LOGAN SQUARE — Sweet Pea, Fleur’s shop cat who was stolen from the store Monday evening, is back home and safe, according to shop owner Kelly Marie Thompson.
Thompson said the cat thief’s friend, who was also seen in the shop’s surveillance video, returned Sweet Pea Tuesday evening after seeing all of the social media posts.
The woman “thought she was saving a stray,” the friend told Thompson. She “wanted to take care of Sweet Pea because she looked so frail.”
“Which is outrageous,” Thompson added.
At 17 years old, Sweet Pea is an old cat. She takes medication every couple of days and eats special food.
Thompson said the cat-napper did write her a note, apologizing for stealing Sweet Pea. But she didn’t want to return her to the store herself because she was “too embarrassed,” Thompson said.
Thompson said she still isn’t looking to press charges, but she wants the thief and her friend to know “that this is a really dumb thing to do.”
“You can’t be a vigilante. If there’s an indoor animal, and they look sick, ask why,” Thompson said. “I’m glad there are people who love animals as much as us, but there’s a responsible way and an irresponsible way to take care of them.”
The shop’s surveillance video captured the thief and her friend scooping up Sweet Pea and taking her out of the store at 2651 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Many took to social media to express outrage over the theft.
Thompson said she’s glad to report Sweet Pea is currently cuddled up in the back of store on her favorite bed.
“We gave her some food and some medicine and she’s all cuddles,” Thompson said.
Watch the surveillance video here:
