Yes, you can sue.
But pets are treated as personal property just like a TV set. If you can replace a cat from the pound for $30 or $40 in fees that's all a court is likely to award you per cat.
A rare or exotic cat purchased from a pet store could go for more.
Some states are moving away from that doctrine and allowing damages for emotional distress. Connecticut is not one of them.
In 2002 a bill was proposed allowing for damages other than market value. It was not passed.
At best you might be awarded a few hundred for your cats and then you'd have the difficulty of collecting from somebody in prison.
Didn't you seek restitution as part of the criminal case?