A much-loved marauding moggie often known as the “Sainsbury’s cat” has racked up greater than a thousand devoted followers.
Two-year-old former stray Griffin, who lives together with his proprietor Rachel Craft within the King’s Mile space of Canterbury, has attracted a legion of followers who monitor his audacious adventures throughout the town.
As nicely as Sainsbury’s, the cheeky gray and white cat has additionally popped up in Starbucks, a faculty, a nightclub, a cobbler’s – and as soon as needed to be collected eight miles away in Herne Bay.
There at the moment are 1,587 members in his ‘Gallivanting Griffin’ Facebook group which has documented his journeys to the pub, the native nursery and even taking himself to the vet.
Now to capitalise on his newfound fame, proprietor Rachel has designed and produced a calendar celebrating the tom, with earnings going to Bid to Save a Stray – the charity that rescued Griffin from the streets.
She informed KentOn-line: “It is very strange and it can be a little overwhelming at times having over a thousand people interested in your cat but its also really really lovely having so many people care about him and look out for him when he’s out and about.
“Griffin can’t really be owned. Obviously this is home and he has his breakfast and his dinner here most of the time, but ultimately he’s not a one-person pet – he definitely could never be a house cat. Griffin does what he wants at the end of the day.
“We’ve done amazingly well with the calendar – we’ve sold just under 80. I was expecting maybe 20 so we’ve done brilliantly. I’ve not done all the maths yet but we’ve raised a lot of money for charity. It’s brilliant.
“The most ridiculous place I’ve had to pick him up from is Herne Bay. I still have no idea how he got there, I can only guess that he jumped in someone’s car or on a bus?”
Last October a gang of youths set upon Griffin and ended up throwing him right into a bin.
While Rachel says nothing like that has occurred once more she says she does fear about her wandering feline.
But now she says she feels he’s safer than ever with a group of individuals searching for him.
She continued: “He’s been up to the University of Kent a couple of times and that is quite far from us. I do try and discourage it because I’m not a big fan of him being that far away from home.
“I worry about his safety. He was a stray initially but he was only on the streets a few months but I’d imagine he’s a second or third generation street cat so I’d hope he has a deep rooted street sense because he seems pretty good at crossing roads.
“I am worried about him getting himself into trouble in Sainsbury’s, he is so cheeky. I phoned them and managed to speak to a manager. I left my number and said if he’s ever a bother just give me a call but nobody has.
“Touch wood – he will keep behaving himself and stay away from the chicken. Sainsbury’s security thought it was hilarious, one of them told me that Griffin is easier to deal with than the people they usually have to escort out.”
Making buddies in excessive locations, it was at Sainsbury’s in Kingsmead Road that Griffin crossed paths with Canterbury metropolis councillor Charlotte Cornell.
Cllr Cornell was compelled to step in when she noticed the moggie making an attempt to get on the meat counter however as soon as that was resolved they turned agency buddies.
She mentioned: “It was such a delight to encounter Griffin. He is a Canterbury institution and removing him from the chilled whole chickens in the meat aisle was one of the best meetings of my week.
“Griffin brings so much joy to the people of Canterbury. Sometimes, it takes a free spirit like Griffin to bring people together.
“Should you be lucky enough for Griffin to wander into your day, it will only bring happiness. “I’m sure there will soon be a campaign to make Griffin Mayor, or perhaps because his formal speech-making skills do need some work, an honorary formal position as Canterbury Mayor’s Cat would be more appropriate. I shall raise these important ideas with officers at the council.”
Well travelled, Griffin has been noticed from the excessive avenue all the best way as much as being faraway from Venue, the University of Kent’s on campus nightclub.
He’s additionally sought affection from pupils at The Archbishop’s School in St Stephen’s Hill the place he precipitated a great deal of pleasure.
But the feline spends most of his time in and across the Sainsbury’s space – usually stopping on the Starbucks to observe prospects take pleasure in a espresso.
Most just lately, on Sunday, November 26, Griffin hazardously hopped into a lady’s automotive for a nap.
After noticing her furry stowaway she kindly gave the moggie a elevate home.
Recognising his reputation, an area designer has created merchandise of the well-known tom – a badge which might be bought from Canterbury Makers within the Marlowe Arcade.
So well-loved by his military of followers there have even been requires a statue of the feline to be erected.
Rachel Craft, who has been making an attempt to maintain up with Griffin for simply over two years, mentioned: “I’m just blown away by how many people love him and how many people go out of their way to meet him and help him out.
“People just absolutely love him. There’s people who tell me that they aren’t able to have a pet themselves or that their cats have passed away but seeing Griffin brings them joy.
He just seems to bring joy to so many people. There are so many stories about him but he’s just completely oblivious and out there having a great time.”
