Henrico couldn't tell us not to care about cats

There surely could be no better news that I could have received than the news that the cats had won. When I saw the message telling me that the Virginia Supreme Court had found in favor of Susan Mills and against the overbearing conduct of Henrico County with regard to community cats, I was thrilled and grateful. While the cats have been greatly helped by Susan as well as by the Richmond SPCA and their wonderful attorneys, Jack Robb and Will Shewmake of the law firm of LeClair Ryan, the success really belongs to the cats and to the powerful ethics of respect for the value of their lives and those of other creatures.

Susan Mills says she began feeding neighborhood cats when she first moved into her home in the Laurel Pines subdivision more than 30 years ago.

We all hope that the County will not pursue any new efforts to further persecute or threaten Susan or the cats that she has treated lovingly and responsibly for so many years. Everyone should learn to care for the animals with which we share our world in the dedicated way that Susan has done.

I could never adequately thank Will Shewmake and Jack Robb who have generously given their time, energy, professional expertise and moral support to Susan and to the Richmond SPCA to help us to protect the cats. We also are deeply grateful for the thoughtful opinion which supported a broader approach to the issue written by Justice William Mims and to Alton Wright of the Henrico Board of Zoning Appeals who made clear from his observations, and predicted at the BZA hearing, that the County's actions against Susan Mills were ill advised. I am also so thankful to our wonderful Board members who were willing to stick with our support for Susan's case throughout all of its stages because they knew it was the right thing to do.

Our greatest thanks of all goes to Susan Mills who has not only cared for and loved these cats for many years but who was willing to stand up courageously to the County for them. Together, as a team with Will and Jack, we showed that we can give animals the voice they deserve. It is wonderful to know that the voice we gave them was truly heard. Henrico could not tell us not to care.

---

Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires both your first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Related articles

Consider the value of your pet's companionship

The benefits of taking two

Comments

[annie pelfrey]

finally,some common sense. she has worked so hard to do the right thing for cats that are innocent victims of ignorant owners.had she done nothing, the neighborhood would have an actual problem to deal with.

[Lee Anne Holdren]

Wonderfully stated, and as a Henrico resident, I truly hope that our county leaders realize that this is a positive outcome, and that no further action is pursued in this matter.

[Linley Beckbridge]

Such wonderful news! Thank you all for your dedication and hard work!

[Jobi and Fisher]

This is such happy news! I am just proud because I love cats - you must be in heaven! One step more...onward and upward.

[Bonnie Carollin]

If I was a Henrico County citizen I would be outraged at the use of taxpayer funds that was used to take this case all the way to the Virginia Supreme Court. I certainly hope voters will speak loudly next election and remove these insane officials from misuse of tax dollars.
Thank you to all who helped Ms. Mills through this unbelievable stress, to the lawyers, to the Justices of the VASC, and God Bless the kitties!!