A Saratoga Springs family is desperately seeking the public’s help to locate their cherished cat, Kane, who went missing after an incident involving a local business, . The owner of the deli allegedly took Kane and left him outside the Saratoga County Animal Shelter after hours, leading to animal cruelty charges.
Jamie DiGiovanni, Kane’s owner, recounted to CBS 6 the last time she saw her beloved pet on January 4th. Kane, affectionately known in their neighborhood as the “Mayor of Spring Street and Court Street,” is a much-loved indoor/outdoor cat.
Kane the cat, known as the 'Mayor of Spring Street', is missing in Saratoga Springs after an incident at Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria
Since November, Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria, located just a few doors down from DiGiovanni’s residence on Spring Street in Saratoga Springs, had become a regular haunt for Kane. Employees, taking a liking to the feline, began feeding him scraps and allowing him inside the establishment.
“The employees of Spring Street Deli, out of the kindness of their heart, gave Kane scrap food, which caused him to want to return when he was outside,” DiGiovanni explained, noting that Kane became a familiar and welcomed presence at the deli. Customers often enjoyed his company.
“He would follow consumers into the restaurant and just hang out during the day,” DiGiovanni said. “I have him sleeping on chairs, and no issues.” This amicable situation, however, changed when the deli owner became aware of Kane’s visits.
On January 3rd, Anthony Gargano, the owner of Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria, informed DiGiovanni that he no longer wanted Kane in his deli. DiGiovanni stated she understood and agreed, also mentioning to Gargano that Kane’s frequent visits began because he was being fed at the deli.
The following day, January 4th, DiGiovanni called Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria, requesting employees to stop feeding Kane and to put him outside if he entered the premises. Tragically, that night, Kane did not return home.
After a weekend of worry, DiGiovanni contacted the deli again on Monday, January 8th. She spoke with Anthony Gargano directly, mentioning Kane had been missing since Thursday and inquired if he had seen him. Gargano reportedly said “no”.
Two days later, the devastating truth emerged. DiGiovanni received a call from the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, revealing Kane’s disappearance was linked to the Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria owner.
“I get a call from the Saratoga County Animal Shelter saying that it was on video Kane being dropped off on Thursday, January 4, at 5:57 p.m. with no shelter, no cage, no nothing, and that an arrest was made for animal cruelty and that the person confessed on body camera,” DiGiovanni recounted.
Surveillance footage still of a vehicle at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, relevant to the Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria missing cat case
The person in question was allegedly Anthony Gargano, owner of Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria. He now faces charges of animal cruelty under New York State’s Agriculture and Markets Law.
Because the shelter was closed when Kane was left, DiGiovanni fears her cat, unfamiliar with the area, may have sought refuge in the nearby woods. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Kane wandering in confusion over ten miles from home before disappearing from sight.
For DiGiovanni’s family, the situation is particularly heart-wrenching. “Kane was a gift to my son, my 14-year-old from my husband who had passed away almost three years ago, his stepdad, and Kane has really helped him through the emotional and anxiety of losing his step father,” DiGiovanni shared. “And it bothers me because my son is suffering because of this.”
DiGiovanni mentioned that the animal shelter recognized Kane because he had been brought there once before when mistakenly identified as a stray, highlighting his familiarity with the shelter staff, yet adding to the distress of his abandonment in the closed facility’s vicinity.
The family’s sole focus is now on bringing Kane home safely. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to gather reward money for Kane’s safe return. By Monday midnight, the community’s generosity had already raised over $900.
CBS 6 contacted Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria but were informed that Gargano was unavailable. Attempts to reach his attorney are also underway, with the news station awaiting a response. The Saratoga Springs community holds its breath, hoping for Kane’s swift and safe return, and for answers from Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria.
