Man Steals Cat From Mpls. Store, Returns It With Apology

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After a man walked into a Minneapolis pet store and stole a kitten Friday afternoon, the rescue community that first found the pet sprang into action.

Ruff Start Rescue coordinator Abbey Lynn says she snapped pictures of the man from PetSmart security video and took to social media for help to find the cat, named Wednesday.

"This precious kitten was missing," Lynn said.

She says a man walked into a northeast Minneapolis PetSmart adoption center Friday afternoon, cut the lock on Wednesday's kennel, then walked out of the store with the kitten.

"We were all expecting the worst, unfortunately," she said.

Lynn says 3-month-old Wednesday was on break from her foster family's home and in the adoption center of the pet store.

She says cats, especially black cats, are usually less sought after than dogs, so a partnership with PetSmart gets them more attention.

Lynn posted the security camera images on social media and several people shared her post.

"It spread like wildfire," Lynn said.

She says she thinks the pressure led someone to return the kitten to a Roseville location less than one day later.

Lynn says Wednesday was returned in a small cardboard box on with this message written on it: "It was going to be a Valentine's Day present and I had no money... I'm sorry."

The adoption fee for Wednesday is $150, but Lynn says money was never the issue -- it was about safety.

Ruff Start Rescue screens applicants to adopt pets that are saved from several types of difficult circumstances.

"People love their pets and a pet is forever," Lynn said.

Ruff Start Rescue says it did file a police report.

The rescue is taking applications for anyone who would be interested in adopting Wednesday the cat, who is back with her foster family for now.

Click here for more information on adopting Wednesday.