Despite one New York feral cat caretaker believing to the contrary, no one owns a feral, or genuine stray, cat even if they feed the cat or decide that they “keep” the cat along with others in a colony of stray cats. It seems common sense to me. A feral cat caretaker does not “keep” a feral cat. He or she “cares” for the cat.
This is a tragic story of nastiness and I suspect there may be an element of racism in this story although I stress there is no evidence to support that.
Gwen Jurmark did her bit to look after stray and feral cats in Raoul Wallenberg Park, Bronx, NY. Apparently, she fed them and perhaps organized TNR; I don’t know. She is one of the many feral cat carers that are all over America, who I normally admire, tremendously. Not in this case, sadly.
For some reason, one cat of the colony, a sick cat that had been neutered under a TNR program, with the usual clipped left ear, was singled out by a person, we are not told who. She or he took this cat to a local veterinarian, Dr. Shirley Koshi. The cat was named “Karl”. He was cared from Dr Koshi and his health improved. The fact that Karl settled in quickly indicates he was not born a feral cat.
Dr. Koshi appears to be of Indian nationality (wrong? please tell me). She was probably a naturalised American (granted American citizenship).
Weeks after Dr. Koshi’s treatment and care for Karl, Gwen Jurmark told Dr. Koshi, in so many words, that she “owned” Karl. That is the argument she made because she asked Dr Koshi to hand Karl over to her.
That was a ridiculous request because Gwen had no genuine claim, in my opinion. Feeding a genuine feral cat that is left outside to fend for himself has no legal human owner. In any case the law on cat ownership is archaic and out of date. But it gets worse because when Dr. Koshi refused to hand Karl over Gwen sued in the local court.
The court case naturally upset Dr, Koshi. Then Gwen appears to have organised a demonstration outside Dr Koshi’s surgery and made online attacks of her. Her business went downhill and she became badly depressed eventually taking her own life.
This is a ridiculously nasty tale of what appears to be malicious behavior by someone who should know better because she likes cats. People who like cats should be decent people. Apparently that is not always the case.
If the facts of this story are true, I am sure that in the eyes of many people Gwen Jurmark has behaved unforgivably because although we can understand an attachment to a cat, feral and genuine stray cats do not have a human owner.
Note (1): the full detail of the story is unknown to me and probably others. There may be other elements to the story which alter its morality. My opinion is based upon what I read. Note (2): Some “stray cats” are not really strays. They are wandering cats with a “legal owner”.
In my opinion no cat, feral or otherwise, is owned by a person. We live with our cat and look after our cat willingly. That is the mutual agreement and the law is a million miles from this beneficial arrangement.
These are my direct and immediate thoughts without reference to any document. If someone disagrees please tell me.
Note: My thanks to Rudolph for finding the story and telling me about it.
I completely agree with all you write. I am pleased I identified the vet as an Indian lady. To fight over a $30 stray and make a claim in the court for the cat is madness. To claim “ownership” is a human failing. People like to possess. I think the woman who claimed Karl (Gwen) was rude to the vet and the vet resisted not because she necessarily wanted to “posses” Karl but to stop this aggressive claim by Gwen but she misjudged this woman’s nasty streak.
Michael you were very prompt to project your views on this sad topic that resulted in a human death.As a Indian and familiar with the various cultural backgrounds of Indians from different states and regions of the Country seems that Dr. Shirley Koshi is a Keralite Indian by origin.I am totally unfamiliar with the “PET LAWS” in the United States of America and absolutely surprised and saddened that a 30$ stray cat named “Karl” resulted in a court case and a suicide, something unbelievable to us Indians in India.Isn’t the U.S.A the Country that also euthanize’s(Kills) the largest number of unwanted dogs and cats in so called “Pet Shelters” ? Why couldn’t the concerned parties come to some amicable compromise ? Seems there is more to this case then as reported in the press.I was under the impression that Veterinarians are very well paid in the Developed World as its also a very good business back home in India.Thanks to “P.O.C” i was aghast on reading some of the medical charges for common pet ailments in the U.K and U.S.A, in some cases much more than the cost of “Human medical treatment” in Mumbai !Ultimately a human life was lost because of a cat and this is bad publicity for the cause of stray cat ownership and rehabilitation.
Gwen Jurmark apparently adopted Karl the cat from NYC Animal Care & Control back in 2009. He lived in her home for a while. But Jurmark claims he always was drawn to the outdoors so she decided that he’d be happier living with a feral cat colony located in a local park. She subsequently released him into this park. Afterwards, it appears she just fed him and played with him. It doesn’t look like Jurmark did anything further, such as provide health care.
Further adding to this strange tale is the information Jurmark has co-authored a children’s book with Karl the cat as the main protangonist.
In Jurmark’s own words:
“He’s handsome and smart. I feel like I gave birth to him” said Ms. Jurmark, who co-authored a forthcoming book on children’s cooking narrated from Karl’s point of view.”
Let’s face it, cat’s own us. My friend has a stray that has moved onto his back porch as a refuge from the snow. She has him wrapped around her little finger. Without ever so much of a rub against his leg. He is without a doubt kitty-whipped. He built her a kitty fort out of old couch cushions. Cooks for her once a day and feeds her friends as well. He belongs to that stray cat. Not the other way around.
I agree completely. Marvin’s caretaker loved him to pieces, and probably had everything to do with his learning to be around humans. She organized the TNR on the colony she cared for. Yet, she was thrilled, though teary eyed when I told her I would take him in full time. Cat lovers know what is best for a cat.
Agree completely, Michael.
It sounds like more of a battle over who gets the vehicle rather than a cat.
And, to drive the vet into financial ruin is unacceptable. It’s, also, unacceptable that she elicited supporters.
Somehow, this caretaker got twisted and began thinking of her colony as possessions. She needs to turn the colony over to someone else.