Kittens Taken Into Canarsie Police Custody, Photos Show

CANARSIE, BROOKLYN — An unruly gang of New York City kittens found themselves in the hands of Canarsie cops last week, officials said.

Four 8-week-old kittens — Yodel, Yoyo, Yip, and Freya — landed in the laps of officers at Canarsie's 69th Precinct on Foster and Rockway avenue Thursday afternoon but were not charged with any crimes, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

But ASPCA workers did encourage cops to take the kittens into custody ... by which they meant foster care.

The event was meant partially as a thank you to officers whose jobs entail the rescue of "all kinds of critters," said Gemma Smith, Administrative Manager, ASPCA Kitten Nursery.

“The ASPCA is thrilled that the animal-loving officers of the 69th Precinct got the opportunity to care for these kittens, even just for a few hours," Smith said.

And precinct officials described the visit as "a purrrrfect break for the cops," on Twitter.

Can we keep ‘em? Can we? Can we?? Thanks to the @ASCPA for letting our cops in the @NYPD69Pct in Brooklyn foster these tiny kittens for a few hours. They managed to bring a smile out of even our toughest cops. Want to foster? https://t.co/2nuapCAr8e pic.twitter.com/mPgs8uFzvC
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 17, 2019

But the animal rescue organization also hoped to raise awareness that New York City is in the throws of kitten season, the six-month period from April until October when cat birthrates spike and the Upper East Side ASPCA Kitten Nursery becomes inundated with hundreds of stray kittens too young to adopt.

"The ASPCA Kitten Nursery is looking foster caregivers with flexible schedules who can provide frequent bottle-feeding, gentle cleanings and lots of attention for very young kittens,” said Smith.

So the ASPCA gave officers the chance to play with the tiny cats and learn about the ASPA kitten fostering program, which links up young cats with temporary owners who commit to their care.

"We’re hoping their experience inspires other New Yorkers to open their hearts and homes to become foster caregivers this season," Smith said.

While none of the officers were able to take home a kitten, the cats didn't stay on the lam for long.

Yoyo and Freya were adopted by foster parents after the event, and Yodel and Yip were adopted this weekend, the ASPCA said.

New Yorkers interested in fostering can sign up for two ASPCA information sessions in Manhattan on June 30 at 1 p.m.

All photos courtesy of the ASPCA