Call Kurtis: Groomer Cremated My Cat Before I Could Find Out Why She Died

MARYSVILLE (CBS13) – Vanessa Rodriguez-McQuade is heartbroken, grieving the loss of her cat Sandy.

"I miss her so much." Vanessa said. "She was just so hyper, so happy."

Just hours after being dropped off at the groomer, VIP Pets in Marysville, Sandy was dead.

She said the groomer told her the cat simply became unresponsive and died.

But, Vanessa is not sure she buys that explanation.

"What really happened?" She said. "She was a perfectly healthy two-year old cat."

Vanessa said she asked for a necropsy or autopsy for an animal, but VIP Pets had Sandy cremated before that could happen.

She said she won't ever know for sure how Sandy died.

"You're not going to know until you have an autopsy done," Vanessa said.

To top it off, she said VIP Pets would not give her Sandy's ashes.

We brought the case to vet Dr. Jyl Rubin, who has cared for exotic and domestic animals for decades.

"How would we ever know the cause of death [when] they just cremate them without any evidence?" Dr. Jyl said.

She says grooming can be stressful for pets and could lead to potentially deadly health conditions.

Dr. Jyl recommends staying with your pet throughout the process. If you can't stay to see your pet being groomed, Dr. Jyl says to ask for a tour and have them explain how they are groomed and where they'll be keeping your pet.

We learned the state does not license groomers. It is up to each business to decide what kind of certifications and experience they require from their employees.

"Sometimes having the owner around can be helpful," Dr. Jyl said.

"I feel like I do my best," said Emma Chen, owner of VIP Pets. She told us Sandy was brought to a vet, who told her staff the cat died of a heart attack, stroke or blood clot.

But, we checked with that vet's office which told us they never saw the cat.

Chen said her staff asked Vanessa if she wanted the necropsy.

"They did not want it," Chen said.

But, Vanessa said she and her husband specifically told them they did want one.

After we talked with Chen, she made sure Vanessa knew where the cat was taken for cremation.

Now, Sandy's ashes are home, with VIP Pets paying for the cremation and urn.

"Her name is engraved on the top," Vanessa said, pointing to Sandy's urn.

She still misses Sandy and is not sure why she died. But at least Vanessa has her back.

"I'm sure she's probably happy to be home," Vanessa said.