Source: The Guardian
In Frigiliana, Spain, three cats—Daisy, Dora, and Manchita—have been stealing a variety of items, including socks, gloves, and baby clothes, amassing over 100 objects monthly. Unlike typical cat behavior of bringing home prey, this phenomenon puzzled researchers. Auke-Florian Hiemstra from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, intrigued by the cats’ actions, hopes to study this unusual behavior. The cats’ owner, Rachel Womack, struggles to return the stolen items, making neighborly interactions awkward.
Similar cases include Charlie from Bristol and Dusty from California, both notorious for pilfering household items. Researchers speculate that these thefts might be driven by a desire for attention, extended hunting behavior, or removing smelly items from their territory. Reinforcing attention when cats bring items home could perpetuate this behavior. Experts recommend ignoring the cat or removing the item to discourage the habit, as cats are likely doing it for self-satisfaction rather than as gifts.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jul/20/cat-burglars-scientists-try-to-solve-mystery-of-why-felines-steal-random-objects