EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — An Egyptian hairless cat with gang tattoos that police rescued from a Mexican prison has found a forever home across the border.

The cat was among nine other pets the inmates had at the Cereso No. 3 state prison in Juarez.

The cat had been tattooed with an “Hecho en Mexico” or “Made in Mexico” logo used by the Mexicles gang.

Officers searched prison cells following a prison break that left 10 guards and seven inmates dead on New Year’s Day.

These photos provided by the Chihuahua State Police show the cat that was found inside a cell at Cereso prison in Juarez after a New Year’s Day riot and jail break. (Courtesy: La Secretaría de Seguridad Pública del Estado de Chihuahua) Investigators say several heavily armed individuals rushed the prison as the gates opened to visitors and killed three guards before proceeding to a cell block where Mexicles gang leader Ernesto “El Neto” Alfredo Piñon was being held.

The assailants, identified as members of the Mexicles gang, rounded up seven prison guards and shot them execution-style before making off with “El Neto.” Police killed the gang leader in a shootout days later and have since recaptured the majority of the 30 inmates who escaped.

In addition to several animals, authorities found plasma TV sets, drugs, liquor and cash, as well as musical instruments, and even a mechanical bull inside several cells.

The cat was put up for adoption, and immediately garnered interest from hundreds of people around the world.

A special committee set up by the city of Juarez whittled the number of adoption applicants to 10, including seven from the U.S., two from Juarez and one from the state of Oaxaca. The committee reportedly voted unanimously to have the cat sent to a new country, thus sending it to the U.S.

The adoption was not without controversy. Local animal shelters ask authorities to let the public know that they, too, have hundreds of cats up for adoption, and not focus on just one cat.

The identity of the tattooed cat’s new owner will not be unveiled for safety reasons.

adampsyreal t1_jaqwinr wrote on March 3, 2023 at 12:19 PM

#2,150,714

That cat could be a hardened criminal! Why are we just releasing it from jail without a hearing?

lizzie1hoops t1_jar04oq wrote on March 3, 2023 at 12:54 PM

#2,150,858

Replying to OG_Illusion (#2,150,571)

Thank you for posting this. In case folks think this is referring to some special pet police unit, Chihuahua is a state in northern Mexico.

DefinitionMission144 t1_jarapk3 wrote on March 3, 2023 at 2:24 PM

#2,151,414

Replying to adampsyreal (#2,150,714)

To be fair, every cat is a hardened criminal. Adorable little murderers they are

GubytheHuby t1_jarfm4l wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:01 PM

#2,151,724

I know the person who adopted the cat! Can’t say anytbing about who they are for safety reasons but the videos they sent were heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Truly a lovely cat but seeing it with tattoos was so sad. The person who adopted the cat is a great person and will love this cat how it deserves to be loved

xenascus t1_jarh4ij wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:11 PM

#2,151,804

El Cato

m_nieto t1_jari14m wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:17 PM

#2,151,860

Replying to GubytheHuby (#2,151,724)

Are they going to see about getting the tattoos removed? Poor baby, how is her health? I am unreasonably concerned about this cat.

flashtrack1 t1_jarj67c wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:25 PM

#2,151,914

What a crazy jailbreak story

GubytheHuby t1_jarj8yg wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:26 PM

#2,151,917

Replying to m_nieto (#2,151,860)

They took it to a vet yesterday. Overall healthy, has some PTSD with Loud noises and random touching (like if you pick it up without the cat hearing you) it will freak out a little. Has some infections in its eyes and lungs but it’s a common fix with medication. The tattoos will never be removed as it would cause more pain, so for now it wears a full body jacket to cover it. And they recommended having the cat outside as much as possible to socialize in a normal environment. If I could send pictures I would but for their safety I won’t until they come public (if that ever happens)

thedudesews t1_jarkize wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:34 PM

#2,151,990

Replying to SnooOranges4231 (#2,150,452)

Hello FBI this person right here

urmomaisjabbathehutt t1_jarl1i9 wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:38 PM

#2,152,016

Replying to xenascus (#2,151,804)

hey some cats bring micee or bird presents, this one brings blow

m_nieto t1_jarm649 wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:45 PM

#2,152,070

Replying to GubytheHuby (#2,151,917)

I’m so glad the cat is healthy for the most part. Everything else can be healed with love and care. It sucks the tattoos can’t be removed but totally understandable. No need to post pics or anything like that, those memories are long and I’m sure that cat would be a prize. Wish the new pet parents and kitty luck and sending love their way.

GubytheHuby t1_jarnf62 wrote on March 3, 2023 at 3:53 PM

#2,152,138

Replying to m_nieto (#2,152,070)

I’ll update this thread from what they send/find out. It will have a truly loving home.

[deleted] t1_jaru22o wrote on March 3, 2023 at 4:37 PM

#2,152,430

Replying to urmomaisjabbathehutt (#2,152,016)

[removed]

DJScrambles t1_jaruiiw wrote on March 3, 2023 at 4:40 PM

#2,152,458

Replying to m_nieto (#2,151,860)

I would never never tattoo a cat.

But if I rescued a cat that was previously tattooed by a mexican cartel, I would definitely leave it as adopting an ex-Mexican cartel gangbanger cat is probably the most bad ass cat adoption story possible

Not to mention tattoo removal is painful