The kitten stolen from a Shakopee pet store has been returned, a Petland employee confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Someone left the gray 8-week-old Persian outside the Shakopee store Tuesday morning. 

"I got an anonymous call that she was dropped off in the back and she was out there in a box," said Jessy Diaz, the store's fish manager.

The woman on the phone told Diaz that the person who took the kitten was scared, prompting the animal's safe return.

The kitten, who appeared to be in good health, was taken by police Tuesday for a physical examination at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley. Once that is complete, she will be returned to the store to be reunited with her mother and two siblings, said owner Jeff Latko.

Police are still investigating to identify and locate a woman seen taking the kitten. The woman was videotaped as she took the animal.

The cat and three kittens, believed to be a Persian domestic mix, have had a rough two weeks. They were abandoned outside the store on Memorial Day, Diaz said, and he was working when someone knocked hard on the door to say that some cats were outside in small kennel. 

"They are beautiful and precious," Diaz said.

Store officials put the value of the kitten at about $500. None are available yet for purchase because they are still nursing, Diaz added.

Latko said this is the second time since the store opened four years ago that an animal has been stolen. Several years ago, a pug was taken, but it was also returned.

Those with information about the crime are asked to call the Shakopee Police Tip Line at (952) 233-9499 or email the tip to http://tiny.cc/SPD_TIP411.

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