When cats are threatened or killed due to cruel and lethal actions or policies, Alley Cat Allies fearlessly goes to court to defend them. Documents related to our ongoing and completed legal action on behalf of cats can be found here.
Puerto Rico
BACKGROUND
In late 2023, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) announced its intention to remove community cats living on federal lands in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico—a shocking and pointless scheme Alley Cat Allies is doing everything in our power to stop.
Along with continuing a dedicated and relentless legal battle on the cats’ behalf, Alley Cat Allies has met with key stakeholders in Puerto Rico and provided food, veterinary care, and other support to the community cats on the San Juan National Historic Site.
DOCUMENTS
On March 27, 2024, Alley Cat Allies filed a historic lawsuit against the NPS. This legal challenge aims to put an end to NPS’s cruel, futile, and unlawful plan to remove and kill cats on federal lands in Puerto Rico.
On August 19, 2024, Alley Cat Allies filed for a temporary restraining order and injunction against the NPS to halt its plan to remove and kill community cats living on the San Juan National Historic Site. This legal action was a direct response to the NPS fast-tracking its reckless and unlawful scheme. Our legal efforts and refusal to back down forced the NPS to agree to stop movement on its cruel plan to remove and kill the cats starting as early as October 1.
Read our Motion for Injunction
West Virginia
BACKGROUND
Alley Cat Allies is taking action after our in-depth investigation in Berkeley County, West Virginia, revealed that Berkeley County Animal Control intentionally, knowingly, and/or recklessly withheld critical veterinary treatment from animals in its shelter, causing extreme suffering and, in some cases, death.
Alley Cat Allies is seeking justice for the animals abused at the Berkeley County Animal Control shelter. We are focused on creating a humane animal control agency that adheres to laws and best practices, earns the trust of the community, and guarantees real protection for animals.
DOCUMENTS
On November 23, 2021, Alley Cat Allies presented to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia (the “Supreme Court” or “Court”) a Verified Petition for Writ of Mandamus against Berkeley County Animal Control (Case No. 21-096 2).
On March 3, 2022, Alley Cat Allies submitted a Verified Complaint for Writ of Mandamus (Case No. CC-02-2022-C-53) in the Circuit Court against Berkeley County Animal Control and the County Council of Berkeley County.
Ohio
BACKGROUND
In response to the cruelty case of Igor the kitten, Alley Cat Allies asked the Ohio Supreme Court to ensure the law protects both owned and unowned cats and set a precedent that animal cruelty against community cats is the same as animal cruelty against an owned cat. To that end, we filed an Amicus Curiae, or “Friend of the Court,” brief in support of the state in the case State v. Kyles.
In a unanimous decision, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled on October 23, 2024, that Ohio’s companion animal cruelty law (R.C. 959.131) protects all cats, including community cats who are unowned and live outdoors, as “companion animals.” Alley Cat Allies’ amicus brief helped inform the decision.
DOCUMENTS
Alley Cat Allies filed its amicus brief in support of the state in State v. Kyles on February 27, 2024.