Petra Dunn, of Richmond, VA., age 39, has a history of "adopting" many cats from shelters but then placing them with fosters and never following through on her obligations to provide what they need and to take them into her home. One of her fosters has been "stuck" with Petra's cats for approximately six months reportedly (I am still waiting on this person's statement). This has occured in several situations and yet Petra is still trying to adopt more cats as of present. I know of at least four cats that she recently tried to adopt but the people involved were warned about Petra and she was denied (see below for specifics). There are at least two rescue groups that have reportedly DNA'd Petra, plus it's been reported that she has been DNA'd in most of the Miami, FL. area.
Petra also has a very bad habit of offering to adopt cats and then disappearing from the cat's thread. Then, when she reappears days later, to discover that (naturally) people are upset that Petra went MIA, Petra makes a lot of excuses, gets defensive and even sounds threatening at times at the idea of anyone saying anything negative about her. The Pets On Death Row - Urgent Death Row Cats and the Friends of Shelter Cats - Cobb County, Georgia Facebook pages have banned her and I believe the MDAS cat page has as well (waiting on verification).
Steve Sninsky had a bad experience with Petra earlier this year that illustrates how irresponsible Petra is and he agreed to go on the record and share his experience with Petra. Here is his timeline of events re: this dated Aug.14, 2012.
My adventure with Petra Dunn
By Steve Sninsky
I am currently housing 3 cats and 2 kittens that were pulled from the Gaston NC shelter at the request of Petra Dunn. After multiple scheduling of appointments to pick them up, Petra consistently missed each appointment. The following is a documentation of my experience with her regarding these 5 cats:
April 20, 2012
Petra contacts me via FB asking if I could emergency foster the 3 cats and 2 kittens en route from Foster #2, who rescues from the Gaston NC shelter until April 25th. She had originally contacted Kitty Angels of CT (where I volunteer at) and asked if they could hold them until the following Tuesday/Wednesday, but they could not. Following that, she contacted me. She said she missed the rendezvous in Richmond VA with the transport (she does not know who the transport company is, only the names of the drivers (Brenda & Brian). I agree to foster them, meeting the transport at Kitty Angels.
April 20, 2012 (evening)
I meet the transport at Kitty Angels, and bring the cats to my home. Having never fostered cats before, I spend approximately $200 at PetsMart for supplies (litterboxes, litter, food, toys, bedding).
April 21, 2012
I contact Petra via FB and let her know that all the cats are safe. Also send an email explaining the physical condition of the cats, and that they will need vet care due to Gisele having diarrhea, and the kittens sneezing since their arrival. I suggest she come to CT on the weekend (April 28th/29th) instead of during the week. She responds via FB that she has to work tomorrow and that she would call me from work.
April 22, 2012
Petra responds via email, agreeing to the vet visit for Gisele and the kittens. I do not receive a phone call.
April 23, 2012
I contact Petra via email and inform her of the results of the vet visit and that the bill was $192.50 with my rescue discount included. Gisele is on Metronidazole and all three adult cats are being fed special Royal Canin high-energy food (to aid in nutrient absorption), kittens are on Amoxi-Drops for their URIs and being fed Royal Canin Kitten Growth Formula dry and wet food. Twice a day doses of Amoxi for kittens, once a day Metronidazole for the Miyu (whose name was originally Gisele), the 8 month old female tux. I inform her that Rufus and Buttercup may also need vet care if they begin to show signs of diarrhea. She responds that she is off on Sunday and can drive up on Saturday, if that works for me.
April 24, 2012
I contact Petra and inform her of a change in the cats' living arrangements (moved the kittens out of a cage and into their own separate room for more freedom of movement). No response.
April 26, 2012
I contact Petra via FB asking the status of her coming to pick up the cats since I had not heard from her in a few days.
April 27, 2012
I contact Petra again via email due to not receiving a response from my FB message, again asking about the status of her coming to pick up the cats. She responds via FB that her phone is off and some info about a doctor visit, and that she “decided to take a break from FB for a week” [RU: edited out Petra's reason as it is irrelevant here]. She states that she can come to CT on Sunday April 29th or May 5th (the following Saturday).
April 28, 2012
I respond that Sunday the 29th would be good, but if she needs until May 5th, I (reluctantly) say that will be OK, but we need to set a concrete date ( am becoming concerned about her reliability at this point). I tell her again about the vet visit for the kittens and Gisele. I ask how she is going to fit 5 cat crates in a Toyota Celica, how they will be fed and will relieve themselves during transit.
