On Thursday, June 19, 2008, an adoption application for a calico cat named Gidget was completed by me at the PetSmart Location in Manalapan, New Jersey. On Saturday, June 21st I hadn't heard back about my application, returned to PetSmart and was provided a phone number to call. Eileen, the owner, finally returned my call and I was informed that their criteria for adoption was essentially based solely upon veterinarian history which is why I hadn't received a call back. No references were taken or checked, no employment history, educational history, questioning about current or past pets. No credit report was taken or question about home atmosphere. The biases and adoption placement decision was essentially based "solely" upon medical/veterinarian history rather than locating an appropriate, loving home environment.

After much discussion, I invited Eileen to visit my home to see the home environment in which Gidget would be residing. I have been an animals rights activist in the 80's and have rescued many pets, including the ones I currently have. Additionally, I have owned cats since I am 5 years old. Upon her arrival and further discussion it was revealed that Gidget, the cat I wish to adopt, had already been unsuccessfully placed in two previous homes, obviously placed based upon poor selection policies and interviewing criteria. The cat in question has been at Petsmart in Manalapan longer than any other cat - 4 months or longer.

Also, it appeared as if Eileen maintained poor decision making as well as interpersonal skills.

Eileen finally agreed that Gidget would find a good home here in my home. Adoption was set to take place on Friday, June 27, 2008, originally some time after PetSmart closed. A call from Eileen was received by me at 8pm to confirm the adoption that evening. I live less than 3 minutes down the block from Petsmart. Rather than deliver Gidget to me first (they would not permit me to pick her up myself), spare her further anxiety being caged for undue time, particularly because of the high humidity and heat temperatures (the heat index that day was appx 92), her age and past adoption traumas, she was caged and dragged around in a car, in the heat for more than 3 hours while kittens were delivered to another home. By 10pm I had not received a call from Eileen nor delivery of the cat.

When I phoned Eileen at 10pm, 2 hours later, to ask when she would arrive since I hadn't heard from her in 2 hours, she stated "the people decided to adopt two kittens instead of one and I knew you stayed up late". I questioned where Gidget was during this 2 hour process in the heat and Eileen mentioned that since Petsmart closed she had to take her along for the other adoption. I stated again that I live 3 minutes down the road and she should have been taken to me first to spare her the trauma of a long car ride in the heat as well as the practicality of it. I could have picked her up as well. She wouldn't hear of it.

At 10pm I phoned asked when she would arrive that I was tired and wanted to spend time with the cat before having to go to bed. My daughter was disappointed and was also waiting for her new pet. She reiterated that she knew I stayed up late as if my staying up late gave carte blanch to arrive at any hour, without phoning and leave the frightened cat in the pet carrier for hours. I stated that this adoption process is tedious and I was concerned and reasonably upset about Gidget having to experience further trauma and anxiety in a cage, in the heat and humidity for the past 2 hours when she could have been here. Cats don't like to be driven in cars and become quite anxious and fearful especially when they are older. In my opinion, this is abusive to the animal and poor decision making.

At 10pm, I was hung up on by Eileen! I was shocked. I immediately phoned back. When an attempt was made to speak, Eileen stated there would be no adoption tonight and hung up on me again! I phoned back and left a long message, much of which has been stated here. I have received no phone call back from her at all. I was expecting an apology for her rude and unprofessional behavior and for the wasted time I spent waiting on a Friday night as well as the distress caused to my daughter who was also waiting around for her new kitty.

At this juncture, I will no longer be donating money and food as I have been to Home for Animals as the biases and adoption process is not in the best interest of the animals. In fact, if I didn't know better, it appears as if there is little desire to actually place these helpless animals in good homes. Since then two of my personal friends contacts Hope for Animals seeking adoption. No calls have been returned in a 4 day period to date.

I sent an e-mail to [email protected] and received a response from the Treasurer, Diane who wrote a soliloquy of paragraphs about Eileen's hectic schedule and how she has little assistance or volunteers to help. Yet, when I offered assistance to pick up the cat directly, my assistance was denied, even in light of my past rescue experience and experience as a pet owner.

During her home inspection, we noticed that she is very obsessive and controlling telling me exactly how I should care for the pet even though I am and have been a pet owner for 45 years. The hang up phone calls only serve to confirm that this pet adoption owner has serious issues that impede her ability to adequately care for and place these pets in homes.

I stated in my e-mail to her organization, that if an effort is not made to complete the adoption of Gidget by Saturday, June 28, 2008, a complaint will be filed with the Better Business Bureau as well as Consumer Affairs. PETA will also be notified about the adoption process and abusive treatment of Gidget on June 27, 2008.

I saved all written correspondence. As of today, Tuesday, July 1st, 2008, I have no cat, and no phone call back as well as no apology. I visited Petsmart and spoke with the store manager Justin and informed him of what transpired. He said that he would notify the store owner.

At this juncture, we are heartbroken about not adopting Gigid and it is difficult to find homes for adult cats. We were treated unfairly and unprofessionally. Eileen obviously has difficulty dealing with people and making decisions in the best interest of the pets. The cat we were to adopt is still homeless and had to endure hours of trauma and ended up with no home due to the reckless decision making and maltreatment by this owner Eileen.

In addition, friends and acquaintances have informed me of their difficulties in dealing with Eileen and in their inability to adopt through her organization. It's as if she doesn't really want to find homes for these pets and operates with prejudice and personal bias and has little experience dealing with the public.

If you require additional information, do not hesitate to call me at 732-462-5239.

Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,
Lorraine Valente.