Jul 18, 2008 7:01 pm US/Eastern
Animal Shelter Sued For Backing From Agreement
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
A couple is suing the North Shore Animal League for allegedly backing out of an agreement to take care of dozens of cats when it accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At stake is a program that helps the sick and elderly.
"We were stunned to be honest, and of course disappointed," William Edwards said.
Edwards and his wife Margaret say they wanted to give back to the community when they reached an agreement with the North Shore Animal League.
The couple donated $380,000 to the facility in 2004. In return, they say North Shore agreed to create a sanctuary in Port Washington to care for 52 cats for the rest of their lives. The animals are part of a surviving pet program where they visit hospitals to comfort the sick.
"If I was in a nursing home, I would certainly want to bring a cat to visit me," William Edwards said. "They are nurturing and loving creatures."
But now the Edwards' are suing North Shore for breach of promise, saying the shelter is trying to dismantle the sanctuary. Under the plan, some of the remaining 47 cats would be sent to Virginia, while others would be put up for adoption. The situation has become tense.
"We were locked out," Margaret Edwards said. "Part of the agreement was 24-hour access to the areas, [but] locks were changed."
"There was some harassment and unfortunately it came to a case where we needed to protect the employees, and to ensure the safety of the animals as well," Devera Lynn, of the North Shore Animal League, said.
Lynn also says the couple is being misinformed about the facts. Because the case is in litigation, Lynn would not go into further detail except to say that the program is not being dismantled.
As for the Edwards' – they don't want their money back, but instead just want to continue their work.
"This kind of program brings such goodwill and good PR to North Shore Animal League," William Edwards said.
The couple has filed a temporary restraining order against the North Shore that would prevent it from moving the cat sanctuary.
The case will be in court next Tuesday.
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