A pair of nonprofits and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office want to know who struck a pair of feral cats with what appears to be blow darts in Tavernier earlier this week.
Whiskers & Paws Forever of Monroe County’s Margie Schwartz has spent more than two decades spaying and neutering feral cats throughout Monroe County. Her efforts are mainly focused in the Upper Keys but she won’t say “no” to a cat in need of help.
Such was the case last Monday, when Schwartz received a call regarding two cats that were spotted near a wooded area not far from a Tavernier condominium with darts sticking out of their bodies. Six other sharp-pointed darts ranging different lengths were also scattered on the ground near the cats.
Schwartz said the caller was curious if the cats were being tranquilized for spaying or neutering purposes. Schwartz quickly responded with an “absolutely not” and sprung into action.
“This is definitely an abuse-type situation,” she said. “As soon as we knew what happened, the police were called. It is a felony. Animal abuse is a felony.”
Schwartz said Denise Rathmayr and Laurie Diaz were able to safely and securely trap one of the cats on Wednesday. The black cat was transported to veterinarian Kyle Maddox at Keys Veterinary Hospital where a 6-8-inch dart was removed from its rear leg. The cat is now rehabbing at Schwartz’s Islamorada residence.
Schwartz said they’re still trying to safely secure the other cat, black and white in color, with a dart sticking out from its back.
“The other cat has been seen and hasn’t passed away despite running around with a dart,” she said. “If the darts would have hit a different spot the cats would have been killed.”
Schwartz added the cats were previously spayed and neutered.
“It’s like adding insult to injury,” she said.
Schwartz and Nicole Navarro, founder of Pawsitive Beginnings Inc. in Key Largo, are currently working to offer a reward for any information leading to the perpetrator’s arrest. Navarro said she was horrified when learning about the heinous act of animal cruelty.
“As an organization whose mission is to raise awareness on respecting all animals, we are more than happy to come alongside Whiskers & Paws to help circulate this story in hopes that someone will come forward with information so the person(s) harming these cats can be stopped,” Navarro said.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said they’re investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call 305-853-3211.
As of Thursday afternoon, Whiskers & Paws raised $1,025 on its Facebook page to go toward reward funds for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrator. Visit Whiskers & Paws Forever of Monroe County Facebook page or whiskersandpawsforever.com for more information.
