In Fredericksburg, Texas, a cat named Pepper who has brought comfort and joy to readers at the Pioneer Memorial Library has allegedly been told to pack her cat nip, return her library card and leave the building.
In a closed door meeting on Tuesday, the Gillespie County Commissioners Court and a judge decided Pepper, the beloved cat who once had once been a stray, needed to leave. The library has yet to either confirm or deny Pepper’s library future.
Pepper had been rescued by library personnel at the end of February and everything had been going along smoothly with the cat cuddling up to readers and just bringing generally positive reviews from patrons. Unfortunately, one person who dislikes cats, created a Facebook post with negative comments about Pepper which captured a lot of attention. This unidentified woman had been coming to the library for the time Pepper had been there; she had never complained before, but suddenly she and her two children are allergic to cats and, now the family refuse to return to the library until Pepper and her library card are revoked and removed.
According to social media posts via Redditt, Pepper is now living with one of the staff member, and the entire town is rallying against the cat’s eviction. Seems so many people had been making trips to the library just to meet Pepper and enhance their day, but a woman and her two kids complain and everyone else suffers?
In a Change.org petition for Pepper, the following is included:
… the decision to remove her is devastating. The right to a safe home is essential for everyone and every being, including our beloved Pepper. We believe there is a way for Pepper to continue to live at the Pioneer Memorial Library without causing any disruptions.
We plead with local authorities to reconsider this decision. Let’s keep Pepper in her rightful home and preserve the unique spirit she brings to our library. Please, sign this petition to support keeping Pepper at Pioneer Memorial Library.
Pepper supporters originally wanted to procure 300 signatures for the petition, but the cat’s popularity exploded with compassionate supporters and more than 6,900 signatures have been garnered in the last three days.
Pepper provides a sort of therapy that is priceless for all that encounters her.
Let’s wait and see what happens. Meanwhile, we can assure readers Pepper is safe.
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