Local vets trying to fulfill final wish

Area veterinary clinics are trying to fulfill an anonymous dying woman’s wishes — to find new homes for her 32 cats.

The cats were found last week on the doorsteps of at least five vet clinics in Auburn and Opelika. The woman had divided the cats and placed them in plastic containers and cat carriers.

“These cats were dearly loved,” said Dr. Kim Bond, owner of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, who found eight of the cats. “They’re not feral cats or neglected cats. They were dearly loved.”

Click here to see a slideshow of some of the cats.

When Bond arrived at work at 7 a.m. on Oct. 6, she found three plastic containers sealed with duct tape and bricks on top of them sitting at her front door.

There were holes cut into the tops of the containers. The container tops also had information written about each of the cats held inside — name, age, description, medical summary.

For example, “Jinx, long hair, gray/white, age 7” and “Crackers, small gray/white, short hair, age 7” was written on one container top. Both cats were declawed and were current on their shots, according to the handwritten information.

A handwritten note — signed by “Miss R” — taped to one of the containers explained that the woman had just found out she was dying from cancer.

“My time is very, very short. There is not enough time to find homes for my children another way,” the woman states in the letter. “... I beg you not to let them die because I have to, please!”

The words — “Please do not kill!” — were written in all capital letters on each of the containers.

The scene at All Creatures was repeated at least four other vet clinics in Lee County last week — Pet Vet, Village Vet, Opelika Animal Hospital and Animal Health Center. Pet Vet was able to find homes for all three of the cats it received.

As of Monday afternoon, Village Vet had one of the four cats they found. Opelika Animal Hospital had four cats remaining. All Creatures had four cats, including Jinx and Crackers, left for adoption.

According to several of the veterinarians at the clinics, each of the cats appears to be healthy. All of the cats appear to have good temperaments, were probably kept indoors and get along well with each other.

Dr. Buddy Bruce at Animal Health Center still has the six males dropped off Thursday at his clinic’s front door. He is offering discounts on all vet services, such as shots and neutering, to anyone who adopts one of the cats.

“Other vets that I’ve talked to say the same thing, ‘Let’s do what we can to find these kitties homes,’” Bruce said. “These are her children. She took care of the situation the best way she could.”

In her letters, Miss R. apologizes for placing a burden on the vet clinics. In the All Creatures letter, she closes with a request and a wish.

“Will you please let them know how special they are,” she states. “One day in heaven I hope to be with them again.”

No additional information or confirmation on the identity or condition of “Miss R.” was available.