Remember my kitty napping story? My Murphy was kidnapped for 8 days and came home neutered. Well...a big story in the local paper today answers my mystery.

Seems there is a Motor Home driving around town picking up animals and fixing them for "free"...then they release them. It's supposed to be a 'service' to the community.

I call it audacity! They should not do this without the owners permission...JMHO.

They shouldn't do it without permission. Do they do this to all cats and dogs they find? Your poor kitty!!

Wasnt Murphy not...healing...correctly?? Wasnt he infected when he came home???

I think you should see if the cops could charge those people with damaging your "property".

Poor Murph! How is he doing now?

GJ - I still am sorry that Murphy went through that as well as you. At least now you know the answer to the mystery. I hope that some serious consequences will have to be paid to these people.

They do fix and release around here too. I was wondering if that's what had happened to your cat. I'm sure they figured he was a stray when they did that, but our authorities are allowed to snag any and all cats for this program, as I hear it.

Reason being, if your cat is out there, it can mate with the strays too.

And no, they don't do dogs. Dogs go to the shelter and are euthanized - so you tell me, what's worse? Whether they belong to somebody or not, they get 3 days.

They don't bring cats to the shelter because there are far too many to bring in, and nowhere to house them.

It's all very sad I think.

Not only can it mate with the strays it can pick up whatever diseases the strays have.

The animal population is grossly overpopulated. Far too many cats and dogs alike are put down everyday....when all it would take is to spay and neuter. It's just the responsible thing to do for your pet and the animal population in general.

Not to mention, they are less likely to stray, get in fights, or get certain diseases like reproductive cancers.

Yep Brain, that's how the story read. They don't do dogs, just cats. I guess last year they put down 1500 cats in Anchorage. I had no idea!! I admit to being late in getting Murphy fixed (I was poor) but the way it happened was very traumatic. Murphy is doing great now and is all healed. He has a collar now with his name, address and phone number. It wouldn't surprise anyone to know that he stays close to home now It all worked out for the best I suppose. I believe its the City doing this, so it's legal.

I remember that! Well at least you know who did it. I'm sure it doesn't make it easier to take but at least you know.

How is Murphy now?

I am sorry that your kitty got nabbed up in this, but I had to wonder.

Did your kitty have any tags? Was he wearing a collar to ID him as being owned? Was he proudly displaying his bling bling of a rabies vaccine? If so, I would be outraged. If not, he would be considered a stray every time he steps out your door.

So many families are having a tough time financially and are struggling for food. They simply dont have the money to spay or nueter their animals, and male cats are fighters, and territory protectors before being nuetered. They spray, they claw, they can cause alot of damage, and can impregnate females all over the neighborhood in just one night of prowling around.

I donated money to my local shelter who does this service you describe. The cat population is way out of control all over the USA. Thousands of cats are caught or killed everyday. Many are taken to the humane society and are put to sleep because there is no more room for any more kitties. They are only keeping the young, cute healthy cats with no scars from fighting because they can adopt them most quickly.

I am sorry it distressed you that your kitty was gone, but I am a huge supporter of the service they are providing to cats. ALL of my babies have been rescue adoptions that have been found wandering the streets after being dumped out on local farms from family and neighborhood that are swimming in extra cats.