'Jack Daniels,' Blind Kitten Stolen From S.F. SPCA, Turns Up -- In New York

By Joe Eskenazi Fri., Aug. 6 2010 at 7:05 AM

Categories: Animals

Jack Daniels at age three months, just prior to his theft

Don't you just love it when you find your lost Jack Daniels?

A partially blind three-month-old kitten named after the Tennessee bourbon, who was stolen in July of last year from the San Francisco SPCA, has turned up -- safe, sound, and 11 pounds -- in New York City.

According to a communique from the SPCA, Jack Daniels was found wandering stray on 110th Street in the Big Apple. He was picked up by New York Animal Care and Control -- and the embedded microchip San Francisco's SPCA planted in JD revealed his identity.

Jack Daniels will be transported back to San Francisco via Jet Blue airline's "Jet Paws" program.

At 11 pounds, it will be harder for a future thief to slip him under a jacket.

Jack Daniels is now 13 months old and weighs 11 pounds

Update, 1:45 p.m.: SPCA officials have no idea how Jack Daniels found his way to New York City. The cat was picked up in July and is scheduled to be flown back to San Francisco on Tuesday. JetBlue is offering the flight gratis; a friend of an SPCA staffer will chaperon the cat.

Tina Ahn, the SPCA's spokeswoman, says San Francisco officials have no idea what kind of condition Jack Daniels is in. He'll be checked out when he arrives, and, assuming he's healthy, put up for adoption. A fantastic struggle among San Francisco cat fanciers to adopt JD is all but certain to ensue.

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