The owner discovered seven of her cats were nowhere to be found when she returned to the shop at around 9 am and reported to the police.

The seven stolen cats included the mother cat and six kittens born about two weeks ago.

The woman surnamed Yau rented three stalls at the Heung Che Street Market and Cooked Food Centre, with two used for holding the cat cages and other miscellaneous items.

Yau said she started raising cats for ten months to deter rats and added that the cats were given to her by the vegetable stall owners.

She said that as long as the thieves return the cats, she is willing not to hold them accountable and is planning to increase security by locking up the cage door properly.