An animal rescue group in metro Atlanta is investigating the theft of a cat available for adoption from a Petco store in Cobb County. The incident involves a cat named Peggy, who was stolen last month at the Akers Mill Shopping Center.
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According to investigators, two men expressed interest in adopting Peggy but did not complete the required paperwork. Surveillance footage shows one of the men placing Peggy into a carrier and leaving the store without authorization.
Daniel Weitz, co-founder of Pounce De Leon Cat Rescue, expressed the emotional toll of the incident, stating, "It's just a traumatic experience for us, to have one of our cats pried from us like this." Peggy has been missing for several weeks.
Weitz reported that the men also stole a cart filled with supplies, including the cat carrier they used to take Peggy.
Pounce De Leon Cat Rescue has rescued over 850 cats and works in partnership with Petco and other organizations to facilitate adoptions. Weitz noted that this is the first instance of a rescued cat being stolen from the organization.
The rescue group has filed a police report and is distributing flyers to gather information about Peggy's whereabouts. They are concerned for her well-being, stating, "We just don't know what the motivations were."
Anyone with information regarding the stolen cat can contact Pounce De Leon Cat Rescue or local law enforcement. In Georgia, stealing a pet is classified as misdemeanor theft if the pet's value is under $500, which can result in up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.