An Amazon delivery driver caught on video taking a cat from a family’s doorstep in Bakersfield has asserted that the animal is his own missing pet. Joshua Gonzalez, the driver involved in the widely shared incident, said he recognized the cat, named Junie, by its distinctive forehead markings, eye shape, and body structure while making a delivery.

Gonzalez stated he subsequently took the cat, believing it had wandered off and belonged to him. He has since provided adoption paperwork dating to October 9, 2025, which he says confirms his ownership. The driver explained that he adopted the cat for his 7-year-old daughter and has shared these documents with his employer, a third-party delivery service. Following the incident, Amazon confirmed that Gonzalez is no longer authorized to deliver packages on its behalf.

The current custodians of the cat, Brenda Wilson and her family, maintain that Junie has been with them for five years and dispute Gonzalez’s claim of ownership. Wilson noted that Gonzalez once lived in her neighborhood but continues to insist the cat belongs to her family.

“I didn’t do anything bad, but get my cat back,” Gonzalez said, adding that the cat is now returned to what he considers its rightful home.

The case has drawn attention not only for the unusual circumstances of the cat’s removal during a doorstep delivery but also for the conflicting assertions over the animal’s ownership. Authorities or animal control have not issued a statement regarding the dispute as of this time.