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Marina Batkis

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Animal Expert

The Resume

    Born in United States
    Name also reported as Marina Baktis
    Co-owner with Vanessa Chekroun of Mutts and Moms Dog Rescue agency in Pasadena, California
    Assisted in the agency's adoption process of dog Iggy to Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi (September 20, 2007)
    Removed dog from the home of Degeneres's hair stylist Cheryl Marks due to adoption agreement violations after DeGeneres gave it to Marks's family for ownership (October 14, 2007)

Why she might be annoying:

    She allowed Iggy to be adopted without first neutering him and removing his agency microchip.
    Despite being given to a responsible family by DeGeneres, Batkis opposed this action due to its violation of a signed agreement stating pets adopted from Mutts and Moms Dog Rescue could not be later given away without the agency's knowledge.
    Her agency's policy of wanting children in placement families to be at least fourteen years of age was questioned by some.
    She and agency representatives arrived at the family's home unannounced to repossess Iggy, allegedly under the pretense of a home environment inspection.
    While her agency expected DeGeneres and the dog's new family to follow policy, the agency at that time was violating a Statement of Information release requirement which caused it to be temporarily shut down.
    Before DeGeneres and the family considered the issue resolved, the agency allowed an anonymous family to adopt Iggy.
    She and other agency representatives reported receiving severe harassment, including death threats after the situation received media attention.

Why she might not be annoying:

    One of Mutts and Moms Dog Rescue agency's missions was rescuing mother dogs at risk for extermination at shelters after the dog's puppies were adopted.
    She stated that before and during Iggy's repossession she informed the family that they could legally own the dog after the application and adoption process was completed, and they would be exempted from the age rule.
    She stated that the dog had a urinary tract infection which made him unable to be neutered before adoption, and she expected DeGeneres to have him neutered by the agency after the infection was treated.
    She was applauded by some for challenging the alleged belief that DeGeneres and the family's celebrity status and influence exempted them from the agency's adoption policies and requests.
    She endured being vilified by much of the media and public, claiming her actions were in Iggy's best interest.
    Her rescue agency was later re- opened after a Statement of Information was released and the harassment decreased.

Credit: Pr31wnb


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 23 Votes: 56.52% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 34 Votes: 97.06% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 24 Votes: 54.17% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 18 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 99 Votes: 79.80% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 40 Votes: 57.50% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 107 Votes: 63.55% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 36 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 51 Votes: 76.47% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 92 Votes: 66.30% Annoying