Cat Burglar Turns to Philanthropy After Getting Caught “Stealing” Money

Published: Apr 26, 2022

The word “cat” is only two letters away from the word “cash.” Coincidence? Most likely, yes. But regardless, the “cat burglar” above developed a fondness for cash. From his safe perch behind a glass door, he scratched at any dollar bills stuck through. Perhaps he liked the smell of money, perhaps he liked the look of George Washington, or perhaps he just liked the attention.

It was the purr-fect crime. This cat just couldn’t resist the sight of a crisp dollar bill. However, his love for the greenback has led to some positive effects for those in the community. Let’s take a look at the Cashnip Kitty’s story right meow!

Sir Whines a Lot

Cashnip Kitty wasn’t always known as “Cashnip Kitty.” In fact, his life started out with a far less glamorous name – “Sir Whines a Lot.” Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sir Whines a Lot spent his early years at the Tulsa Animal Welfare Shelter. 

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Images via Facebook/Cashnip Kitty

Life wasn’t purr-fect at the shelter. In fact, it was hard – hence the whines that made him notorious among employees. One day a man came into the shelter, heard the whines, and decided to adopt Sir Whines a Lot. 

From the Shelter to the Office

Life improved quite a lot for Sir Whines a Lot. Rather than spending his days in a shelter surrounded by other lost and lonely pets waiting to be adopted, he was able to explore an office. Now, the office environment might get a little bland for humans, but for cats, it’s a place of wonder. 

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Alongside sprawling out for a nap on a nice floor, couch, or coffee table, a curious cat can play with swivel chairs and computer desks – or even the always fascinating computer mouse! 

Finding the Best Seat in the Office

Needless to say, life was much better at the office than at the animal shelter. Soon, Sir Whines a Lot settled on a favorite spot to nap – right next to the glass door. More specifically, on the welcome mat in front of the glass door. 

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via FOX 23 Tulsa

Although this was inconvenient for humans who had to juggle coffee while stepping over a cat, Sir Whines a Lot didn’t care. He enjoyed the filtered sunlight coming through and the ability to keep an eye out for birds and mice outside.

New Talent is Born

After settling into his new office home and finding his favorite seat, Sir Whines a Lot set about learning a new talent – a very profitable talent. Building on his handsome looks, he convinced quite a few humans to slip dollar bills through the glass door. 

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Screenshot via FOX 23 Tulsa

When the bills were through, Sir Whines a Lot would snatch them up with his claws … and then haphazardly throw them aside. He loved the chase of getting money, but wasn’t too concerned with keeping it in a safe spot.

Time for a New Name

The other employees at the office – a marketing firm in Tulsa – soon found stray dollars scattered around the welcome mat. They checked their wallets and purses to see if anything fell. Then, they turned to the cat. 

Image via Instagram

One enterprising employee grabbed a dollar, went outside, and stuck it through the glass door. Sure enough, Sir Whines a Lot snatched it back. This changed everything. Sir Whines a Lot was a terrible name for a clever cat like this – so, they renamed him Cashnip Kitty (cue epic music). 

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Collecting Money

Cashnip was quite good at collecting donations. At nighttime, when everything quieted down a bit, people came by the dozens to stick dollar bills through the crack in the door and watch as Cashnip scooped them away. He built up quite the pile of cash.

Screenshot via FOX 23 Tulsa

The next question was, “what do we do with all the cash?” Cashnip, most likely, would have blown it on catnip and other treats. The humans in the office had different plans – they decided to donate the money. 

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A Worthy Cause

Once the humans decided to donate the money, they needed to figure out where to donate it. For that, they turned to Cashnip’s life story. Since he was once homeless, they decided to donate it to a local homeless shelter in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Image via Facebook/Cashnip Kitty

“It seems fitting,” said Stuart McDaniel, the founder of GuRuStu and the owner of the office where Cashnip Kitty lives. As the money pile piled up, it, in turn, attracted more people who gave more donations that Cashnip scooped up.

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Cashnip Kitty Becomes Famous

As the donations grew, so did Cashnip Kitty’s fame. This led to employees writing and posting a sign on the front door. It included a dire warning that “CASHnip Kitty is a hustler with a philanthropic heart.” 

Alongside letting passers-by know that Cashnip “will snatch your money,” they also added that “All donations go to the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless.” A Facebook page was set up to track the weekly donations and people loved to check in with the infamous kitty to see how he was doing.

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The Fame and Influence Grows

Soon that Facebook page became known outside the local community of Tulsa. Popular sites like Bored Panda and The Dodo told the tale of Cashnip Kitty – and spread his name to thousands of new readers. 

Alongside internet fame, he became a fixture on the local scene and was dubbed the “Third Street Kitty.” A nearby business even donated a mini-sofa to the famous cat. Now, Cashnip could spend half his time on the mat and half his time on his new sofa. 

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Cashnip Kitty Brings Good Luck and Donations

The coverage of Cashnip on popular websites helped to spread the story internationally. Since most people weren’t able to hop on a plane to Tulsa to slip a dollar through the door, they decided to donate online or send cute cards filled with cash. 

Image via Facebook/Cashnip Kitty

Pictures of Cashnip with the cards went up on his Facebook page – which ballooned in popularity. Alongside donations to the office, quite a few Cashnip supporters also sent donations directly to the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless. All in all, this special kitty has brought a lot of good luck and helped a lot of people.

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