Justice for me

This is what my owner wrote on the day I was murdered:
I would like to share this story with you that happened to me last week.
If you are an animal lover, be prepared to cry.

This is what I have sent to local media outlets (I was on RadioNow 100.9
this morning and the Daily Journal will be printing a story tomorrow):

"Written 6/18/2009: I have had animals all of my life. I have always been
a "good" pet owner. Always getting my pets spayed or neutered, always
getting them their shots, always taking them to vet checks. I have two
dogs (Boxers) , a Russian tortoise, and a goldfish...and I DID have a cat.
My cat, Frankie, was a beautiful rare combination of colors. He was 1/2
Siamese with white tabby markings and the most beautiful blue eyes you
have ever seen (hence his name--from Frank Sinatra, ol' blue eyes
himself). He was a sweet, wonderful cat. My son, 2 years old, enjoyed him
dearly and called him his own and his best friend. Everything was great
with Frankie, that is, until he came under the care of the Johnson County
Animal Control.

Frankie slipped out of the house for the first time yesterday morning.
Being an indoors-only cat, he was declawed and was not microchipped. He
had somehow gotten out of his collar as well before escaping. As soon as
I noticed he was missing, I went with a picture of him to every neighbor
I saw outside. One neighbor said that they had most definitely seen him
and that they had called animal control thinking that it would be the
best way to find an owner. It was after hours, so I called this morning
to see if they had indeed picked up a cat from my street. They confirmed
that they had. I went to the office this morning and was told that my cat
was not there and that the cat picked up did not meet his description,
but was black and tan. So, I went back to the neighbor to show them the
photo one more time. Again, she confirmed that my cat was the one animal
control had picked up. I had her speak with animal control on the phone
so that they heard it directly from her. Still, they insisted that it was
a black and tan cat, not mine.

I decided that something wasn't quite adding up and that maybe I should go
there again. And, I did. This time I demanded to see the record of the cat
that was picked up and to see the cat itself as well. They said that the
cat they picked up was deemed a feral cat and that it was put down this
morning. So, I demanded to see the cat. Sure enough, it was a black and
tan tabby. I figured there must have been a mistake on my neighbor's part
and that Frankie was still out roaming somewhere. So, I went back to the
search in the neighborhood.

A little while later, I receive a phone call from the warden. He informs
me that there was a mistake and that the wrong paperwork ended up with
Frankie and that they were "so sorry" but they put him down this morning
by accident. He was in their care for less than 24 hours. According to
policy, he was to be held for 5 days in order for his owner (a 2 year old
boy) to claim him. But, instead, he was murdered in less than a day with
no possible chance to be saved.

I want to make it my mission to ensure that this does not ever happen to
another family. This was my family member and he was murdered. This was my
son's best friend. Now I have to try and explain to a two year old that
his best friend is never coming back. He has been asking for him every
five minutes and he is not coming back. There is nothing they can do to
bring him back.

The warden offered any animal up for adoption to me, but that just isn't
going to fill the void left by this loss. He is taking Frankie's body up
to Pet Angels and having him cremated for me with an urn. I appreciate his
honesty and respect his courage for standing up and taking responsibility.
However, this is a horrible mistake that cannot be mended that easily. My
son is devastated.

Something needs to change and fast. Innocent animals are being murdered.
Who knows how many missing animals have ended up there with no chance for
being claimed? It's utterly disgusting.

I want this publicized and I want something to happen. Something needs to
happen. Animals do not deserve to be slaughtered like this and families
(especially two year old children) do not deserve to hurt like this. This
was preventable and needs to not happen ever again."

I would like to start a service project and collect items that the shelter
is is need of having. Retaliation by suing or other legal cases against
Animal Control is not going to help the problem, but rather hurt more
animals. In Frankie's honor, I would like to help the shelter. They need:
puppy and dog food, kitten and cat food, blankets, towels, bleach, paper
towels, cleaning supplies, non-clumping cat litter, and monetary
donations. Everything happens for a reason and I believe that this
happened to me as a call to action. Out of tragedy will come hope. I will
make sure of it.

My owner will be at the Wal-Mart in Greenwood (by Interstate 65 exit 101) on Tuesday, June 30th at 12pm at the end of the parking lot facing County Line Road to pick up donations to the shelter.