On April 24, 2022, my cat was stolen from my home by a woman named Kari Johanna Rios Franco and her accomplice. She is based out of the California Bay Area.
Kari Franco claims to be an “animal rescuer” who adopts out cats. She came into my home under the false pretense of wanting to do a wellness check on the cat I adopted. She did not inform me she would be bringing a stranger and she had prepared a letter saying that she planned to take my cat.
Kari Franco provided clear evidence of criminal intent.
After stealing my cat, Kari Franco was investigated by the Sacramento Police Department for theft. The Sacramento and San Jose Police department both contacted her regarding her animal theft and pursued a criminal investigation.
Community Concern for Cats, a well-respected animal nonprofit, had also contacted Kari Franco to tell her that her actions were unacceptable, and informed their network of animal rescuers and nonprofits to never work with her again. Kari Franco’s malicious actions harm well-intentioned people that actually want to help animals, since Community Concern for Cats now has a policy not to post any animals for adoption outside of their own, due to Kari Franco taking advantage of their system and her subsequent criminal activity.
Kari Franco’s crime also directly resulted in California legislation to clarify without a doubt that any theft of a companion animal is criminal.
Do not let fraudulent and criminal “animal rescuers” fool you. Under California law, animals are considered personal property. That means that taking them without consent is theft.
Kari Franco claimed her adoption contract allowed her to commit crimes such as stealing animals from their owners. There’s no such thing as a contract that allows you to commit crimes.
Lastly, another scam the criminal Kari Franco attempted was to add a clause in her “contract” that she couldn’t be sued or taken to court. My attorneys laughed when they reviewed this. The purpose of a contract is to have an agreement that can be upheld in court, there’s no legitimate contract that could prohibit legal action being taken.
Kari Franco is a criminal, trespasser, serial liar, and thief.
Catnapping is a crime 