April 29, 2012
I post on Petra's wall in response to Maureen McGrath's post (she had asked how Petra is enjoying her new cats), stating that they are with me and that Petra was coming next weekend (see screenshot). Petra responds that she had written an email (that I had not received). She then sends a PM via FB, saying she has tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off and that she has a friend with a 4-door car and “will get it sorted out”. I respond and say that she has one big crate here from the transport, but she needs more crates for the other cats.
May 1, 2012
I inform her via FB PM that Rufus and Buttercup both need to go to the vet and are scheduled for Thursday. I state that I will scan all the vet bills and email them to her. I tell her that I do not need money for the fostering, but the vet bills are climbing in cost - currently at $450, including food at this point. She responds that the vet bill is already more than she makes in 2 weeks and will bring donations, food, etc and will make arrangements to pay the bill off. She asks what is wrong with Rufus and Buttercup.
May 2, 2012
I respond saying that I don't take IOUs from strangers and expressed my confusion as to why she didn't let me know ahead of time about her financial situation and ability to cover the costs. I then tell her I could take the expenses of food off, so she would just pay for vetting & meds.
May 3, 2012
I come up with a total of $382.37 for the vet invoices (I had originally miscalculated, in that one of the invoices included some expenses I was responsible for). I tell her I am OK with her wanting to reimburse me with food donation, but I don't need $382 worth of pet food so she could pay the rest via PayPal. I ask what time she is coming on that weekend (May 5th/6th) and I recommend a place where we could meet. I tell her the results of today's vet visit and that the vet gave all 3 adult cats Profender and that they are on Metronidazole. The kittens are still sneezing a bit and are both on Amoxi-drops now, but they are otherwise healthy. I email her the vet invoices.
May 4, 2012
Petra writes via FB PM that she is working today and tomorrow and Sunday due to her boss changing her schedule. She now “surmises” that Tuesday would be “an excellent day to meet”. She apologizes for her inability to talk on the phone and says she will have a cell service tomorrow.
May 5, 2012
Petra sends a FB PM asking if Wednesday would be a good day to meet and tells me she got paid and can pay me $250-$300 and donate food for Kitty Angels (not sure why she involved Kitty Angels at this point)...dog, cat, puppy food and toys & treats. She also tells me about the friend who is traveling with her. I respond saying Wednesday afternoon would work, after 4:00 (due to my work hours). She responds saying “That sounds great to me!” and that she now has a cell phone. She also says (and this is a KEY point IMO, considering her overall conduct in rescue): That “I am not as responsible as I should be. That's really embarrassing to admit. Especially at my age. Because I know better. Sigh....”. I respond and accept her proposal (both meeting time and payment) and tell her how we can transfer the cats from my vehicle to hers with no chance of any cats escaping. I tell her I don't need dog food and ask if she can send the money via Paypal (due to my concern that she may drive up to CT and show up with “insufficient funds'). I tell her to take into account the cost of tolls and give her some ideas for a route to drive up on. I ask her about how many cats she has, and how many of these 5 cats are staying with her.
May 8, 2012
I send a FB PM and ask if we are still on for Wednesday afternoon (so I'll know if I have to go to Kitty Angels to borrow some carriers for transport to the meeting place) and ask if she is sending the money via PayPal. She responds that she doesn't have PayPal or a credit card linked online, and that she “halted all online purchasing” and that she will pay me in cash and cat food and toys. She tells me that she will be in her car (Toyota Celica) unless she can talk her girlfriend into taking her Ford (probably the 4-door car she mentioned previously). She says she will confirm which car she will be arriving in. She also sends an email telling me her phone is now on, and asks “how is tomorrow is looking for you?” She sounds excited to meet the cats and for us to meet in person, and says she is bringing me a few bags of Royal Canin, but does not have the formula I feed my cats with.
May 9, 2012
7:23AM – she informs me via text message that her Mom is insisting on her getting car repairs today when she gets off at 12:00. She cannot refuse because her Mom is paying for it (the repairs), she owes her $12K for the car already, and she could not tell her about the trip because she would “flip out”. She says she has money for the cats and would not write a check. She says she is off tomorrow but does not know if her car will be ready. She thanks me for my trouble and kindness, and says she will pay me $300. She apologizes for missing my call due to her falling asleep.
