Fox Richmond Bulldozes Cat Colony - June 25, 2008

We learned early yesterday that WRLH, the local Fox affiliate located at 1925 Westmoreland Street in Richmond, had contracted a local pest control company to trap and kill stray and feral cats and kittens residing on and around the station%u2019s property. This course of action was deeply troubling to us and I communicated to them our willingness to help manage and control the cat colony using non-lethal humane methods such as trap-neuter-return or relocation.

Yesterday I spoke with a representative of Sinclair Broadcast Group, current owner of the Fox affiliate and recent acquirer of WTVR Channel 6. This representative was unswayed by our offers to assist. This morning I spoke with Steve Genett, General Manager of Fox Richmond. At first he seemed willing to discuss a compromise solution that would incorporate non-lethal methods, but later in our conversation he admitted that bulldozers were plowing through the cat habitat at Fox's offices at that very moment. I immediately rushed to the location and was shocked and horrified to see the swift and total destruction of the area.

Sinclair Broadcast Group and Fox Richmond's unconscionable actions are cause for great concern throughout our community. I cannot begin to understand what manner of corporate culture and leadership it would take to behave in this cruel way. I encourage you to contact the following individuals and companies to express your outrage:   

Fox Richmond WRLH Channel 35
Phone: (804) 358-3535
General Manager: Steve Genett
Online Feedback Form: http://www.fox35.com/inside/contact.shtml
Mailing Address: 1925 Westmoreland Street, Richmond, VA 23230

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc
Phone: (410) 568-1500
President and CEO: David D. Smith  
Online Feedback Form: http://www.sbgi.net/contact/contact.shtml 
Mailing Address: 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030

It is also important that other members of the media are made aware of just how upsetting this series of events is to our community. Please let them know by sending e-mails to the following addresses:

news@wric.com 
newstips@wtvr.com 
newsroom@nbc12.com 
letters@timesdispatch.com

I know that Richmonders consider the plight of homeless animals and feral cats to be a very high priority and a cause that is close to their hearts. I had hoped that Fox and Sinclair Broadcast Group would reconsider and continue to operate as a kind and responsible media partner in our community, but that hope was dashed with their inhumane actions this morning.

Sincerely,

Robin Signature 

 

Robin Robertson Starr
Chief Executive Officer
Richmond SPCA

Sign Petition
Sign Petition
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.

Privacy Policy

By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.

Having problems signing this? Let us know.