Six cats shot to death at animal sanctuary; reward from United Animal Nations intended to encourage witnesses to come forward

BIRMINGHAM, AL (December 18, 2009) – United Animal Nations (UAN), a nonprofit animal protection organization based in California, is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed six cats at a Shelby County animal sanctuary on December 9.

The caretaker at Save Our Strays, a rural sanctuary for cats south of Birmingham, found the cats the morning of December 10. A veterinary examination revealed that all six cats had been killed by gunshot at close range and appeared to have been deliberately shot. The cats had been living at the Save our Strays sanctuary for more than six years.

Anyone with information in this case is encouraged
to call the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at (205) 670-6283 or  (205) 669-4181.

“We hope our reward will encourage someone who knows more about these grisly acts to come forward with information that could lead to an arrest,” said UAN President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “Violence toward animals is often a precursor to violence toward people, so the community has a stake in seeing that whoever committed this blatant and senseless act is punished to the full extent of the law.”

A study conducted by the Massachusetts SPCA and Northeastern University showed that people who abuse animals are five times more likely commit violence against people, four times more likely to commit property crimes, and three times more likely to be involved in drunken or disorderly offenses.

UAN is offering this reward through its Zig Zag Memorial Reward Fund, designed to encourage witnesses to step forward with information about animal cruelty crimes and to highlight the need for harsher punishments in such cases.

UAN pledged a $2,025 reward when a horse was shot and killed in Palmerdale,Alabama in May 2007 and paid the reward when the perpetrator was arrested and sentenced in December 2008.

The Zig Zag Memorial Reward is named for a Los Angeles dog who was burned, beaten and tortured for hours before dying, and whose assailants received scant punishment.

To support UAN’s efforts to help animals, please make a donation.

Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations (UAN) focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. Learn more at www.uan.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Raymond, (916) 429-2457, ext. 314

###

  Return to Press Releases