Mittens (cat)
Mittens is a domestic cat in Wellington, New Zealand, who wanders Te Aro and the city's central business district. A feline flâneur, he roams up to 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from his home. Selfie pictures with the cat have become a desired item for locals.[1] Mittens is occasionally taken to the SPCA or the police.[2]
Other name(s) | Mittens the Cat of Wellington His Royal Floofiness |
---|---|
Species | Cat |
Breed | Turkish Angora |
Sex | Male |
Born | 2010 |
Occupation |
Originally from the suburbs of Auckland, he has become a social media celebrity since he, his brother Latte and their owner Silvio Bruinsma, a partner at Deloitte,[3] moved to the capital city in 2017.[4][5] He featured on the 2018 edition of the Wellington Advent Calendar, an online calendar counting down the days before Christmas.[6] Sam Thacker, an SPCA staff member, posted a polite direction about how to treat Mittens if anyone comes across him; asking members of the public not to report or take him in as they are familiar with his behaviour.[1]
On 22 May 2020, Mittens was given the Key to the City of Wellington. Previous recipients include Sir Peter Jackson and Sir Richard Taylor.[7] Later in 2020, he was the subject of an exhibition at the Wellington Museum[8] and a candidate for New Zealander of the year in August.[9]
Catnapped
On 5 February 2021, Mittens was seen being taken in to a car, presumably, to be taken to the abductor's home, for pictures. Called a "Massive error in judgement" by Mitten's owner[10]
References
- Ainge Roy, Eleanor (4 March 2020). "The best thing about Wellington: Mittens the cat has paws all over New Zealand capital". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- "'Catastrophe averted': Mittens, the Cat of Wellington, temporarily detained by police". 10 May 2019. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Silvio Bruinsma | Deloitte New Zealand | Partner – Assurance & Advisory". Deloitte New Zealand. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- Nightingale, Melissa. "Wandering cat Mittens a Wellington personality". ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- Hunt, Tom (13 January 2019). "He goes to church, he goes to the tattoo parlour – meet Mittens the cat". Stuff. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- "Counting down to Christmas with the help of Wellington's celebrity cat". Stuff. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
- 'Feline groovy: Mittens unlocks more hearts with Key to the City' Wellington City Council website, 22 May 2020, Retrieved 22 May 2020
- 'Mittens – Floofy and Famous' Wellington Museum, 4 July – 11 October 2020
- Ainge Roy, Eleanor (20 August 2020). "Celebrity cat called Mittens in the running to be New Zealander of the year". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- "Catnapped: Flurry of concern over world-famous Wellington feline".