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Catastrophe Avoided: Missing Cats Found After Break-In at Cat Cafe

Penny Nelson
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The broken windows of Cat Town, a non-profit cat rescue center in Oakland, on Friday.  (Courtesy of Cat Town Oakland)

A cat cafe and adoption shelter in Oakland that was broken into earlier this week has some pawsitive news.

After an intruder smashed one of Cat Town’s windows, two of the shelter’s cats disappeared during the chaos. Video footage clearly shows one of the cats zipping through the broken window, a female tuxedo cat named Nadia.

Nadia, one of the cats that was missing after the break-in, was found at a nearby construction site and cleaned up.
Nadia, one of the cats that was missing after the break-in, was found at a nearby construction site and cleaned up. (Courtesy of Cat Town Oakland)

No one spotted the second missing cat on the video, so Cat Town managers notified the construction crew next door.

“We thought that would be a likely place for the cat to go," said Ann Dunn, Cat Town executive director. "As it turned out, we were right."

Daniel Johnstone of Johnstone Moyer, Inc recovered Nadia, one of the missing cats from Cat Town, from his nearby construction site.
Daniel Johnstone of Johnstone Moyer, Inc recovered Nadia, one of the missing cats from Cat Town, from his nearby construction site. (Courtesy of Cat Town Oakland)

After the construction crew revved up their equipment, a startled Nadia dashed across a muddy vacant lot. She dove into a small opening to hide once more.

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Daniel Johnston, who works at the site, tried to grab her. As he pulled her out, the frightened feline bit him. But, in an awkward embrace, he carried a squirmy Nadia down the block to Cat Down where Dunn just happened to be standing at the front door.

“He walked up with this cat completely covered in mud. I didn’t even recognize her. And he handed her to me,” said Dunn. “It’s a minor miracle that that all happened and we were able to get her back safely, so quickly.”

Purrfect. But what about the second missing cat?

“We have a happy ending there, as well. He was actually deep in hiding inside of Cat Town," Dunn said. "We had a bunch of volunteers helping us outside last night looking for him while somebody sat inside, and around midnight he popped his head out and let us know he was safe too. So, all is well."

London, one of the cats feared missing, was discovered hiding in our adoption center.
London, one of the cats feared missing, was discovered hiding in our adoption center. (Courtesy of Cat Town Oakland)

Cat Town itself is a cat adoption facility next door to a café. Visitors can sign up for time-slots to hang out with a dozen or so cats up for adoption.

About the broken window, Dunn said that Cat Town is a nonprofit and would appreciate any support.

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