Kitten Reportedly Stolen From Hamburg Animal Shelter

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 say was stolen from the shelter.

Newton, who was up for adoption, was last seen in the shelter’s kitten room Saturday morning. Staff said it was highly unlikely he would escape the room or the building and they had searched everywhere for him but could not find him.

“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 a message on Facebook and said she believed he had been abducted on Saturday.

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

They want to make sure the kitten is safe.

“Not knowing is the worst. If someone called us and said, ‘Yeah, I stole your cat, I’m not bringing him back, but he’s safe,’ I guess I’d feel better about that than not knowing,” Demme said. “That’s the hardest part to swallow, is not knowing where he is, if he’s safe and if whoever has him is taking care of him.”

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

HEART Animal Rescue wants Newton returned. They said no questions asked and asked that he be dropped off at their shelter or a local vet since he is microchipped.