The story of Max and Jack, two cats that disappeared from their downtown Fullerton neighborhood, is downright disturbing. The beloved family pets were indeed catnapped by a disgruntled neighbor.
The cats’ owner, Leanora, wrote today that her neighbor admitted she had in fact taken the cats. Here’s what Lea wrote Pet Tales:
“Tonight I was approached by my neighbor who repeatedly denied she did anything or knew anything about our two beautiful cats missing. As you know, they went missing on 8/31 and she was witnessed placing an animal cage in the back of her car on 9/1.
She denied that to us and to the police. Well, she knew we were on to her and decided to clear her conscious. She told me she took one of the cats (Max) to the Pomona Humane Society on 9/1.
Read the first story from Lea, when her cats went missing. She said my cat, Jack (the black cat), jumped out of her car on 9/1 on Brea Canyon Road; she’s not sure if that’s Pomona or Ontario, and I’m not familiar with the area.
It has been two emotional weeks.
I’ve been to the O.C. shelter everyday — sometimes twice. My Jack is either dead or who knows. I’ve posted another picture in case anyone has seen or can forward to friends in that area. I would appreciate it. We are going to the Pomona shelter hoping to find Max tomorrow.”
*Updated! Max has been found at the Pomona Humane Society. Here’s the dispatch from Lea:
Max has been rescued! They said that we were lucky because Max’s days were up. They usually only keep them 4 days. They thought he was 8 years old. He’s only 2 1/2 - remember - a big cat 18 -20 lbs. So the description at the shelters is not always correct.
Lea told Pet Tales she privately believes the neighbor “made up” the story of Jack’s escape on Brea Canyon Road and that he was likely euthanized at the Pomona shelter. A shelter assistant told Lea the facility puts down up to 30 cats per day.
She has pursued a report with the Fullerton police, which have classified the catnapping as petty theft. This, of course, has Lea outraged.
Here’s background from our first story with Lea:
OCAC’s interim director, Ryan Drabek, confirmed that property owners do have the right to hold an animal that roams onto their property. The law requires the trapped animal be reported to animal control within 24 hours.
Drabek said it’s important for pet owners to keep their animals from becoming a nuisance to others.
“Ultimately, this is about people being responsible for their pets,” he said.
Click here to read the county ordinances pertaining to trapping stray animals on private property.
The situation, whatever the case might be in Fullerton, is a good reminder to owners to get pets tagged and chipped. Cats that become a nuisance should be kept indoors or in a restricted area outside, such as a cat run.
Licensing a cat is an option but is not required by law in Orange County. You can buy or renew a pet’s license online at the shelter’s Web site.
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