June25DM

We stopped a shelter from killing cats for being too “feral”

In Summit County, Ohio, the local animal shelter was killing cats it deemed too “feral” — sometimes the same day they arrived. These cats weren’t evaluated or protected. Some were killed in violation of the shelter’s own outdated policy.

Through public records requests, Alley Cat Allies uncovered disturbing evidence: improper euthanasia methods, including underdosing or otherwise misusing euthanasia drugs.

“The Summit County Animal Control Department is a law enforcement entity meant to uphold the laws,” said DanaMarie Pannella, Alley Cat Allies attorney. “Instead, it is improperly and inhumanely ‘euthanizing’ animals and killing cats for simply being deemed ‘feral.’”

We filed a lawsuit in December 2024 to stop this cruelty. Now, thanks to your support, the shelter has ceased impounding and killing community cats.
Our lawsuit remains active. We continue to push for systemic change to protect cats — including reforms to recordkeeping, shelter practices, and public accountability.

This case is a powerful example of how your support helps us stand up to inhumane institutions — and win.

We’re taking historic legal action to protect Puerto Rico’s cats

In late 2023, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) announced a plan to remove and kill the community cats who live along the historic Paseo del Morro in Old San Juan — a beloved population of cats recognized by Puerto Ricans as part of their local history and culture.

Alley Cat Allies took immediate action. In March 2024, we filed a federal lawsuit to stop the NPS’s lethal plan and defend the cats’ right to live.

“Our protests in San Juan prove that Puerto Ricans strongly condemn the removal of their community’s cats, and so do compassionate people worldwide,” said Charlene Pedrolie, Alley Cat Allies’ president and chief operating officer. “Now, we are taking our fight even further.”

We’ve organized public demonstrations, launched a worldwide protest, and provided direct care for the cats on the ground, including food, veterinary treatment, and Trap-Neuter-Return support. And recently, we uncovered that the NPS falsely certified its administrative record as complete, omitting hundreds of public comments, including many from Puerto Ricans opposing the plan. This egregious failure by a federal agency only strengthens our legal case.

Our legal action forced the NPS to halt its plan — for now. We’ve also filed for a summary judgment in court. A ruling is expected soon. This is a fight not just for cats in Puerto Rico — but for how all community cats are treated under federal policy.

The Justice for Cats Fund in action: legal victories that protect cats

When Juliet the cat was violently attacked and killed, Alley Cat Allies took immediate action to support her case — and helped secure a felony conviction for her abuser.

This lifesaving advocacy was made possible by the Justice for Cats Fund, which powers our legal and policy work to protect cats and challenge cruelty wherever it occurs.

That conviction was only possible because of a legal precedent set just months earlier. The Ohio Supreme Court had ruled that all cats, including unowned community cats, are protected as “companion animals” under the state’s cruelty law — a ruling informed by an amicus brief filed by Alley Cat Allies.

This is a major victory for cats throughout Ohio, and ensures community cats are protected equally under animal cruelty laws,” said Charlene Pedrolie, president and chief operating officer of Alley Cat Allies.

Juliet’s attacker was convicted of cruelty to a companion animal, a fifth-degree felony. The defense attempted to avoid jail time and requested dismissal of the case twice — but with Alley Cat Allies’ help, justice prevailed. The judge called it “an extreme act of violence.” Because of this legal groundwork — and your support — Juliet’s life mattered in the eyes of the law.

Together, we’re building a future where cats are protected — by law.

Alley Cat Allies is the leader in the global movement to protect cats and kittens. Every day, we work to ensure that cats are treated with compassion, dignity, and legal protection — in communities, shelters, courtrooms, and legislatures across the country and around the world.

From ending deadly shelter policies in Summit County, Ohio … To defending Puerto Rico’s community cats from government-sanctioned cruelty … To securing justice for Juliet and more cat victims of cruelty …

The Justice for Cats Fund makes it all possible — and we need your help to keep it going.

Will you make a gift today to grow this fund and continue advancing humane laws and policies for cats?

Yes

Yes, and I'll give monthly to power legal action for cats year round.*

* For the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help make sure more cats like Juliet get justice.

June25DM

Join the Movement

Get the latest cat news, information, and ways to take action and save cats’ lives!

June25DM

Share this Page

Join the Movement

Get the latest cat news, information, and ways to take action and save cats’ lives!