Owner Appeals to Public: Do Not ‘Rescue’ My Distinctive-Looking Cat

A cat owner is appealing to the public to cease removing her cat, which she describes as “ugly,” from its location, as individuals mistakenly believe it requires assistance. Michelle Laver, who resides on a boat situated on the Grand Union Canal in Hertfordshire, frequently finds herself needing to assure “well-meaning people” that her Cornish Rex feline, named Lulu, is not in need of rescue. There have been instances where individuals have attempted to remove Lulu even as her owner, from her boat, was trying to persuade them that the cat was perfectly well. Ms Laver stated, “She’s a very unusual looking cat,” further explaining that “A lot of people think she has been shaved or she’s abused or is a stray, despite the fact she has an [Apple] airtag, a QR code – and she’s got my name on her.” She recounted, “One time I was in Australia… I was getting phone calls to say ‘I found your cat’ and I was like ‘just put her down’.” The Cornish Rex breed is characterized by its long legs, prominent ears, and short, curly fur. Ms Laver confessed, “I’m not going to lie, they’re ugly as sin.” Consequently, each time the cat’s owner relocates her boat, she publishes messages on local Facebook groups to introduce herself and request that individuals refrain from taking the cat. She further mentioned, “She’s such a celebrity now people come to take photos with her and post her on Facebook.” Ms Laver noted that the “friendly” Lulu appreciated the public’s attention and would sometimes approach unfamiliar individuals who erroneously believed she was a stray requiring a new home. Lulu’s veterinarian has also been informed about this situation, given that some individuals have discovered Lulu close to her boat and attempted to bring her to a veterinary clinic to locate her residence. The owner stated, “I understand it comes from caring but it gets quite stressful when I’m working.” For news updates from Beds, Herts and Bucks, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.