The dying of a railway station cat with tons of of 1000’s of social media followers has sparked an outpouring of grief.
Felix, who was given the title of senior pest controller at Huddersfield station, West Yorkshire, was “more than a cat”, operator TransPennine Express (TPE) mentioned.
She shot to fame in 2015 when a passenger created a Facebook web page for her with pictures exhibiting her sporting a reputation badge and high-vis vest whereas on patrol.
TPE mentioned Felix, aged 12, was put to sleep by a vet on Sunday after the invention of tumours which induced “medical complications”.
Station supervisor Angie Hunte, who comforted the cat throughout her remaining moments, mentioned: “Felix was more than a cat; she was a beloved member of our station family and left her paw prints on many commuters’ hearts as they passed through the station.
“Her presence brought smiles to visitors from around the world, making Huddersfield station a special place. We will miss her dearly.”
A Facebook publish asserting her dying attracted 1000’s of feedback and reactions in simply an hour.
One person wrote: “I can’t believe it. I’m writing this whilst crying. I feel like I have lost one of my own cats.”
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Felix, Huddersfield Stations ‘Senior Pest Controller’.
After many years of being ‘on guard’ at Huddersfield. Felix handed away peacefully on 3 December 2023.
Sleep peacefully Felix🐾❤️ pic.twitter.com/3cVnIYIFmB
— TransPennine Express (@TPExpressTrains) December 5, 2023
Another commented: “Just heartbroken, such very sad news. I’m in tears reading this. I never met you dear Felix, but I loved you so much.”
TPE urged Felix’s followers to specific their sympathy on-line moderately than go to the station.
Her Facebook web page has 170,000 followers, and accounts devoted to her on different social media platforms have tens of 1000’s of followers.
TPE mentioned a “fitting memorial will be arranged in due course”.
The firm suggested individuals to not donate to on-line fundraisers that could be created within the cat’s honour because it “cannot guarantee” the place proceeds would go.
Felix and her apprentice cat Bolt – who joined her in 2018 – have featured in calendars and books, elevating greater than £240,000 for charitable causes.
