Catnapping leaves Red Deer pet agency worried over fate of sick kitten

A kitten is missing and a man is wanted by police after a catnappingat a Red Deer pet store.

The thief stuffed the kitten into his jacket before fleeing thePetland store last Friday,EricaCoomber, director of operations at Alberta Animal Services told CBC News Wednesday.

"He proceeded to go into our cat areaand opened one of cat kennels," Coomber said."He took one of our kittens and he put it in his jacket and he fled the store."

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The two-month-old kitten, named Kennedy,was notyet up for adoption because it's being treated for arespiratory infection and requiresmedication.

Kennedy's respiratory condition could worsen and even become fatal if she doesn't get proper treatment,Coombersaid.

"If he really wanted the kitten, I just don't know why he didn't talk to us and maybe we could have helped him in that way if he really wanted to adopt the kitten," shesaid, adding she doesn't think the manintends to hurt the kitten.

An area of Petland storesis set asideas an adoption centre in partnership with Alberta Animal Services where homeless cats and dogs are sent in hopes of finding them a home.

She's urging the man or anyone in contact with Kennedy to drop the kitten off at any pet store, where animal services can retrieve the sick cat.

This is the first time since the agency partnered withPetlandin 2011 that a kitten up for adoption has been stolen from a store, Coombersaid.

Police believe the man suspected of stealing the kittenwas captured on surveillance video and are asking anyone who recognizes the man to get in touch with them.