The RLong mystery has been solved.

For years, Baltimoreans wondered who was behind the hundreds of “RLong” graffiti tags across the city, often scrawled on buildings for all to see. Theories abound — that RLong is a student at the Maryland Institute College of Art, that they’re related to Robert Long, a man killed in a murder-for-hire scheme.

None of them is right. RLong is a calico kitten up for adoption from the Maryland SPCA.

Fine, she is named after the graffiti artist. But a girl can dream.

RLong is almost 3 months old and weighs about 2 pounds, according to the SPCA. She’s “beautiful” and “sensitive,” according to the adoption listing, and can be initially shy and may even hiss. The kitten usually follows her brother Anore’s lead.

RLong and Anore came to the shelter about a month ago, said Ian Gilmore, resource and intake center manager for the Maryland SPCA. A person who lives in the neighborhood and takes care of a colony of cats brought them in, Gilmore said.

The kittens went to a foster home to get ready for adoption and acclimate to people and a new environment, Gilmore said. The two calicos depend on each other, he said, and are listed as bonded, meaning people will have to adopt them together.

The SPCA often sees a surge of kitten intakes during spring and summer, Gilmore said, and the shelter tries to pick themes for names.

Gilmore, a fan of graffiti as an art form, picked graffiti artists, starting with the one he thinks is the most recognizable in the city. He wanted to honor people who share “something beautiful with everyone” but want no credit for it, he said.

In 2024, The Baltimore Banner attempted to discover RLong’s identity. A team of Banner reporters chronicled the markings across the city, identifying 131 tags. Some of them have smiley faces, bold lettering and bright colors. Others are simply black or yellow.

Gilmore hopes RLong’s identity remains a mystery. “No offense, but I hope you never find out,” he said.

People on social media had fun with the newest addition to the RLong lore.

“SO THIS IS WHOS RESPONSIBLE?!?!?!” a Reddit user commented on a post about the kitten.

Another user made a checklist: Cats are good at climbing, can fit into small places, tend to be stealthy, and generally have a complete disregard for rules.

“I would say we found her!” the user concluded.

Prospective cat parents can apply for adoption at the SPCA’s website, where they’ll have to fill out forms about what they’re looking for in a pet as well as information about their home. The adoption fee is $95.