5 days ago
Cat Goes Out—Owner Unsure if 'Proud or Concerned' Over What They Bring Home
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A cat has gained viral attention after she was caught on camera with an unexpected, and highly coveted, item in her mouth.
Coco the ragdoll cat was filmed with a Labubu plush toy, a sharp-toothed figurine that has become a must-have worldwide. The TikTok video showing Coco proudly trotting home with the toy in tow has amassed almost 500,000 views, unleashing a flood of hilarity and admiration.
"Coco stole someone's Labubu and bought it home. Idk [I don't know] if I should be proud or concerned," poster @ said in a comment. The caption joked: "Coco begins her career as a cat burglar."
The Labubu Obsession Grows
Labubu, created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and produced by POPMART, has exploded from underground art darling to global pop culture icon in the last year.
Distributed primarily in "blind boxes," adding an air of mystery, Labubu figures have become cult favorites, appearing in the hands of celebrities like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and David Beckham. The high-fashion market has even embraced the plush toys, with figures appearing on high-end Hermès Birkin bags and in the pages of Vogue magazine.
A picture from the video of Coco the cat with her unexpected discovery.
A picture from the video of Coco the cat with her unexpected discovery.
@
In 2024, producer POPMART reported revenue of over 13 billion yuan ($1.79 billion), more than double the amount made in the year before.
Thanks to their popularity, some limited-edition figures resell for up to $7,000, while a towering 4-foot version fetched over $170,000 at a Beijing auction this past June. Counterfeits—nicknamed "Lafufus"—have flooded the market as demand outpaces supply.
"Random cat even got a Labubu before me," viewer Jess posted in the comments on the TikTok video. PotatoWithLipstickkau wrote: "She better find herself a Birkin to put it on now."
"Hmmmm … are we allowed to put orders in?" asked a third TikTok viewer.
Emily-sue said, "Consumerism has spread to cats," and Nadia wrote: "Not gonna lie, she looks so proud and happy. If I caught her stealing mine, I'd let her have it."
This isn't the first time a feline has gained attention for a crafty theft. Earlier this year, a woman apologized to her neighbors when she realized her cat kept bringing home sponges from people's houses. And, last year, a cat was caught red-handed after coming home with the neighbor's chicken dinner in tow.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
