Texas woman's cat is being held for ransom by supposed 'rescue group'

A Dickinson woman has been trying to get her cat back from a group allegedly holding it for ransom since Aug. 6. A Dickinson woman has been trying to get her cat back from a group allegedly holding it for ransom since Aug. 6. Photo: Rachel Dean Photo: Rachel Dean Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Texas woman's cat is being held for ransom by supposed 'rescue group' 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

A Houston-area woman says she must fork over $300 to get her cat back from an alleged animal rescue group.

Rachel Dean, 27, of Dickinson, posted on the Lost Pet Advocates of Galveston County Facebook group Sunday regarding her missing cat Romeo.

Romeo, who is 10-years-old, is an outdoor, indoor cat who went missing July 28.

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"This isn't like him, something is wrong," Dean told Chron.com, adding that Romeo would often sleep on her doorstep waiting for her to get back from work, where she provides meals to poor children in Houston.

Dean began distributing fliers with her phone number around her neighborhood. On Sunday, she received a call from someone asking if there was a reward for Romeo, Dean said. That person didn't say they had her cat.

Dean would end up receiving numerous calls this week from people with two different numbers demanding $300 from her in exchange for her pet. When Dean told one of the callers she couldn't afford that, they offered to place her on a monthly payment plan.

Frustrated and angered over her lost cat, Dean turned to Facebook. The post on the Lost Pet Advocates Facebook group included photos of text messages Dean exchanged with one of the people allegedly in possession of her cat. That person claimed to be from League City.

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"I believe we have a predator out there snatching animals and charging owners for a safe return. Today I received two phone calls from someone saying that they have my cat and want to know how much I would offer for them," Dean wrote.

Dean said she tried filing a report with the Dickinson Police Department, but they would not take her seriously. The Dickinson police department told Chron.com Friday morning that it will be taking another look into the missing cat. A request for comment was also placed with the people Dean has been texting with.

"I feel tormented," Dean told Chron.com. "Because as much as it seems it's a scam, I've been given false hope a couple different times. I want to believe that they have him and that's where he is. But logically I don't know. It's really cruel to be doing this to people. I want other people to know about it."