SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A sick kitten that was stolen from The Sevier Animal Care Center has been returned.
The animal center shared on Facebook Friday morning that Rome, a kitten with a condition called swimmers syndrome, had been stolen and asked whoever took him to return him, no questions asked. According to the center, they had been in contact with law enforcement, and this strategy was what they were advised would be the most likely to get the kitten back safely.
In a comment on the post, the center shared that the person who took Rome slipped into one of the cat rooms, took the kitten out of his kennel and hid him in their shirt.
Around 5:15 p.m., the shelter shared another update stating that Rome had been returned, and he had actually been taken by a child whose family did not know.
“This was a family whose child hid the kitten in their clothes. The family had no idea until they discovered him later at home. The family was horrified when they saw the post and very apologetic. They all apologized profusely. The child was terrified and certainly learned a lesson,” Sevier Animal Care Center wrote.
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Rome, a kitten who was taken from the Sevier Animal Care Center and suffers from swimmers syndrome. (Sevier Animal Care Center) -
Rome, a kitten who was taken from the Sevier Animal Care Center and suffers from swimmers syndrome. (Sevier Animal Care Center)
Initially, the Sevier Animal Care Center said they had the face of the person who took Rome as well as their license plate on camera, and later they shared that it was believed the kitten had been dumped.
In the latest update, the shelter shared that they had been bluffing about those details in hopes that it would scare the person who took Rome or that the person who took him would pretend to have found him dumped and return him.
The shelter stated that Rome will now continue with his veterinary care.
Previously, the Sevier Animal Care Center said if Rome were not returned, he would likely die without treatment. According to BioDigital Veterinary Services, swimmers syndrome is a rare condition that causes it to be difficult for cats to walk or stand due to muscle weakness and skeletal deformities. The Atlanta Human Society reports that many kittens with the condition are euthanized, but with proper treatment, they can make a full recovery and live a long, healthy life.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with new information.
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