A Sydney veterinary clinic made famous by Dr. Chris Brown’s Bondi Vet TV show is under fire after a cat was released from the wrong family, and is now lost after fleeing.
Dismayed owner Katie Matthews went to Facebook on Monday to help find her cat Tara, after she claimed Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital had released her to the wrong family.
To make matters worse, the family that Tara was discharged for “letting her out” of her home and the cat fled, causing a frantic search by the local community.
According to a text message from the vet shared by Katie, Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital staff released Tara instead of another cat named Lara, both of whom are turtle-colored.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Julia from the vet. I’m sorry to have to send you a message this way,” the message began.
“Last night, one of our employees accidentally discharged Tara instead of a cat named Lara at a Bondi house.
“They were both turtles and the person who picked her up was her grandmother and she didn’t know what her cat was like.
“She took Tara home and the neighbor came and said she wasn’t her cat, and after all the stupid things they let her out.
“I am very sorry to have to let you know this. We are doing our best to find her.
“We have your chip. We’ll put up posters everywhere and let the City Council and all the vets know.”
The vet went on to apologize throughout the text and said they would commit to training their staff so that this does not happen in the future.
“I can’t believe it could have happened and the staff will be properly trained,” the message said. “I can’t apologize enough and we are all very anxious as I imagine you will be.
“We’re doing everything we can.”
Katie said on Facebook that she only wanted Tara to be found, but added that she was worried that vets “wouldn’t do enough” to find her after she alleged that they only put up a poster and two cat traps.
“Veterinarians at Bondi Junction Hospital have lost my cat,” he wrote in the post. “Can someone please let me know if you see Tara. She’s gray with a ginger stain on her face.
“She may be kind, but she’s afraid of strangers … her neck has her name ‘Tara’ in diamonds and a round silver tag with a number to call.
“However, we’re both on vacation, so send a message or call Bondi Vet Hospital on Ebley Street.”
In another post on the Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital Facebook page, Katie explained that Tara had been boarding vets while on vacation.
Many people in the comments were outraged at Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital for the mistake, while others blamed the family that released her.
“Please don’t slip that fact if they find it, make sure they do a full free inspection and that they also do fleas and worms,” one said.
“This isn’t even my cat, but I’m heartbroken and outraged by her and her owners.”
“Wow, very unprofessional vet, but what catches me is why Grandma let go of the cat instead of taking it back to the vet,” another commented.
“I hope you get your baby back safely.”
Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital admitted the mistake on its Facebook page and urged anyone in the local community to contact them if they found Tara.
“On Sunday, a staff member gave the wrong cat to the mother of the owner of another turtle cat,” the publication said.
“She did not know her daughter’s cat and therefore did not recognize him and took her home.
“Then, when a neighbor of Castlefield St, Bondi, passed by and said it wasn’t the right cat, little Tara escaped to the back garden and jumped the fence.
“We have signs and traps for cats and we are actively looking for her. We would ask you all for your help. It was a human mistake and the staff involved are very upset because we love and live for the pets they care for.
“Please let us know if you see her.”
News.com.au has contacted Bondi Junction Veterinary Hospital for comment.
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