The kitty doesn't seem to like you...
His form may have changed, but when you go to pick him up, the kitty scratches at your hand (2 points of damage) and backs up hissing. It appears he's still rather nasty. HOwever, it's also fairly smart, and runs away out the door, zooming past everyone before they can respond.
Meanwhile, you hear the as-yet-unnamed wizard yell "WHY IN THE BLUE HELLS DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?" and Al drops to his rear end laughing.