Ottoviani and a group of local residents, including people with the Sacramento SPCA, were doing right by the cats and by the plant. According to Catster, starting in 2008, they began cleaning up the grounds and getting the large number of feral cats -- over 70 -- spayed and neutered before returning them to the site. Ottoviani has gotten a number of them adopted.

So why the fuckery on 7Up's part? The execs began citing FDA regulations requiring the plant to ensure that their products were not being contaminated. They also alleged that Ottoviani's actions encouraged more cats to come to the property. They had warned Ottoviani about feeding and caring for the cats on company time, warnings Ottoviani says he heeded; he fed them on his own time. In January 2012 they fired him.

Anyone who knows anything about feral cats --and I am one of them -- knows that by feeding, spaying/neutering, and otherwise caring for the cats, Ottoviani is actually contributing to the cleanliness of the plant facility. The cats are there and they will stay there regardless of what the plant honchos say or even if people stop feeding them -- they will do everything from feed on the local bird and rodent wildlife to find ways inside the plant to find food. Right now Ottoviani is managing the colony and keeping them under control. If he stops caring for them, they will not "disappear," they will become a far bigger "nuisance" than they currently are. And because he isn't getting them spayed/neutered, the population will rise.

This is a terrible thing to happen to both Ottoviani and the cats. Both of them need our help. Catster gives some methods to reach out.

7Up has a Facebook wall. Go tell them what you think of them, though the usual "no profanity" stuff applies, I guess. They're getting HAMMERED on their wall. Here's what I wrote, before Facebook temporarily blocked me from posting the same comment in one 7Up thread after another:

Your reprehensible firing of Larry Ottoviani is beyond despicable. Firing an employee for taking care of feral cats living outside the bottling plant is inexcusable. Until you reinstate Mr. Ottoviani with full, retroactive pay and benefits, my family will never buy a 7Up or Pepsi product again.

Here's the contact link for the corporation.

Here's the contact info for 7Up representative Jason Genthner, who's quoted being all high and mighty in the SacPress story. Phone 972-673-6688; email jason.genthner@dpsg.com

Here's a petition demanding Ottoviani's reinstatement. My name will be on there by the time you read this.

Post your ideas for reaching out on behalf of Ottoviani and the cats in the comments. I'll post the best ones in the text.

And not to be an egotist, but please rec this thing up. I couldn't care less about me getting the play, but if it hits either the Community or Recommended lists, it'll get more eyes and Ottoviani stands a better chance of getting his job back.

Recommended, sweet! More eyes and more people who can help Ottoviani and the cats. (And my latest check of 7Up's FB page shows they are getting inundated with angry comments.)

Next step: getting this on CNN or MSNBC.

Okay, did I lose my damn mind? Now it's NOT on the Rec list. I realize it's past my bedtime, but am I hallucinating?

And, it's back. I'm just going to stop updating and let it bounce on and off the rec list as it will.