A Message to Kristen Lindsey from Leroy

By Jean Salyer

This is a message I wrote to Kristen Lindsey from the viewpoint of a feral cat. The message was posted on Facebook a couple of months ago, but never actually sent to Lindsey, since I did not know her address……

Hello Kristen.

I won’t call you Dr. Lindsey because real doctors are healers, not killers. I am a formerly feral cat and there are a few things you should know about me and other feral cats. First of all, we did not ask for the kind of life we are forced to live. We are often cold, lonely and hungry. We are always frightened. Some of us are lucky enough to have humans to give us food. Even though our lives are hard, we still want to live. Don’t you?

Can you explain why you hate us so much: because we are “feral” or because we are cats? Kristen, I would like to know how feral you would become if you were suddenly dropped off in the mountains of Afghanistan, with no hope of ever getting home, with only the clothes on your back. How feral would you be if you were lost in a hostile land where you desperately need help, but you know that seeking it will cost you your life; where you define a good day as a day when no one has tried to kill you; where you define a great day as a day when you find a little food.

I am one of the lucky ones. I survived many years on the streets for 2 reasons — I did not trust humans (there are too many like you out there), and I had a caregiver who brought me food daily. My caregiver trapped me for the second time (I was TNR’d when I was young) and took me to her home. At first I was terrified, but in time I learned to trust and now I am an indoor kitty, happy, healthy and living the good life. So why do you think the only fate I deserve is to be killed by you and people like you?

I still remember the true meaning of fear, and I know what Tiger went thru at your merciless hands. What I don’t know is why. What did cats – feral or tame – ever do to you to make you want to kill us? Did you murder Tiger just to impress a few rednecks with your cruelty? Did your heart shrivel up to the point where there is just no room for mercy? All of your bragging tells me you had a pretty easy life, so where did so much mindless hatred come from? Did Tiger approach you expecting some affection or did you sneak up on him? Did you trap him or wound him before killing him with the arrow? How did you inflict the wound on his hind leg?

I suspect you cannot understand why hundreds of thousands of people all over the world are calling for justice for Tiger. For you, this means losing your license and going to prison. Tiger will live on in the memory of everyone seeking justice. You will be remembered also, but not in the way you had hoped for.

Jean

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