Kitten believed to be stolen from Hamburg animal rescue

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The HEART Animal Rescue and Adoption Team in Hamburg is pleading for the return of a 4-month-old kitten named Newton, who they said was stolen from the shelter.

Newton, who was up for adoption, was last seen in the shelter's kitten room on Saturday morning. The workers said the chance of him escaping the room or building is very unlikely and have looked for him everywhere, still unable to find him.

"I mean it's devastating, especially for me. I've had him since he was 4 weeks old," said Kim Demme, who helps run the shelter.

24 hours after Newton went missing, Demme posted on Facebook and said she believes he was taken on Saturday.

Animals being stolen does happen from time to time at shelters, Demme said, but this is the first time it has happened at HEART Animal Rescue.

They want to make sure the kitten is safe.

"The not knowing is the worst part. If someone were to call us and be like, 'Yeah I stole your cat I'm not bringing it back, but it's safe,' I guess I would feel better about that than just the not knowing," Demme said. "That's the hardest part to swallow, is just not knowing where he is and if he's safe and if whoever's got him is taking care of him."

Demme said it's important that people follow the proper procedures when adopting any pet to make sure it's a good fit for both and to ensure the animal doesn't end up being returned. 

HEART Animal Rescue wants Newton to be returned. They said no questions will be asked and asked him to be dropped off at their shelter or any local vet because he's microchipped.