May 10, 2012
At this point I am fed up. I had rescheduled an appointment so I could meet her yesterday. I respond via text message, giving her the ultimatum that the next time she misses a pickup date, I am keeping the cats. She responds that she will send me a copy of the car repair invoice as proof (I never do end up receiving it). She goes on to say:
“4 of those cats were sponsored for me. Meaning 2 people paid adoption fees for them. I am getting the cats and paying you in cash and giving you food. The cats are mine. 2 at my work. 2 at home. And one for my niece. I will keep my next appointment. No need to threaten you will keep them. I want them and like I said 2 people sponsored them for me for a reason. I have helped save at least 80 cats from gaston and PODR since oct. I don't appreciate feeling attacked at all”
- I respond:
"I don't appreciate having to wonder IF you will show up for an appointment. How many cats you've saved since October is irrelevant. I've funded and saved a similar amount since February. Close to $15K worth of funding, vetting and transport. So what? Make good on your word to pick up THESE cats. I stand by my original statement. Not negotiable, not a threat. LAST CHANCE. I've spoken with the people who originally pulled these cats, fostered them and funded them previously. I am at work and am tuning out for now.”
I get no response.
May 14, 2012
I send her a text message saying that we need to set a date for her to pick up the cats, any day except Saturday the 19th or Memorial Day is OK (I am on animal transport duty on the 19th). I get a blank text message in response. She responds that is fine. I respond that the kitties are all doing well. She responds that “all is a go with my car” and she will “take my advice regarding the cat carriers” (I assume this means she is bringing hers).
May 17, 2012
I send a text message asking her about the date on which she is coming (asking “next week or hopefully before month end?”). She responds saying that “the 23rd/24th are both open!” and asks about the ages of my cats (so she will know what kind of Royal Canin food to bring), and says what kind of food she is bringing me, says she will bring food for Kitty Angels, and asks if there are any others I need. I tell her to check her email, since my phone battery is dying. I sent an email describing the cats age, conditions and behavior. They are all through with their meds at this point and are getting Proviable probiotic. I tell her that May 23rd/24th work for me but “PLEASE make absolutely sure you can make it on one those dates.”. I tell her I am OK with a particular formula of food for my cats (Royal Canin Adult Fit 32).
May 19, 2012
She responds with a rambling email, where at the end (after signing her name) she trails off with “I will absolutely be there! We do have Royal Canin Indoor. We have”. The message ends there, seemingly unfinished.
May 20, 2012
I respond with “I am taking that in as we are locked in for one of those dates...but which one? I need to know so I don't schedule anything on the day you are coming.” I thank her for offering to bring the food, and tell her that the last bit of her email was cut off, and ask if there was more that she meant to say. No response.
- I send a FB PM to Foster # 2 asking about her situation with Petra, and explain what I am going through with her.
May 21, 2012
Foster # 2 responds that Petra is not her friend, and that she was fostering the cats for her through Maureen McGrath, who funded the pulls and (presumably) the vetting. She also says she will “never get a cat for her”, (Petra), and that “Rescuer x still has 3 of her cats waiting on her to come and get them. She has rescues get her cats all the time and then never picks them up. She missed four or five appointments with me before the transport was scheduled.” I respond with more info about my situation, and she responds “I did not know Petra when I accepted the cats to foster, Giselle and Rufus, or accepted them from Maureen to keep them until the adopter was chosen like Buttercup. I was just being helpful. I am sorry she has done this to you. She did the same to me. Either she will show up and get them or forfeit them.”
- I send a FB PM to Rescuer x to get her side of the story and if she is having as many issues with Petra that I have recently. She confirms, and says she is way past “4 strikes”, and that she has had 4 cats of Petra's for 4 months now (and as of July 27th, still has them), and has totally given up on her coming to get them or even meeting half way.
May 22, 2012
I respond to Rescuer x in amazement that she has had the cats for 4 months. She responds saying that one is FIV positive and one is feral, but she has calmed her down a lot. She also states that “I don't believe Maureen will sponsor anymore for her after this last one with you and the other lady.
I strongly feel Petra is mentally ill. Not just her health problem that she uses as an excuse of why she hasn't done this or that. To me the best way to deal with her is not to acknowledge her on pleas for offering to take a cat for her.”
May 23, 2012
I send a text message asking what time she wanted to meet today or tomorrow.
No response.
- I send another FB PM to Foster # 2 asking for her permission to adopt out the cats if Petra doesn't show up. She responds with her acceptance and wishes me “Good luck but don't expect her to show up. She never once came when she promised me either.”
