ABOUT ME-OW
Hi there! I’m Juno, “the Klepto Kat,” and I’m a fabulous domestic shorthair with a snazzy black-and-white tuxedo coat. I was discovered in the bustling streets of West Los Angeles, CA, with my three siblings from a feral litter. Luckily, in 2015, I found my forever home with the wonderful Geston family in Carpinteria, CA.
I’m proud to say I was born on Cinco de Mayo, 5/5/15—a day meant for celebration! My first name was Indiana, thanks to my adventurous spirit, but my new family decided to call me Juno since I was adopted in June. They might’ve changed my name, but I’m still the same petite powerhouse!
From my curious kitten days to now being Juno, “the Klepto Kat,” I love to explore, snatch up treasures, and bring a little adventure into my home—just call me your furry little bandit!
Let me share a tale about my first homecoming! I was not your average sweet kitty—I was more of a little furball with a wild side. I was whisked away from my orphaned littermates at just 5 weeks old, leaving my innocent days behind. Jumping into the human world was like diving onto a moving train! At first, keeping me indoors was quite the adventure—let's say I was a self-proclaimed terror of the toy aisle, attacking anything that dared to wiggle! Who can resist a good pounce or scratch? Life with me was never dull! 🐾✨
Eventually, my humans decided to let me venture outside on supervised adventures. What a game changer that was! I discovered the great outdoors, and guess what? My kitty attacks started to decrease, and I became a lot calmer. Before long, my outdoor time increased, and by the time I turned 6 months old, I had transformed into a much sweeter and more loving version of myself.
Now that I’m older and wiser, I’ve embraced my independence and made the outside world my playground. I’ve got my own schedule: I head out early in the morning to explore the neighborhood, and like clockwork, I come home for breakfast and dinner. During the day, I snooze peacefully, and I’m usually back indoors by dark, ready for a little bedtime snack before curling up for the night. Life is pretty purrfect!
For a few years, my family has noticed all sorts of items popping up in our backyard—rubber gloves, rags, toys, and balls. At first, they thought the neighbors’ kids were tossing stuff over the fence. But in June 2019, about four years after I joined the family, they shared a post on social media about my little collecting habit. Little did they know that was just the start of my kleptomania adventures!
Back then, they had seen only a handful of items I had amassed, but by October, the count jumped to 60! By the end of 2019, I had gathered over 132 treasures. I love my early morning strolls around the neighborhood, especially on Thursdays—trash day! That's when I scout for loose bits of treasure to bring home. My most productive months are from spring to early fall, and my owner officially dubbed spring my "Klepto Season."
I’ve collected gloves, rags, and some pretty wild finds like a leather knife holder, astroturf, safety vests, combs, stuffed toys, and clothing. I may look cute and innocent, but I’m a crafty thief! Over the past four and a half years, I’ve stolen more than a thousand items from unsuspecting neighbors. From June 2019 to December 2025, my collection has ballooned to over 2052 treasures, all meticulously cataloged by my owner in spreadsheets. Oh, and let's not forget—I’ve starred in hundreds of videos showcasing my thieving antics!
I was affectionately called "the catnip of media." It’s been an amazing adventure so far! You may have heard me on KCLU/NPR or seen my features in NoozHawk and the Summer Edition of Carpinteria Magazine. I even made the front page of the Santa Barbara News-Press—what an honor!
But that’s not all; I’ve had my moments on local TV news channel KEYT and Animal Zone TV (Season 4, Segment 11). My charm has spread beyond the borders, too, with blog features that reach the UK, Europe, France, Germany, Japan, and more1
When the pandemic hit, I decided to become my neighborhood's little superhero. I started bringing home used plastic gloves, face masks, and sanitizing wipes, adding them to my collection of treasures. My cleaning crusade earned me some serious affection from the community for “cleaning up the hood,” and I swear, I could see smiles even through the masks during those “Stay Safe, Stay Home” days. My friends and neighbors would joke about my tireless efforts, saying things like, “We could use someone like this in politics!”
By late summer 2020, my fans had a brilliant idea: they wanted to support me in a run for honorary mayor and launch a “smile campaign” for our coastal town. With all the craziness going on and everyone stuck at home, they thought it’d be a hoot to throw my paws into the political ring. But, of course, there were a few tiny hiccups: I can’t legally run because I’m not 18 (that’s 36 in cat years), I’m not a registered voter, and—let’s face it—I’m a cat! But a kitty can dream, right?
As Juno the klepto-cat, I'm on a mission to do my civic duty here in Carpinteria! With my trusty red “catpaign” stroller, I hit the streets, handing out “Vote Fur Her - The Purrfect Choice” buttons, window posters, and yard signs like tasty treats. Cleaning up the community is my cat-form of activism, and let’s be honest, with all those gloves, masks, and disinfectant wipes littering the streets, someone had to step up!
I’m pawsitively excited about my idea to organize a "Klepto Klean-Up Krew" once life gets back on track. Sure, I may not have made it onto the ballot on Election Day, but that doesn’t stop me from clawing my way into the hearts of my fellow residents. I'm determined to raise awareness about keeping Carpinteria—and our precious environment—clean and tidy.
In the picture below, you can see me at a candidate meet-and-greet, purring with support for our fabulous Mayor Wade Nomura of Carpinteria, CA. Who knows? One day, I just might hold an honorary office myself! Until then, I’ll keep spreading the word and fluffing my fur!
I just love giving back! I've been on a mission to support local animal shelters by donating $1 for every rag I sell (I made 225 of them!) by Giving Tuesday on November 30, 2021. Thanks to a fantastic Facebook campaign, my donations were matched, making it even better!
In my name, donations have also gone to various animal rescue organizations, including helping animal shelters and welfare efforts in Ukraine during the war. I even helped host a community art project that won the 'People's Choice' award! My hope was to donate funds to an animal organization if the piece sold. While it didn’t find a new home just yet, I’m optimistic that it will bring value to a lucky organization someday, and a donation can be made in my name. After all, every bit helps when it comes to our furry friends!
