I notice that Polly had a pink collar on in the picture. I take it she didn't have it on the day she followed you out the door?

No, she's had a couple collars and always managed to lose them.

John, the readers who back up AA here are the same kind of people who will never let their cats know what it's like to experience the freedom of rolling around in the dirt on the sidewalk in the sun.

As a cat owner I make the conscious choice to let my cats outside, knowing the worst could happen. Why do I do that? Because I feel the cats would prefer a life of freedom and being outdoors, chasing mice and nibbling grass, than being trapped inside, bored out of their minds, and out of control fat due to lack of exercise.

It is too bad that the people who want to lock up a cats every move can't understand that when neighbors walk by and interact with your cat, that that is a frequent occurrence and not something that should alarm. Wow, neighbors get to fall in love with the cat too! Call the cops.

As an earlier commenter said, you're a better man than me because I too would have strongly considered driving a truck through that building to get my cat back as well. The lack of empathy by AA and their apologists is astounding. ASTOUNDING.

Hope you get the kitty back somehow.

It seems like the AA apologists are the same kind who would take away your children and lock you up for not making them use safety helmets and training wheels. Busybodies. Probably doing a background check on me right now, looking for a way to lock me up or shut me up.

So sad for Polly and she didn't have a choice. I believe Animal Allies was wrong in this case. I've adopted many cats from shelters over the years and I would not adopt a cat that belonged to someone else. And I still won't chip my pets because I don't believe in it. I wonder how many people at AA are perfect like they expected you to be? A friend brought a cat to AA several years ago, it was injured and she told the attendant that the cat was injured. The attendant didn't wear protective gloves and it bit her. That cat suffered for 10 days without any medication for her injuries and they killed her in the end. My friend was so upset about the incident she will no longer go to Animal Allies. She's had cats all her life and they treated this cat so badly. I have a stray cat and it took me 7 months to be able to touch it and another month or so to bring it to the vet. Polly wasn't a stray and the girls stole her. Animal Allies completely missed the point of all this. Bringing a new cat changes the situation if they have animals. When you bring another cat into the situation, it will change the cats again. They should have given you Polly back. I would not feel right about adopting a cat that AA has known to have a family and all my cat loving friends agreed far and wide. They would not have adopted Polly. Did the shelter tell the people and they still went ahead with the adoption, shame on them.

You have my sincere sympathies in the loss of Polly. It's hard to lose a pet. It really saddens me and I will definitely not adopt from Animal Allies. I don't want a cat that has a family. Shame on Animal Allies for going ahead with the adoption.

Thank you.

Ditto for me. I have no respect for Animal Allies or the people who knowingly took your cat away from it's home. My sympathies to your family, I'm sure your children and Polly are heartbroken.

It wasn't just Animal Allies people I was calling holier-than-thou a-holes. I include you in that, too.

Thanks, I'll consider that.

Yeah, the outraged lectures about how I could possibly have watched two girls pet Polly and DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT are pretty astonishing. I guess nobody else ever lets anyone pet their cats unless they're standing right there, thumb twitching anxiously on the 911 speed-dial.

Yes they did.
And they will steal yours if you're not careful.

If anybody has had something similar happen to them, or knows of it happening a friend or acquaintance of theirs, I would encourage you to contact the Reader at info@readerduluth.com or 218-722-0173. I'm gathering stories for a future article. We'll see what's click bait.

If anybody has had this happen to them, or knows of it happening a friend or acquaintance of theirs, I would encourage you to contact the Reader at info@readerduluth.com or 218-722-0173. I'm gathering stories for a future article.

(smiles enigmatically)

