ITM store cat dumped
The SPCA has launched an investigation into the dumping of a beloved shop cat that had considered a lower North Island building supplies store its home.
Rodney the tabby had been a regular sight on the counter at Central ITM in Marton for almost a decade, lazing and sauntering about the shop.
But two weeks ago he was abruptly kicked out of town, when the store manager took him to a spot 15 kilometres north of Marton and left him there.
Rodney’s exile has sparked search parties near a reservoir where he was discarded and the cat remains missing.
There has been much discussion on social media whether the animal has been dumped or ‘‘set free’’. But an SPCA spokeswoman says there is no debate. ‘‘Releasing’’ was returning a wild animal to its natural environment. Removing a companion animal from a familiar environment and abandoning it was dumping.
Central ITM Marton’s branch manager has stepped down from the role and an inspector from the animal welfare charity is investigating the incident.
Central ITM owner Robert James declined to comment, but in a reply to a Facebook post about Rodney the store apologised for what had happened and advocated for the humane treatment of all animals.
‘‘We would like to let the community know that the actions of one does not define the views of a whole company.’’
Robert James
Central ITM owner
‘‘To the community, we hear you and we are doing everything in our power to make amends for the misstep taken,’’ it said.
‘‘We would like to let the community know that the actions of one does not define the views of a whole company and ask that you acknowledge that our employees too have families and pets of their own to love, provide for and protect.’’
The store was working with cat rescue group Marton Moggies to search for and rehome Rodney, and was donating $1000 towards the agency.
A concerned ITM customer who alerted Stuff to the incident said Rodney’s ill-treatment was heartbreaking.
‘‘In these times and all the advertisements about animal cruelty, SPCA, and not to dump animals, rehome if possible, how could such a thing be done?’’
It is illegal to leave an animal in circumstances in which no provision is made to meet its physical, health and behavioural needs under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
The SPCA spokeswoman said while some people might believe ‘‘liberating’’ their pet was in the animal’s best interests, deserting an animal was likely to compromise its welfare and was unacceptable.
Marton Moggies had received reported sightings of Rodney near where he was dumped, but was yet to find him. Traps had been set so the cat could be captured and rehomed. Animals abandoned in unfamiliar environments are vulnerable to starvation, disease, injury and death.
ITM national marketing manager Juliana Raven said the matter had escalated more than necessary, affecting the store, their staff and families.