Our Search For Patches

http://www.gofundme.com/plxf38

This is a subject near and dear to my heart, pets. I've always had them, and they bring so much happiness and joy into our lives that I can't imagine not having one.  Since we love our pets like family, it hurts when they pass away, get sick or disappear.  I can accept the circle and cycle of life, but when things happen to our pets because of the deliberate actions of another - a heartless neighbor for example, I have discovered that the laws around the subject of pets is grossly inadequate.

My mom's cat "Patches" disappeared last November.  He has been her loyal and loving companion for 9 years, and a constant comfort to her through some pretty difficult times.  She LOVES this cat and so do I.  So when he went missing last year I searched high and low for him.  I passed out color flyers, went to animal shelters and walked the neighborhood countless times in search of Patches.  I am desperate to find him!  

A few weeks ago, we found out that a neighbor of hers had a hand in Patches disappearance, as wll as several other cats in the neighborhood. His wife finally felt guilty enough about what he had done that she spoke up and told one of the effected households that her husband trapped our cats in his backyard and drove them to remote areas of Modesto and left them to fend for themselves. When the neighbor found out what he had done to their cat, she police were called and this man admitted to trapping and dumping our cats. I don't know what he did with Patches or where he drove him but there are 2 sites he mentioned, one being an area by the Amtrak station in Modesto.  I have since been to that station in the early morning hours but after 5 months, what re the chances of me finding him now?  I continue to go to the animal shelters nd look online for any cat that fits his description.

I'm afraid at this point our only hope of finding him is to offer a large enough cash reward that people will actually take notice and call if they see him.  I also thought about taking out a large color ad in the Modesto Bee with his photo nd backstory. Patches has always worn a collar with ID, although the neighbor may have taken it off of him before he dumped him so he wouldn't be returned if found.  I can't say how upsetting this has been because this man had NO right to trap these cats and leave them out to fend for themselves when they have loving homes and people who truly value and cherish them.

This neighbor must not like cats.  He has to appear in court on the trapping issue and we will be there to hear what he has to say for himself.  He got fined a mere $200 for the violation! I have a sick feeling the laws around what I consider to be animal cruelty are not nearly strong enough and he will never be punished for his cowardly and selfish acts. Since our family lacks the financial resources to offer a decent cash reward or take out a large photo ad in the local paper, I set up a donation page for my mom in the effort to find Patches.  I'm hoping to raise a $500 cash reward and buy ad space if I'm able to pull this off. My mom is disabled and lives on a fixed income, and unfortunately I'm not in a position to help enough to get this done.

My mom's hot water heater and washing machine both just went out at the exact same time so her resources are tapped.  Although I'm at a loss for how or why people do these kind of heartless things, I still believe in the kindness of strangers and I know there are some awesome and selfless people out there who do care about others.  Im posting this link if anyone is interested in donating www.gofundme.com/plxf38

Thank you for reading this post and I will let you know how the court day goes and if we are ever able to find our Patches - it would be a miracle,