NORTHAMPTON — Northampton police were told to look for a small, white kitten with one blue eye and one brown eye.
And Saturday morning, that’s exactly what they found.
The Northampton Police Department put an end to a cat-napping caper Saturday morning when they recovered Flint, the kitten snatched Thursday from the Dakin Humane Society’s Springfield Adoption Center.
The kitten was retrieved from a Northampton home by Detective Brendan McKinney and Officer Doug Dobson at 9:58 a.m. According to McKinney, the kitten seemed to be in good condition.
Flint was brought back to the station in Northampton where officers cuddled him, snapped photos and briefly let him explore the Detective Bureau.
An hour later, Flint was picked up by Detective Mark Bacon from the Springfield Police Department. According to McKinney, Flint was headed back to the nonprofit adoption center in Springfield.
“That cat’s going to find a good home,” McKinney said. “He’s famous now.”
McKinney explained Northampton police were contacted by Springfield police to assist in the identification of two suspects captured by surveillance footage at around noon Thursday.
In the footage, the two women are seen running from the adoption center, one with the kitten stuffed under her shirt.
McKinney declined to release the identity of the two suspects who stole the kitten because it is unlikely they will be brought up on charges.
Police say they will press charges only if Humane Society officials request.
Flint was awaiting adoption for a fee of $350, Dakin Humane Society Executive Director Carmine DiCenso told the Gazette Friday. But his value was closer to $500 to $600, because Dakin neutered the kitten and had the pet fully vaccinated.
Flint was one of about 40 cats awaiting adoption in Springfield, along with dogs, rabbits, hamsters and even parakeets. More animals are available in Leverett.
The organization shelters, treats and fosters more than 20,000 animals each year and has performed more than 69,000 spay and neuter surgeries since 2009.
DiCenso was not available for comment Sunday.