While Dusty the Klepto Cat may be infamous for the volume of his nightly heists in San Mateo—approximately 600 items over the last three years, according to Jean Chu, guardian of the 5-year old Siamese cat—he also gives back.
On Saturday, Dusty headlined the Peninsula Humane Society's "Steal Your Heart" adoption marathon, and appeared outside the facility dressed in a black-and-white striped jail costume made by Chu—complete with hat.
To promote adoption, the Peninsula Humane Society offered 50 percent off all adoption fees on Saturday only.
Chu and her family adopted Dusty when he was just a kitten at the Peninsula Humane Society in 2006. He's now 5 years old and weighs 15 pounds.
Despite the cooing crowd that surrounded him, Dusty appeared calm as he sat amongst tables filled with the objects he has brought back to his family's San Mateo home. Included on the table were towels, sponges, gloves, and a pair of Converse shoes. The most famous items—a stuffed dragon toy and pair of men's black briefs shown on the "Animal Planet" TV show segment about Dusty—were on the table as well.
Dusty has also appeared on the "Late Show With David Letterman" and ABC-7 news.
An astonishing amount of white, light green and orange-colored small towels (over 100, according to Chu) were stacked up on the table.
Chu embroidered each with a paw print and the words "DUSTY Klepto Kitty" on each towel with her sewing machine.
Visitors could pick a towel to take home with a donation to the Peninsula Humane Society. Though they had been washed, the towels were au naturel—meaning that some twigs and other bits of debris that had collected on its surface as Dusty dragged it home remained.
Next to the towels was a showcase of Dusty's latest exploits: several small plastic bags filled with rocks used by gardeners to advertise services. Chu said that since the neighbors are putting their belongings away now, Dusty is bringing home a lot of these rock-bags and plastic bags instead.
To read more information about adoption from the Peninsula Humane Society, click here.
