COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — An animal hospital is apologizing to a family after one of its employees kept an ailing cat that was supposed to be euthanized, despite the family’s wishes.
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The cat, named Annie, remained alive for another 18 months.
The family brought their 19-year-old cat to the Senoia Animal Hospital in February 2025 to be euthanized.
The cat’s owners say she had suffered a severe decline in health, and they did not want her to suffer anymore.
Annie was a purebred Ragdoll cat.
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In a report filed with the Senoia Police Department, the cat’s owner, Brian Jagt, said Annie was no longer eating, would wince when being touched and had painful arthritis.
The report says he paid nearly $300 for the euthanasia and communal cremation.
Jagt said in late July, his son, Tyler, learned from a friend who works at the Senoia Animal Hospital that an employee had taken the cat home.
“It is my understanding that Annie has been in frequently since February 2025. She does not look good in the picture. My family is very concerned that the vet is keeping her alive beyond reason, to the detriment of the cat,” Jagt said, per the police report.
Brian and Tyler Jagt declined to speak with me on camera.
One of the owners, who also declined an on-camera interview, said the veterinarian and technician made the decision to keep the cat alive out of compassion for an animal that appeared healthy.
Hospital leadership issued a statement saying they fell short in “honoring the trust the family placed in us” and are making things right.
The hospital euthanized Annie on Aug. 13. The owner says the family was refunded everything they paid for the euthanasia, and the family does not plan to press charges.
Sandy Turpin has brought her pets here for eight years.
“We’re very fond of them. We’ve been very pleased with all the care they’ve received,” she said.
Jan Tumlin says it was wrong not to put the cat down.
“If the owner went in and wanted to put the cat down, it’s not up to the vet to sit there and say the cat shouldn’t be put down,” Tumlin said.
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