In Memory of Stephanie

Stephanie, a one year old Calico cat, had been at SSHS for about a month and was hopefully awaiting a loving home. Late in the afternoon on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, a young man entered our facility on the pretext of looking at cats. He spent several minutes in our adoption room, waiting for that moment in time when no one was looking and removed Stephanie from her cage. Hiding her under his jacket, he quickly exited the room and the building. Meanwhile one of our animal care attendants noticed Stephanie missing and our receptionist thought this person appeared to have something under his jacket. Stephanie perhaps?

Unfortunately we were not able to stop him but were able to get his license plate number. A quick review of video surveillance showed our worst fears, he had stolen her. The Oneida County Sheriff's Department responded quickly and within hours Stephanie was returned, only to die moments later, the apparent victim of a severe beating.

Our community has expressed their outrage over this tragedy and offered their condolences to SSHS and we are truly appreciative of everyone’s support. While we are grieving Stephanie’s death we take some comfort in the knowledge that the perpetrator was identified, charged and arrested for her death. With the passage of the Felony Animal Cruelty Law in 1999, commonly known as Buster’s law, perpetrators can be punished by up to 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

We are committed to obtaining the maximum sentence.

An outraged public has asked how they can help and there are a number of ways.

Contributions are always needed, as we mourn Stephanie’s death we must also continue to care for the other pets looking to us for help. Volunteers are always needed for a variety of tasks, one of which are greeters to help the public meet our hopeful homeless, a few hours a week can make a difference in an animal’s life. Here's more information on how you can help.

Stephanie was laid to rest in My Pet Memorial Park aside other victims of cruelty and abuse, under a headstone which reads "SORROW".