Sick kitten stolen from Sevierville, Tennessee animal shelter, $100 reward offered

Rome, a kitten removed from the Sevier Animal Protection Center and suffering from swimmer’s syndrome. (Sevier Animal Care Center)

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Sevier Animal Care Center is hoping a kitten in desperate need of treatment will be returned safe and sound after it was stolen Thursday.

The animal center shared on Facebook Friday morning that Rome, a kitten with swimmer’s 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 the one they were advised to be most likely to safely recover the kitten.

In a comment on the post, the center said the person who took Rome slipped into one of the cat rooms, took the kitten out of its kennel and hid it in his shirt.

Although no charges have been filed yet, the shelter said it has the face and license plate of the person or group of people who took the kitten. If Rome is not returned by the end of Monday, the center said it would file a complaint.

On Friday around 1 p.m., the Sevier Animal Rescue Center announced that a $100 reward was being offered for Rome’s safe return and that they had reason to believe that Rome had been abandoned.

If Rome is not returned to him, the Sevier Animal Protection Center said he will likely die without treatment. According to BioDigital Veterinary Services, swimmer’s syndrome is a rare disease that makes it difficult for cats to walk or stand due to muscle weakness and skeletal deformities. The Atlanta Human Society reports that many kittens with this condition are euthanized, but with proper treatment, they can make a full recovery and live long, healthy lives.