Seven weeks ago, early Mother's Day morning, the Clocktower Animal Hospital was broken into and a large amount of medicine and vaccines were stolen.
The thief, or thieves, also took Fireball, an orange and white, long-haired Tabby cat, that everyone loved.
"He was just a wonderful, outgoing cat," said veterinarian William Swartz, Clocktower veterinarian.
Swartz said the robbery was a non-forced entry, meaning it could have possibly been "an past, older employee," or someone who had access to the hospital, located at 2451 Centreville Road in Herndon. He said they had only been broken into one other time, nine years earlier, when someone broke through an outside hallway wall and stole a small amount of medicine.
This is the first time an animal has been stolen.
Swartz said the Fairfax County police who have been working on the case have been very helpful, but told him that "the longer the time goes on, the less likely they are going to find him."
In an attempt to entice either the cat-napper, or anyone who may know where Fireball is, the hospital has offered a $1,000 reward for his safe return.
Swartz said since the announcement of the reward, the community has been helpful in trying to identify orange Tabby cats that could be the 18-pound male.
"We thought that if someone was interested in the dollars, then we'd make it irresistible," said Swartz of the reward money, but he said the cash drawer wasn't touched during the robbery.
"I am sure whoever came in didn't have the intentions of stealing an animal," said Swartz. "But, he was just mister personality, I am sure he was just talking and rubbing up against the kennel."
He explained that Fireball was being boarded for the weekend before his Monday teeth cleaning appointment.
"As a hospital we all feel terrible," he said. "Any loss of a pet ... that someone loves is hard."
Anyone with information about Fireball is encouraged to call the Clock Tower Animal Hospital at 703-713-1200.