Kitten Returned After Theft From Winston Rescue, Woman Arrested

WINSTON, Ore. — A kitten taken earlier this week from a Winston animal rescue has been returned safely, and a woman has been arrested in connection with the incident, according to the organization’s founder.

FCAT Rescue & Thrift Shop said the kitten was recovered Thursday morning after surveillance footage helped investigators identify the suspect. The animal was returned to the rescue soon after the arrest.

Volunteers said the incident happened shortly before closing earlier this week when a woman arrived at the rescue with two children and asked to see the cats.

Volunteer Diane Ettinger Smith said she allowed the group to briefly enter the cat room while she completed closing duties outside the store. After they left, she said nothing immediately appeared out of place.

That changed when she went back inside after closing.

“The cat that was stolen was very vocal,” Smith said. “And it was quiet as could be in here. Something was wrong. I looked around and around, and the cat was gone.”

Rescue founder Edith Walters said staff reviewed surveillance video and saw the woman conceal the kitten in her jacket before leaving.

“They looked right at the camera and everything,” Walters said. “My biggest fear was what might happen to that kitten once we put the video out on social media. We just wanted to get her back fast.”

Walters said the rescue contacted police as soon as the theft was discovered.

Under Oregon law, theft of a companion animal can be charged as a felony. Walters said the rescue intends to pursue charges and hopes the case sends a clear message that animals cannot be taken from shelters.

“We were going to have to get the kitten fast, because there are so many abandoned kittens and cats, I did not want her to just be a statistic,” Walters said.

The rescue said it currently cares for more than 100 cats and operates through volunteer support and donations.

Walters said the organization is also raising money for a planned cat sanctuary and is seeking donors to help increase its ability to care for rescued, injured, and sick animals.

Staff said the kitten appears to be doing well since being returned and has been placed back with the other cats at the shelter.

Rescue volunteers said the case also draws attention to what they describe as a growing number of stray and abandoned cats in Douglas County. They encouraged the public to support spay and neuter efforts and to consider volunteering or fostering animals in need.