An unlikely burglar is lurking in the neighborhood.
In the lively and peaceful community of Katy, Texas, residents were puzzled by the random disappearances of their belongings. And when security camera recordings were reviewed, they were met with a shocking revelation.
The “thief” was none other than Cleo – a cat.
Cleo’s owner, Jeanne Wheat, finds herself amused and apologetic about her four-legged companion’s doings. She admits, “I feel compelled to apologize because some of the items he’s ‘recovered,’ like a pair of expensive women’s shapewear, are quite a loss.”
Initially, Cleo was content to lounge around the house, basking in the warmth of sunbeams and the occasional catnip toy. But something suddenly changed, and Cleo decided to go ransacking neighbors’s stuff.
When summer arrived, Cleo’s thieving exploits reached their peak.
“This summer, while we were away, he became quite bold with his thievery,” Wheat recounts. “Some neighbors even told me that he made a dramatic entrance through their open windows.”
That’s right, folks – Cleo isn’t your average petty thief; he’s a true cat-burglar, scaling walls and slipping through windows to grow his stash of stolen goods.
As usual, Cleo loves mice.
But wait, it’s actually not the type of mouse that we have in mind.
“He once made off with a computer mouse, still in its packaging,” Wheat recalled.
So, if you’re missing a computer mouse and happen to reside in Katy, Cleo might be your prime suspect.
As Cleo’s reputation continued to soar, Wheat started feeling somewhat embarrassed. In response, she took action. She diligently washed all of Cleo’s stolen loot and placed it outside her home, accompanied by a sign that read, “I apologize on his behalf. Please come and reclaim your belongings.”
It’s almost like a reverse yard sale, all thanks to Cleo’s criminal escapades.
Now, you might assume that the neighbors would be infuriated by their vanishing possessions, but you’d be wrong. Cleo has become a sensation, capturing the hearts and funny bones of the community.
Cleo made quite a name for himself on the internet.
“The most discussed topic on our neighborhood’s Facebook page,” Wheat proudly admits.
Cleo’s newfound fame even led to some entrepreneurial opportunities. The community collaborated to create T-shirts featuring the klepto-kitty, with a portion of the profits going to a local animal shelter.
“Everyone just finds it delightful and amusing,” Wheat said. She was simply amazed at how her pet’s mischievous behavior had turned into a force for good.
As for the psychology behind Cleo’s thieving tendencies, it’s not as simple as feline kleptomania. Dr. Roberta Westbrook of the Houston SPCA offers a more nuanced explanation: “I’ve seen this behavior in cats with a strong substrate affinity.”
Substrate affinity in cats refers to their preference or attraction to specific surfaces or materials for activities like scratching, digging, or waste elimination. Cats have individual substrate preferences, and understanding these can help provide appropriate environmental enrichment and training. For instance, some cats may prefer to scratch cardboard, while others lean towards sisal or carpet. Offering suitable substrates can satisfy a cat’s natural instincts and deter them from damaging furniture or engaging in undesirable behavior.
Despite Cleo’s newfound fame and the community’s affection, Wheat has attempted to curb his criminal activities.
“I scolded him a bit, hoping we could break the habit,” Wheat admits. “But then I realized it was a futile effort. After all, he’s essentially a teenager.”
Know more about Cleo’s “crimes” in the video below.
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