Activists accuse a hardware store of removing stray cats unethically

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) - A colony of stray cats living near a Lowcountry hardware store has slowly dwindled, and are raising questions about the ethical and legal way in which the population has been controlled.

Community members and animal advocates explained they've cared for several cats living near The Home Depot on Northwoods Blvd for years -- some for five years or more. The colony has been fed, looked after, neutered, and sterilized. Recently, many of the cats have disappeared. Social media posts alleged that the store manager was responsible for their removal.

"There was a post made a few days ago letting everyone know that the manager of the local Home Depot up in North Charleston has been tracking these cats to relocate them and take them to a sanctuary in Atlanta," explained founder of non-profit Hope for Feral Hearts, Maggie Cloninger.

Members of Hope for Feral Hearts, the non-profit caring for some of the cats, disputed this account and claimed the cats were not relocated to the sanctuary as alleged.

"It became understood that the trapper dropped the cats off 2 or 3 miles up the road in the woods," Cloninger said. "Which is essentially a death sentence for these cats, as they rely on people to feed them."

A frequent customer of the hardware store explained that if the allegations are true, it will influence his decision to support the business. Stating in part quote, "I will no longer support or purchase from Home Depot due to the way this situation involving feral cats was handled. I believe the actions taken were unprofessional, inhumane, and potentially unlawful."

Advocates explained that these cats are not harmful to anyone in the area. The population has and continues to be monitored and controlled humanely. They're pleading and asking anyone who may be interfering to stop.

"We would love for Home Depot to again, to stop trying to relocate them. They're not a threat to any people coming into Home Depot," Cloninger said. "Just to let the people who take care of them continue to do so. So these cats can live out a dignified life."

News 2 has reached out to The Home Depot for a statement. A spokesperson on behalf of the hardware store stated, "We take these issues very seriously, and we've shared the concerns we've heard from the community with our contractor. We requested they no longer work with this trapper, and they agreed."