Everyone has varying degrees of morality, of "what is right", and "what is wrong". It's like politics- how can we garner change and work together? Rules, rules. We need them; yet we abhor them. Situations are not always black and white: these complexities beg for better solutions. The situation John experienced happened to me, too. Our friendly old cat was stolen from our yard unexpectedly. I called both the pound and Animal Allies for over 3 weeks checking to find her. It wasn't until 7 weeks later, after I was grieving her "death", that she was finally brought to the pound, microchipped there for some reason, and then brought to Animal Allies. It was at this point I saw her-alive!- as an adoptable pet on the Good Morning Northland segment on WDIO online. I rejoiced and it seemed a miracle. I immediately called Animal Allies and let them now I was the owner and I was on my way to get her. Not so. The same process happened as John's: and I was "no longer the legal owner", despite my email pleas, photos of proof of her identity, and numerous phone calls. It was shocking. I was given a lesson in "morality" from Animal Allies staff. They had all the power now. Not my cat. Not their problem. The condescending and icy remarks were handed out like a lashing; like I was an incompetent, naughty 3 year old. In the 18 years I "raised" my feline friend, moved around, had 2 kids, she had a happy and healthy life as an indoor/outdoor kitty. Free and intelligent, we had a mutual trust. She knew to stay away from cars. But not people. She was sweet and friendly to anyone walking near the 15 feet from the front door. Then someone took her in broad daylight when we were all home, in and out, on a gorgeous summer afternoon. Who? Why? We all have a right to raise our pets like our children. We are all given the freedom of choice. Everyone has a right to their opinions. Yet some relish the powerful satisfaction of being "right", bullying, my morals/values are holier than thous, and "fact-checking". Sigh. It's human nature. But some humans show more trust, compassion and kindness. Those people believe doing the right thing, based on common sense and kindness. That is not childish or naive. It's simply purity of heart: trust in the goodness of human nature. It exists for some adults yet. Amazing, isn't it? Now: Smooth down your hackles, everyone, take a breath and calm down. That's what I had to do; but I remain a champion for change. Please think. Amend ineffective policies for the benefit of responsible pet owners. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Give us back our pets- no matter how many days you are caring for them- thank you!- but we didn't know they were alive. You save many animals lives, it all takes money, time, effort. Thank goodness for Animal Allies and all shelters and Animal Control. We need them. Yes, I was communicative and proactive. After weeks of calling both facilities-(what is the proper time frame to keep trying? Weeks? Months? I don't know). I connected with neighbors, calling her name searching the streets and alleys- I didn't know what else to do. Yep, I let my old gal outside often. You bet, she caught a chipmunk, a mouse now and then. I made a choice to allow her some freedom, fresh air, and independence. I took her to the vet for shots, spent hundreds of dollars in 18 years of care, including her stroke. She fully recovered. I should have microchipped and collared her. Yes. I wish I had- I had never even considered it. The vet never offered or mentioned it. So, someone stole her. Bad luck; and bad me. Bottom line: I should have gotten her back, Animal Allies. It was the right thing to do- I read your policies. Very nice, for your business. You need these policies; but they need some leeway in the legality for the folks like me. I learned my "lessons" from this experience. It was pretty rough. But my cat should still be at home with her family and kitty sister- happy and safe and free. See you in my dreams, my drooling, head-butting, softly purring darling.

So sorry for your loss... The Young girls need to be found and learn there are is always a reaction to their actions... What is worse is that the people didn't care what affect this will have on our children...Not everyone's first thought is to call 911 for a missing cat... I meant we are taught 911 is for emergencies... I meant if you called the police they are not gonna send out the force to look for a cat... They have more important things to deal with... But I guess some people would rather have a search party for cat, then the cops responding to an accident...
With that said I have 5 cats , 4 of them stay in the house at all times... But the newest one showed up on my door in the coldest part of the winter, with frost bitten ears and sick... I have tried to keep him inside to give him a great life but he is destructive and sprays in the house... So he goes in and out... But if I seen some one petting him and then he went missing I would try to track the people down and ask for my cat back... But I would not call the police and waste their time...
Now the shelter is so in the wrong pets are family they basically aided in the kidnapping of the family member... And this guy had proof it was his cat... A cat the was not starved, beat, or sick... It was every well taken care of and love... Now yes the guy did brake the laws... So why not fine him for the laws he broke and allow him to have his cat back.. Then if he does it again don't allow he to have his cat back...
As for advice for the original owner I would call a news station and tell your story to them. Then maybe the people who adopted her may see what happened and maybe they will have the kindness in their hearts to contact you... Good Luck and hope time will heal your pain...

If you think the TV news stations around here would ever consider doing a story that was critical of Animal Allies, you don't know our TV news stations. Animal Allies gives them the type of footage they depend on for their broadcasts: cute doggies and kitties, cute children, positive messages about caring for animals, etc. If I complained to the TV stations, they would utterly dismiss me. That I know for a fact. They never investigate anything, and they certainly wouldn't investigate this.

Thank you for the good wishes.

Ooh sorry​ to hear that I live near Aitkin MN and get the twin cities news... Maybe you could contact them cause the do stories up in your area... Just to get it out there...