I just got an Amber Alert for a missing cat. Not kidding.

[Croney]

On my landline, which we keep for junk calls that go to voice mail. A woman described the cat and gave the street it's missing from, over a mile away from us. She gave an opt-out (press 2 to be on the do-not-call list) but I NEVER press a button.

She gave the website, lostmykitty dot com. I took a look. They put "Amber Alert" in quotes but that doesn't make it ok.

This is misuse of an important phrase IMO. And who TF thinks it's ok to call everybody in town for a missing cat?

[TheFarseer]

1. That's going to make people opt out

And potentially endanger kidknapped children. Not OK

[hlthe2b]

2. Maybe, but i have great empathy for those who have lost a beloved pet.

I personally would not consider it an imposition. (And, this from someone who gets awakened at least twice monthly with the "real" Amber Alerts--even from hundreds of miles away. However, those are loud alarms, not phone calls, so for most, there is a clear difference).

[Croney]

3. I have empathy too, but I guess my point is that

the term Amber Alert should not be used for anything but its intended purpose, which is to quickly find endangered children.

[abqtommy]

4. Some of us think that cats and other pets are important too. Of course others think differently

and there are among us some kind and gentle people to quietly lead them away...

[Croney]

5. Lol. If my dog were lost, I wouldn't sleep until I found her.

I still would not call my search an Amber Alert.