevin, was euthanized less than two hours after arriving at the Lee County Domestic Animal Services shelter.
Angela Tardiff, Kevin’s owner, said the cat slipped out of the house last week. She began searching immediately and contacted the shelter, but staff initially told her Kevin wasn’t there. Later, she discovered that he had already been put down.
“He was part of our family. He had one eye and was unique,” Tardiff said. “He grew up with our dogs and with us.”
Tardiff believes Kevin’s eye defect led staff to judge him as unfit for adoption. “They decided he wasn’t worth saving, and they killed him,” she said.
A neighbor had found Kevin and brought him to the shelter, where he was euthanized shortly after arrival. Under current Lee County policy, stray animals without microchips or licenses can be euthanized immediately. In contrast, those with identification are held for five days.
“The ordinance says unchipped animals should get the best possible outcome,” Tardiff said. “What happened to Kevin wasn’t that. A vet didn’t even examine him.”
Assistant County Manager Marc Mora confirmed the zero-day hold policy. “If an animal is unchipped or unlicensed, it can be euthanized the same day. That’s how the ordinance stands,” he explained.
Mora added that the county is reviewing its procedures. “Capacity is a concern, but it’s not the main reason for euthanizing an animal,” he said. “Still, it’s something we need to look at when considering policy changes.”
Since April 1, 700 cats have entered the shelter. Of those, 130 are currently housed, and 90 were euthanized last month alone, according to WINK News.
As the investigation continues, Tardiff remains focused on pushing for reform. She hopes Kevin’s story will lead to changes that protect other pets in the future.
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