Cat Santa or Cat Burgler?
Is Frankie the Cat amassing toys to distribute to all good cats and kittens at Christmas, or is he a cat burgler maliciously stealing toys from all his neighbor cats?
This stealthy UK cat burglar has a particular affinity for toy leopards — he’s brought home over 15 in the last year. And he’s gotten his claws into 35 teddies and soft toys, obviously from neighbor’s homes
He drags each one of his finds through the catflap before depositing them on exactly the same spot in the living room.
His owner, Julie Bishop, said, “Frankie looks very pleased with himself when he comes in with these presents. He’s been going out of the house and coming back with all these toys for pretty much as long as he’s been allowed out. They’re all soft toys for cats I think. About 15 of them are all the same leopard. He doesn’t really play with them. He dumps them down and goes out looking for something else.”
Frankie’s 2008 haul has included teddy bears, leopards and a giant squeaky beefburger. So, Julie has plastered her home town of Swindon with posters to locate the rightful owners and return the toys to their homes.
Julie got Frankie from a Wiltshire farm in 2006. She said, ‘I’d be interested to find out what’s happening when he goes out. Frankie is quite independent and comes in and out of the cat flap all through the day and night. He’s quite a friendly cat and likes to sleep on your shoulder, although he lets you know if he wants to be on his own.’ (Sounds like Frankie needs a Cooper Cam!)
Two weeks ago Frankie stole two green witch’s heads. (Perhaps he’ll use them to cast a spell on Julie to compel her to buy him more Temptations!) He has also swiped a range of old socks, nappy sacks, half-eaten beefburgers and chips – as well as the traditional dead mice and birds.
My family has had its own humorous experiences with cat burglars. My Siamese, Mao, used to go dumpster diving and regularly brought home old bagels and pastries (I can’t tell you how weird it is to walk into the kitchen in the morning to find food that is not yours on the floor.) My sister’s Cat, Eddie (a gregarious Ginger), routinely scours the neighborhood for food which he hands over to their ancient diabetic Springer Spaniel. Once Eddie brought home (hauling it over the 6-foot-fence) a half-barbecued T-bone steak — hot off the grill. Another time he showed up with a live baby chicken.
Do you know of any kitty kleptos?
[PHOTO/STORY CREDIT: The Daily Mail UK]
Oh yes, done that! I once brought a whole cooked ham home throught the catflap! My Dad thought it was from someones barbecue! And a little toy football that I loved to play with for years.
Frankie could give me lessons though!
We is not allowed outiside, but I once founded a BIG STINKY FISHY and broughted it up to our room.
Boso is not allowed outside the house and never has even made an attempt to wander from his cozy home. We think it’s better that way, as we do have a lot of vishus deer, crows, and other wild critters outside. We don’t want anything bad to happen to the Bosc. A camera on Frankie would probably tell the tales of where he’s been. Maybe it would reveal some things that would be considered surprises! have a great day, Your good pal, Bosco.
o my god how hilarious!
I’m an indoor cat too so I haven’t been able to experience any ventures like Frankie. But I agree with Bosco…. I’d put a camera around Frankie’s neck and see what he is really up to! *giggles*
Um….this is bad??? I love trash tid-bits. Last night I stole ribbons from the holiday gifts. I think the LL likes that new name for me….Kaze the Klepto!
I think Frankie needs one of those cameras around his neck! Wouldn’t that be hilarious to see pictures of his stealing activities?
Um, Frankie? I am pretty sure that toy hamburger is mine.
what a hoot – good job Frankie
I pick cat santa.
That’s great. I wonder if there is one of those claw games you usually find in supermarkets somewhere and he is somehow getting in and getting the toys out. How else could he steal so many of the same toy?? He is crafty!
Those certainly don’t look like cat toys. I would be willing to bet that there is a claw machine somewhere close by. If kids can climb into them, why not a cat????