Pets have become essential in people’s lives, acting not only as sources of companionship and stress relief but also as beloved family members. - Photo: SCMP composite/IG@kulithesurfingcat/fun-japan.jp/Douyin/QQ.com/TikTok
BEIJING: Pets have become an integral part of people’s lives, serving not only as sources of companionship and stress relief but also as cherished members of the family.
Beyond dogs, often revered as “man’s best friend,” cats have emerged as more than just pets.
With their adorable faces and intriguing personalities, some have ascended to internet superstars. Here, the Post explores five “furry influencers”.
Chic and cool
A stylish yellow tabby has risen to local celebrity status at a lively night market in Bangkok, Thailand.
No matter the outfit, she exudes an effortless coolness, whether clad in elegant Chinese opera costumes, a whimsical Monkey King outfit, or a fashionable ensemble adorned with a wig and shimmering necklace.
The owner of Doggystep pet shop revealed that this feline was found abandoned on the streets at less than two months old.
The owner adopted her and named her Je Phil, with “Je” translating to “lady” and “boss” in Thai.
Since then, she has enjoyed a “lavish” lifestyle as one of Thailand’s premier cat fashion models.
Je Phil, 7, never scratches or bites at her wigs and patiently poses for photos with visitors, becoming the beloved mascot of the pet shop.
The fashionable tabby boasts 218,000 followers on TikTok.
Sassy surfer
Kuli, a one-eyed cat from Hawaii, has transformed from a stray into a surfing sensation.
Rescued by a pet shelter staff member after suffering a severe eye infection that required the removal of his left eye, Kuli went on to find a new life.
He was adopted by two surfing enthusiasts, Krista and Alex, who welcomed him into their lives.
Kuli was fearless during bath time and soon developed a passion for playing in the water.
Alex began taking Kuli to the beach, where she would place him on a surfboard to ride the mild waves. In less than a year, Kuli had mastered the art of surfing.
“It walks along the board and eventually jumps onto my shoulder, where it has a better view of the world around us,” shared Alex.
Animal writer David Alderton commended the surfing cat as “remarkable”, given the challenge of maintaining balance with just one eye.
Stationmaster saviour
In Japan’s Wakayama prefecture, a cat named Tama has “rescued” a faltering train line from closure.
In 2004, amid financial turmoil, the Kishi Station stationmaster adopted Tama.
To provide her with a home at the station, the staff appointed Tama as the stationmaster, entrusting her with the task of greeting passengers. She would occasionally take breaks, curling up for a nap in her cosy station office.
Her compensation consisted of unlimited cat food, a custom uniform, a stationmaster’s hat, and a golden nameplate showcasing her job title.
Thanks to Tama’s irresistible charm, plans for the station’s demolition were scrapped, and passenger numbers surged by 350,000 between 2005 and 2014.
Tama also became a star in photo books, made cameo appearances in films, and featured in television commercials.
She passed away in 2015 at the age of 16 due to heart failure. Thousands of fans came together to mourn her loss, and Tama was posthumously honoured with the title of “Honorary Permanent Stationmaster”.
Badass arsonist
A mischievous cat from Sichuan in southwestern China has earned the nickname “Badass Cat” after inadvertently starting a fire at home.
In April last year, Jingoudiao, the playful cat, somehow activated the induction cooker in the kitchen, sparking a fire that caused damages amounting to 100,000 yuan (US$14,000).
Firefighters located the golden British Shorthair cat hiding in an upstairs cabinet, his fur coated in dust but miraculously unharmed.
The owner, Dandan, decided to feature Jingoudiao in a live-stream to raise funds for repairs, humorously labelling him as the “arsonist”.
Dandan accepted responsibility for the incident, acknowledging her oversight in failing to turn off the cooker, and used the event as a cautionary tale about fire safety.
High-five healer
Thousands of visitors have been flocking to a temple in Suzhou, eastern China, only to high-five a cat for a stroke of good fortune.
Jellybean, 4, draped in a golden necklace, perches on a stone pillar, high-fiving everyone who stops by.
The owner mentioned that Jellybean suffers from ear mites, so after administering medication, he would let him out to bask in the sunlight.
Some visitors have returned multiple days in a row, claiming that Jellybean’s fluffy paw possesses “healing powers”.
However, others have observed that Jellybean appears somewhat fatigued, with his once-enthusiastic high-fives becoming noticeably less frequent.
“It seems to be turning into a job for him. The cat might go on strike,” quipped one visitor.
Concerned that too much attention could affect Jellybean’s health, the owner plans to pause visits to the temple for now. - South China Morning Post
