Remembering Dusty the Klepto Kitty

For years, a cat named Dusty made a name for himself in San Mateo, California. While his neighbors slept, he went out and came home with things that belonged to them. He brought back more than 600 items in all. That’s how he earned the nickname “Klepto Kitty” and became famous around the world.

These days, the neighbors can leave their things outside without wondering what Dusty might carry off. Still, they never expected to miss their little cat burglar so much after he passed away.

How Dusty Became the Klepto Kitty

Dusty was a Snowshoe cat born on March 20, 2006. Jean Chu and Jim Coleman adopted him from the Peninsula Humane Society and brought him home to San Mateo, California.

For the first two years, Dusty was a quiet, sweet cat. Then Jean and Jim started finding things around the house that they’d never seen before. Neither of them knew where the items came from.

They wondered if Dusty had brought them in. The idea seemed far-fetched, so they brushed it off. Soon enough, their quiet cat would give them a reason to think again.

How Dusty Got His Nickname

Dusty started bringing home his finds in 2008. By early 2011, his nighttime trips had made him a TV star. He appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats.

The crew behind Must Love Cats set up night-vision cameras that switched on when they detected movement. Sure enough, the cameras caught Dusty in the act.

Dish towels topped the list of things Dusty carried home. Here’s what his haul included from 2011 onward.

• Cleaning and household items — 213 dish towels, 16 car wash mitts, 7 sponges, 7 washcloths, 5 towels, 3 aprons, and 1 blanket.
• Clothes and accessories — 73 socks, 18 shoes, 8 bathing suits, 4 pairs of underwear, 3 leg warmers, 2 mesh bags, 1 pair of mittens, 1 pair of pajama pants, and 1 safety mask.
• Toys and other finds — 40 balls, 6 rubber toys, 2 Frisbees, 1 bag of water balloons, 1 golf club head cover, and 1 dog collar.

And those were only some of the things Dusty brought home.

He was once even caught on camera carrying home a BRA.

Dusty was supposed to stay indoors. Then he discovered the dog door. Each night, he slipped out to explore the neighborhood. When he came back, he had another surprise for Jean Chu and Jim Coleman.

Dusty the Klepto Kitty Passed Away at 17

Dusty the Klepto Kitty passed away in 2023 at the age of 17. His neighbors on the Peninsula missed him more than they ever expected. For Jean Chu and Jim Coleman, the two people who gave him a home, the loss was especially hard.

Jean shared how difficult it was to adjust to life without Dusty.

“It’s been hard. You kind of still expect to see him walk in and where he slept. But, we’ll get through it.”

Jean and James always wondered what made Dusty bring so many things home. James had a theory.

“Before he would bring stuff back, I would play fetch with him, which I was kind of amazed. He was actually a better fetcher than the dogs. I don’t know if that triggered his behavior or not.”

Dusty’s Contribution To The Culture

After his first TV appearances, Dusty became famous around the world. Jean and Jim were amazed by how far their cat’s story had traveled.

Over the years, news outlets across the country and abroad covered his story. Dusty also made appearances at many events in his community.

He even served as the Grand Marshal of the Redwood City Pet Parade in May 2011 and appeared at a fundraiser for the Peninsula Humane Society in June 2011.

Dusty’s nighttime adventures even made it onto the DVD of the 2011 movie Puss in Boots. Thanks to the Animal Planet documentary, the DVD included a three-minute bonus short called Klepto Kitty.

One of Dusty’s most memorable outings took him back to the Peninsula Humane Society, the shelter where Jean and Jim adopted him. He made an appearance at its annual adoption event, where some of the items he’d brought home went on display and were sold after no one claimed them.

Remembering Dusty and His Midnight Adventures

For years, Dusty gave his neighbors plenty to talk about. Now they miss the little cat who used to carry their things home. His nighttime adventures are still part of the neighborhood’s story.

Jean and Jim hope people will remember Dusty with the same love and laughter he brought them. They put it this way:

“I hope they just remember him as just a fun cat that went out and tried to bring presents home. It’s been really amazing to us that this little cat could do that. He’s a very special ca