- 9:23PM I send an email:
”OK, what is the deal here? I have emailed you, I have sent you a text, and
no reply. You said you were coming on the 23rd or 24th. It is obviously safe
to assume that it will be the 24th. What time will you be at the Willington
Rest Stop? It must be between 4:00PM and 9:00PM. I have sent you information
previously on May 8th on where to meet and the best route.”
No response.
May 24, 2012
I send another text message “Still waiting for a response...”. She replies that she has been sick all week and has been out of work and been through hell. She now says she will send the money via PayPal due to her getting a Visa ATM card within the next few days, will mail bags of Royal Canin to Kitty Angels or my address. She writes “The drive is not what I can handle at this point. Too much going on.”. She sends a 2nd text message about 3 hours later saying “I am sorry steve. I don't want to burn you. I will give yo uwhat I owe. and i want those cats. i do.”.
May 25, 2012
Foster # 2 responds giving me written permission (via FB PM) to adopt the cats out, since her name was on all of the pull paperwork and she would most likely be legally considered the legal “owners” of the cats. She responded in writing in agreement, giving me permission to adopt them out. However, I decided to keep them myself instead.
Petra's lack of response to my messages seals the deal. Too many lies, no action and this is not an isolated incident. Her lack of commitment to picking up these cats as well as the ones Rescuer x is fostering was unacceptable, and everyone I had explained the situation to agreed that she was deserting them with me. I decided to stop wasting my time and accepted that the cats were “failed fosters”, and end up keeping them myself. I have spent approximately $1800 on them out of my pocket, but I do feed them the best Royal Canin foods, which are not cheap.
Note:
- Petra's location and age are based on her Facebook page information. I cannot verify the accuracy of this, it is only what she has posted about herself.
Screenshot from Steve taken from Petra's wall.
Screenshot from Petra's page where she discussed the cats she asked Steve to foster for her and explaining why she did not ever go get them as she promised she would.
Source:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=444995335518098&set=a.427856207232011.99353.100000229053133&type=3&theater
Email communication re: Knight (cat posted on Pets on Death Row - Urgent Death Row Cats) by those who were receiving warnings about Petra, discussing her vet reference check.
Cats that Petra has recently tried to adopt but was prevented from being able to do so:
Friends of Shelter Cats - Cobb County, Georgia
8-12-12, OREO
Petra posted that she wanted to adopt this cat Oreo on Aug. 12, 2012. Then when at least one person apparently criticized her she acted insulted. As of late last night, Aug. 16, Petra still had not reappeared on Petra's thread and Oreo is as of present still in need of rescue or adoption. Petra has now been banned from this page.
Death Row Cats Columbus Georgia
8-1-12 to 8-3-12, TWITCH
Petra posted that she wanted this special needs cat (he had had at least two seizures while in the AC) on Aug 1, 2012 but then disappeared from the thread for over 24 hours and by the time she returned, the page had been alerted about her history and she was denied the adoption of this cat. This cat, given the name of Twitch, was sent to Animal Haven of Hope Society and was doing well until Aug. 12th, when he had a severe seizure that he was unable to recover from. RIP sweet boy. :(
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=448927121813949&set=a.443033592403302.104717.442712515768743&type=1&theater
Pets on Death Row - Urgent Death Row Cats
7- 22-12 to 7-26-12, KNIGHT
Petra's posts are not visible since she was banned from the Pets on Death Row - Urgent Death Row Cats page but she disappeared from this cat Knight's thread after stating that she would adopt him. A PODR admin and another person involved in the page were alerted to Petra's history of not being responsible for other cats she has adopted and Petra was denied the adoption of Knight and banned from the PODR page. Knight was rescued by Anjellicle Cats Rescue.
Gaston County NC: Available Pets in Animal Control
5-16-12 to 5-22-12, Female cat in cage # A8 (no name)
Petra posted on May 16, 2012 that she wanted to adopt this cat, then disappeared for over 24 hours (5-18 at 2:08am EST to 5-19 at 7:51 am EST) then disappeared again for a long time, considering this is a kill shelter, (5-20 at 5:47pm EST to 5-22 at 7:10am EST). By this time, it was clear that Petra was not reliable and others had stepped up for her. Petra responded defensively, angrily and with excuses as is typical of her. Petra was denied her adoption request and this cat was adopted by someone else.
References:
Petra Dunn's Facebook page:
Friends of Shelter Cats - Cobb County, Georgia
Death Row Cats Columbus Georgia
Pets on Death Row - Urgent Death Row Cats
Gaston County NC: Available Pets in Animal Control
