“World’s Worst Cat,” of course, is one of those honorary titles, like “World’s Greatest Dad” or “Best Sister In The World.” It’s not like there’s an actual competition or even an official poll one has to win before wearing one of these superlatives like a badge. Someone just has to be of the opinion that you’re the “best” or “worst” before bestowing it on you.
So, I suppose it must follow that someone who met Perdita the Cat must have believed whole-heartedly that she was the actual worst.
Her adoption photograph and biography on Mitchell County Animal Rescue’s Facebook page begins with the ominous line, “We thought she was sick, turns out she’s just a jerk.”
Now, shelters usually try to paint their animals in as positive a light as possible, but they also don’t want cats like Perdita being returned by adoptive owners who learned a little too late what, exactly, they’ve invited into their homes.
The News & Observer reports that the 4-year-old cat arrived at the animal rescue on Christmas Eve after her owner had died, and the rescue acknowledges that Perdita has plenty of reasons to be angry.
Not that she needs reasons, of course.
Amber Dale Lowery, the shelter’s director, said they “understand that she has earned every right to be a jerk and meant to the post as tongue-in-cheek. We adore her strong personality and hope that by shedding light on her ‘cattitude,’ the perfect home will step forward to adopt her.”
The adoption listing went on to say that adopting Perdita would not be “for the faint of heart” – apparently, Perdita likes “staring into your soul until you feel as if you may never be cheerful again,” “lurking in dark corners,” and “being the queen of her domicile.”
She does not appear to enjoy “the color pink, kittens (yuk they are so chipper), dogs, children, The Dixie Chicks, Disney movies, Christmas, and last not NOT least…HUGS.”
Perdita is lucky; she got so much attention on Facebook – people have called her their “soulmate kitty” and said that even though they don’t like cats “I want this cat!” – that she found a home!
Perdita’s newfound celebrity as the “world’s worst” hasn’t changed her at all, according to the shelter.
“Perdita is not fazed by her fame. Just this morning she allowed me to scratch her head, admire her good looks, and then promptly growled at me,” reported Lowery.
In her new home, Perdita and her owners will share (their own) space and the occasional how-do-you-do, and perhaps, when Perdita deems it acceptable, a scritch or two.
Cat ownership bliss.
