A colony of cats that resided outside a Home Depot in Lake City, Florida, for six years has gone missing, prompting an animal rescue organization to demand answers. Over the years, volunteers fed and cared for the homeless cats, trapping, spaying, neutering, and vaccinating them under a standing agreement with the store's management.
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However, the situation changed with new store management, according to Laura Rister, founder of Ranch Rescue. She described an incident in which a volunteer discovered two dead cats near their feeding area and was confronted by a store employee who claimed they were no longer welcome and that the cats were being removed.
Rister noted that, under Florida law, the spayed and neutered cats are considered property of the feeders, and Ranch Rescue has received no information about the whereabouts of the missing animals. Rister is now questioning the cats' fate, asking, "Where did the cats go? What is the disposition?"
The disappearance has sparked public outrage, with protesters gathering outside the Home Depot and numerous comments flooding social media. The Humane Society of Lake City has issued a statement clarifying that they had no involvement in the situation. One volunteer who discovered the missing cats has been particularly affected, taking time off from her teaching job due to the distress.
Some community members, however, continue to support Home Depot. A frequent customer expressed loyalty to the store, stating, "I stand with Home Depot. The people here are like family to me."
Ranch Rescue believes that three cats may still be on the property, but they are not in the organization's care. Following the incident, Ranch Rescue has sought legal assistance to find out who removed the animals and what has happened to them. News4JAX attempted to contact Home Depot for comment but did not receive an immediate response. Ranch Rescue has vowed to continue its efforts until they obtain answers regarding the missing cats.