Alley Cat Allies has been involved in the case of horrific cruelty toward a tabby cat named Mr. Meow since March 2022, when he was viciously shot to death in his Copperopolis, California, neighborhood.

We continue to stay engaged with key individuals, at every court date, and through our Stop Cruelty to Cats campaign as we call for the maximum sentence and prison time for Mr. Meow’s killer. We will be strategizing with our legal team and following the case all the way through to its conclusion. We are committed to keeping you updated on important developments as we seek Justice for Mr. Meow.

On September 20, a representative of our legal team attended a Calaveras County court proceeding about Mr. Meow’s case. There, the date was set for the preliminary hearing for Colton Fontes, who is charged with felony cruelty to animals for actions related to the death of Mr. Meow.

We want to let you know that the preliminary hearing is set for March 7, 2023. This is a key date where statements and testimony will be given and the prosecution will show it has the evidence to proceed to trial. This is a big step in the justice process, a sort of trial before the trial, and Alley Cat Allies will attend in person to relay important information to you.

It is a top priority for us to keep you informed of our efforts in this case. Our supporters and advocate allies are the reason we can do the critical work on the ground and in court to end the epidemic of animal cruelty in our country and hold perpetrators accountable.

Cats suffer and feel pain, and those who harm and kill them must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Convictions in cases like Mr. Meow’s have a far-reaching impact and set the groundwork for stronger national response to animal cruelty—which threatens us all.

We will be back in touch soon about developments in the Mr. Meow case. Stay tuned and thank you for your support.