Following what they thought was a routine animal rescue, the RSPCA shelter faced a bizarre and distressing situation that no one could have anticipated.
In March 2025, the shelter was called to assist an injured kitten found on the street. Responding promptly, the Brugheas RSPCA took the kitten to a vet for necessary treatment and to check for a microchip.
Start of an unusual situation
The kitten had no microchip and, therefore, no identifiable owner. The shelter took the animal in to provide the prescribed treatment, but what followed proved to be a serious challenge.
The day after the rescue, the Brugheas RSPCA received a phone call from an individual claiming to know the kitten’s owner, who wanted to reclaim it.
The shelter staff explained the legal procedure: as the animal had been treated and microchipped at the shelter’s expense, the owner would need to reimburse these veterinary costs to reclaim their pet.
This condition, however, sparked an outburst of anger. Throughout the day, the shelter received numerous calls, followed by direct visits from increasingly hostile individuals. According to the RSPCA, staff members eventually suffered physical assaults, necessitating police intervention and leading to a formal complaint being filed.
Ongoing harassment
Despite the hostility, the shelter adhered to the legal eight-day waiting period before making the kitten available for adoption, giving the owner ample time to complete the necessary steps. However, no action was taken, and after approximately 12 days, the shelter officially transferred the animal from the shelter to be rehomed.
Having apparently refused to pay to reclaim their pet, the alleged owner continues to harass the shelter and spread defamatory statements in an attempt to damage the Brugheas RSPCA’s reputation. In a social media post published on 9 March 2025, the shelter shared details of this extraordinary rescue to highlight the unacceptable abuse they endured while carrying out their duties.
They also took the opportunity to remind the public that microchipping pets is mandatory and that no one is above the law.
