Two tiny kittens ‘stolen’ from cat rescue shelter

Two tiny kittens were stolen from an animal shelter, it was claimed.

The theft allegedly happened yesterday afternoon, when a group of seven arrived at the shelter to look at the animals for rehoming.

Two of the party splintered off and grabbed two kittens from a pen, it was claimed.

After the shelter handed CCTV over to police, the cats were recovered.

A post on the rescue centre’s Facebook page said: ‘An incident occurred at our shelter today, which has left us reeling.

‘A group of seven people came in this afternoon asking to see our cats. A member of staff dealt with the party and showed them around.

‘We were busy – all other staff and volunteers were showing other people around.

‘Whilst they were being shown around, two of the party headed back towards our reception, entered our kitten pen and stole two of our kittens.

‘We know they did this because we have CCTV footage of them doing so.

‘Pictures of kittens identical to those stolen are attached.

‘One is a ragdoll-type who arrived with us semi-feral when her Mum was killed in a road accident.

‘The other is a silver tabby.

‘These kittens were reserved for rehoming by other families, who are utterly distraught that “their” kittens currently won’t be heading home as planned.

‘It is beyond comprehension that one would intentionally steal from another.

‘Stealing vulnerable, living creatures from a charity is despicable.

The charity said CCTV had been handed to police.

Police Scotland have been approached for comment.

A spokesman for Lothian Cat Rescue said: ‘A family group visited our shelter on the afternoon of August 24, looking to rehome a kitten.

‘The group completed our rehoming procedures and were shown around by a member of staff.

‘Two members of the group said they would wait by their vehicle. As they were leaving, they entered our kitten pen and stole two of our kittens.

‘They were captured in-the-act on CCTV.

‘We are so delighted to be able to confirm that, thanks to social media and great on-the-ground detective work from our staff and volunteers, the kittens – Latte and Tiny Tim – have been safely recovered from the house to which they had been taken.

‘Both kittens are well and are back at our shelter.

‘This is the first time since our shelter opened its doors in 1993 that animals have been stolen from us, and we are left feeling shocked, angry and vulnerable.

‘The welfare and safety of the animals in our care is of paramount importance to us, and we will be reviewing our procedures to minimise the chances of a situation like this happening again.’