A pair of nonprofits and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office wish to know who struck a pair of feral cats with what seems to be blow darts in Tavernier earlier this week.
Whiskers & Paws Forever of Monroe County’s Margie Schwartz has spent greater than twenty years spaying and neutering feral cats all through Monroe County. Her efforts are primarily targeted within the Upper Keys however she received’t say “no” to a cat in want of assist.
Such was the case final Monday, when Schwartz acquired a name concerning two cats that have been noticed close to a wooded space not removed from a Tavernier condominium with darts protruding of their our bodies. Six different sharp-pointed darts ranging totally different lengths have been additionally scattered on the bottom close to the cats.
Schwartz mentioned the caller was curious if the cats have been being tranquilized for spaying or neutering functions. Schwartz rapidly responded with an “absolutely not” and sprung into motion.
“This is definitely an abuse-type situation,” she mentioned. “As soon as we knew what happened, the police were called. It is a felony. Animal abuse is a felony.”
Schwartz mentioned Denise Rathmayr and Laurie Diaz have been in a position to safely and securely entice one of many cats on Wednesday. The black cat was transported to veterinarian Kyle Maddox at Keys Veterinary Hospital the place a 6-8-inch dart was faraway from its rear leg. The cat is now rehabbing at Schwartz’s Islamorada residence.
Schwartz mentioned they’re nonetheless making an attempt to soundly safe the opposite cat, black and white in shade, with a dart protruding from its again.
“The other cat has been seen and hasn’t passed away despite running around with a dart,” she mentioned. “If the darts would have hit a different spot the cats would have been killed.”
Schwartz added the cats have been beforehand spayed and neutered.
“It’s like adding insult to injury,” she mentioned.
Schwartz and Nicole Navarro, founding father of Pawsitive Beginnings Inc. in Key Largo, are at present working to supply a reward for any info resulting in the perpetrator’s arrest. Navarro mentioned she was horrified when studying concerning the heinous act of animal cruelty.
“As an organization whose mission is to raise awareness on respecting all animals, we are more than happy to come alongside Whiskers & Paws to help circulate this story in hopes that someone will come forward with information so the person(s) harming these cats can be stopped,” Navarro mentioned.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office mentioned they’re investigating the incident. Anyone with info is requested to name 305-853-3211.
As of Thursday afternoon, Whiskers & Paws raised $1,025 on its Facebook web page to go towards reward funds for anybody with info that results in the arrest of the perpetrator. Visit Whiskers & Paws Forever of Monroe County Facebook web page or whiskersandpawsforever.com for extra info.
