Dusty the cat has a real problem. He's a bit of a kleptomaniac.
The San Mateo cat has swiped over 600 items from his neighbors, says the Chron, and he has animal behaviorists confused as to why.
"It's extreme, but it's absolutely adorable," said Marilyn Krieger, a cat behavior consultant in Redwood City. "I can't say exactly why he's doing it, except it has to do with mixed-up neurotransmitters. I think it's a form of OCD."
Dusty's preferred time of thieving is usually at night, and began about four years ago after he was adopted from the Peninsula Humane Society.
"I noticed a piece of latex glove on the bed one morning and told my husband he should do a better job cleaning up his work stuff," said Jean Chu, a dentist. "He said, 'It wasn't me. I think it was the cat.' "
Every morning, Dusty returns home with his booty, including everything from gloves, towels, Crocs, swim trunks, and even a Giants cap.
He even stole one neighbor's bikini.
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"He did it in two trips. He was very focused on keeping the ensemble. When it went missing I wasn't worried, though. I knew where to go."
Chu says she tries to return the items to the rightful owners, but if she can't find them, she has two lost-and-found boxes in her dining room full of the cat's loot.
Dusty is now making appearances, and will be at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA on Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and again from 6::30 to 9 p.m.
