Rodney checks out the Whanganui Chronicle in 2021. Photo / Bevan Conley
Condolences are can be found in from worldwide for Rodney, the well-travelled cat that increased to nationwide attention 3 years earlier.
He died today at the age of about 13.
Rodney was resident feline at the ITM store in Marton for a years however in 2020, a team member drove 15km out of town and abandoned him.
At the time, it was thought he had actually begun triggering problems around insurance coverage and triggering alarms.
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A hunt occurred and Rodney was ultimately discovered 6 weeks later on. However, that was just the start of his experiences.
After hanging out back in Marton, he was embraced by a couple in New Plymouth however dashed instantly, vanishing at the end of October, 2020.
Beverley Dowling, of Rodney’s Rescues – an organisation established after his very first disappearance – led the search to discover him for a 2nd time.
Four months, countless leaflets and a CCTV sighting later on, he was captured at Paritutu Rock.
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Rodney then used up residence in Otamatea, Whanganui with Raye and Shane McDonnell and settled into life as an ambassador for lost cats.
With the help of the McDonnells, he launched 2 books: World Famous In New Zealand and Beyond Lost and Found.
Profits from sales went to regional animal rescue organisations.
For the previous 2 and a half years, Rodney had a warm bed and was well liked, Raye McDonnell said.
“We set everything up to keep him safe and he had access to the outdoors if he needed it.
“He had a good life. He spent his last couple of days sun-puddling, which was one of his favourite activities.”
Rodney deviated for the even worse recently and after going to the veterinarian, the couple nursed him through the weekend, McDonnell said.
“Yesterday morning [Monday] he started to deteriorate again so we took him back to the vet.
“In our hearts we knew we were going to have to make a tough decision but Rodney, being the caring boy he is, made the decision himself. He went on his own terms, when he was ready.
“We’re just going to miss him forever.”
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McDonnell said there were most likely a great deal of individuals simply as upset as they were.
“Through what happened to him, he raised awareness for other cats and all other animals in that situation.
“There are a lot out there that are lost, stray, abandoned and unwanted.”
Within 12 hours, Rodney’s Facebook page received more than 400 remarks of acknowledgement.
Messages had actually originated from the UK, Australia and the United States, McDonnell said.
“There are nanas out there who are feeling like they’ve lost their cat as well. It’s not just us feeling it.”
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She said there were still a few of Rodney’s books left for sale.
“We’ll continue sending them out if people want them. Rodney’s legacy can continue with fund-raising for the rescues out there.”
Mike Tweed is an assistant news director and multimedia reporter at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since beginning in March 2020, he has actually meddled whatever from sport to music. At present his focus is city government, mostly the Whanganui District Council.
