Three of the five pet stores listed either didn't answer, were disconnected, or went directly to voicemail. The fourth said they didn't specialize in cats, only Ktahazarnian Toothdragons; which only left one store left. Luckily, this one did carry cats and- fortuitously- happens to have a black cat in stock... though it had no white markings. They even delivered. Fancy that.
Poor Snookums had indeed shuffled off this mortal coil-- as evidenced by the Xs it had for eyes and its tongue sticking out of the side of its mouth. Although, suspiciously enough, Snookums was still breathing, albeit slowly...