Hello Friends, Furry, Feathered and Otherwise,
It’s Alberto with my Wednesday feline news. I have my purrsonal assistant purrr-use the web to bring you what I feel are the most interesting stories of the week. Without further ado, here they are, enjoy!

A Restaurant Just for Cats – Animals4.com

I’m sure many of you have seen the viral video of the cats ringing a bell for food but this video takes it to the next level.  Watch this fastidious feline select and order his favorite menu items. I am waiting for such an establishment to open in my community!

 Vet has Unique Approach to Soothing Post Surgery Feline – Animals4.com

Now I am not a fan of the place of the white coats, although our place is set up to make us fearless and to actually enjoy the experience. (The Tribe of Five all visited and blogged about their experiences.) If any felines find themselves in this place, I hope they have a vet as kind and innovative as Dr. Ross Henderson!

Matilda, the former Algonquin Cat

The Algonquin Hotel, NY Hires A Fabulous New Feline – New York Post

Those of you who wander with me on Wednesdays know how much I like to feature working cats. This story is purrrticularily interesting to me. Matilda, the Algonquin Cat has retired after seven  years with the hotel. Matilda first came to the notice of The Tribe of Five as she resembles our very own Alpha, Tucker.  Take a look and let what you think.  But.  I digress.

Tucker, Alpha of The Tribe of Five

About a month ago, an orange tabby, about a year old, was sighted in a feral colony, scrounging for food. He was immediately selected as Matilda’s replacement and now plays with toy mice, receives love from his human “staff” and visitors and has been officially hired as the newest Algonquin cat.

He has been dubbed Hamlet and his is the epitome of the rags to riches tale. Hamlet is the 12th Algonquin cat and its first male mascot in  more than 40 years.

Hamlet, the handsome marmalade tabby will make his official debut tomorrow (August 3) at the hotel’s annual Cat Fashion Show which is a fund raiser for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. My only questions is, “Hey Algonquin, where is my invitation??!!”

Ricky, the Distillery Cat – 89.3 WFPL (Ashlie Stevens)

I’ve reported on cats who work in breweries, hardware stores, for police and fire fighters and even Russian cats who work in a museum but this is my first report of a cat working in a distillery.  Ricky often greets visitors in a baby blue tie. Brett Connors, the distillery’s brand ambassador, adopted Ricky when he learned that the feline had FIV — feline immunodeficiency virus — which resulted in folks passing up adopting him as they were concerned about his medical costs.

Ricky’s initial job was to be security but he is so friendly and outgoing, he managed to write his own new, job description as head of hospitality.

Hiring cats for distillery work has a long tradition, as these businesses have a lot of grain on site and where there’s grain, there are mice.

Ricky is so successful in his hospitality role that the distillery is planning on hiring a few other felines, all with Ricky’s medical condition. Not only will they have more feline ambassadors but they’ll provide a home to cats that otherwise would not find a forever place to live. Bravo to Castle and Keys Distillery! I have requested the humans to try the product from this feline friendly company and they were quite happy to oblige!

Cat Draws Pension Without Lifting a Paw – SwissInfo.ch by Susan Misicka

I have wondered about all the working cats I write about, what do they do when they retire? Is there a retirement for them? We know that Matilda the Algonquin cat has retired but nothing is said about what kind of retirement she received. In this story, we find out what retirement is like for a Swiss Army cat.

This feline began hanging around the military base in Lyss in 2004. She was a bored house cat and wanted to find excitement that only life in the military could provide.

The soldiers in the barracks provided her snacks between meals and dubbed her “Broccoli” after the tabby ate some of the green vegetable when a soldier offered it to her.

Despite the fact that Broccoli had a home, she preferred hanging out with the soldiers and was added to the official roster of army animals about three years ago. This roster includes search and rescue and guard dogs, 57 riding horses and 200 pack horses but until Broccoli, no felines.

The feline’s owner and the military came to an agreement that she could enlist. The soldiers contribute to a fund so that she can have healthy meals. She shares an office with Werner Holzer who says she’s a polite and curious office mate.  Since she is an official army animal she receives medical treatment from the army vet.

Now that Broccoli is 14, she is officially retired with the rank of Brigadier but lest you think sh’e is unique, she isn’t the only Swiss animal  getting a pension from public funds.
You can view a video of Broccoli on the original article or check out her own Facebook page