Mittens, a Turkish Angora cat who earned celebrity status for his appearances among the streets of Wellington, is now in the running for the coveted New Zealander of the Year award.
Competition will be fierce for the adventurous feline, as he’s up against Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Director-General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, and other highly respected candidates, several of whom played critical roles in the county’s fight against COVID-19.
Famous for frequenting the capital city’s churches, office buildings, post offices, and even tattoo parlors, Mittens is beloved by locals, who frequently post selfies with the cat and follow him on social media, where he has a growing fan base of nearly 60,000 people from around the world at “The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens.”
Mittens rose to fame in 2018 after concerned residents noticed him wandering the city and took him to various police stations and the SPCA. To reassure the well-intending public that Mittens is not homeless and doesn’t need rescuing, an SPCA worker created his now-viral Facebook page.
Group administrator and SPCA employee Sam Thacker, who has known Mittens for years, described him as “street smart” and “perfectly healthy” in posts clarifying the feline’s unusual circumstances.
In May, Wellington Mayor Andy Foster awarded Mittens with a Key to the City and a certificate commending him for delivering laughter, happiness, and “coolness” to the city.
“It’s a great community story at a time when Wellington needs it most, and reflects the positivity he has brought to the people he encounters on his adventures,” said Mittens’ guardian, Silvio Bruinsma, who attended the ceremony. “Mittens has captured the heart of the city and kept smiles on the faces of many of his fans during lockdown — both here and abroad.”
Mittens reminds us to slow down and smile every once in a while, a lesson that is surely worthy of the New Zealander of the Year award.
Magnifique
He’s gorgeous but there are many non pedigreed cats that are homeless that should be brought to attention too and receive the love and care that Mittens does.
Everyone please spay and neuter and consider caring for homeless cats.
Hopefully New Zealand doesn’t kill homeless or feral cats like Australia does. People kill way more birds and lizards than hungry cats do; it’s a lie that’s been repeated over and over again until it became the truth yet it’s highly exaggerated.
He’s gorgeous but there are many non pedigreed cats that are homeless that should be brought to attention too and receive the love and care that Mittens does.
Everyone please spay and neuter and consider caring for homeless cats.
Hopefully New Zealand doesn’t kill homeless or feral cats like Australia does. People kill way more birds and lizards than hungry cats do; it’s a lie that’s been repeated over and over again until it became the truth yet it’s highly exaggerated.
A pity they didnt clarify. If he’s NOT homeless, then where and with whom does he live?
Mittens looks like a great kitty!
I would definitely vote for Mittens. Everyone likes him (well maybe not the grump cat haters) and what politician or other public figure can claim that?
I VOE FOR MITTNS………….
Great Story Happy ending for Mittens.
My vote is for Mittens 🐱🐈🐾❤.
Beautiful kitty.
I would surely vote for Mittens!
Yep.
I would definitely vote for Mittens. Good luck sweet boy!
I’ll vote for Mittens!
If Mittens is chosen New Zealander of the Year he can bring back the good status of cats in N<3
mITTENS IS A GREAT CAT iHOPE HE GETS CITIZEND OFTHE YEAR OR RUNNER-UP ANY WAY
Vote for Mittens, definitely!