The “First Cat of New Zealand,” Paddles, is dead after being hit by a car near the prime minister’s home in Auckland, New Zealand.
Paddles was a beloved cat, known for having two opposable thumbs and being a social media star.
Hi, I'm Paddles and I am the First Cat of New Zealand. I have opposable thumbs, I'm purrty special. pic.twitter.com/MPkxdhWCRu
— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 21, 2017
Paddles belonged to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who took office in late October. Arden is the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and, at 37-years-old, she is also the youngest prime minister since 1856.
Shortly after she took office, Paddles’ Twitter account was created. “Have thumbs, will tweet,” the cat’s Twitter bio reads. “Not affurliated with Labour Pawty. Bullies will be SCRATSCHED/ blocked.”
According to the New Zealand Herald, the driver of the car who hit the famous feline took the cat to the vet, hoping she was just unconscious. The vet declared the cat dead.
On Tuesday Ardern shared a Facebook post about her loss. “To anyone who has ever lost a pet, you’ll know how sad we feel,” Ardern wrote. “Paddles was much loved, and not just by us. Thanks for everyone’s thoughts.”
https://www.facebook.com/jacindaardern/posts/10154823927877441:0
Paddles was adopted from the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
“Please be kind to the SPCA,” Ardern wrote on Facebook. “They found her before we did, and we will always be grateful for that.”
Following the death of Paddles, donations to the SPCA have been increasing.
V sad PR Guy here.Tysm for loving Paddles, the whole world will mourn her.Not bad for a lil SPCA puss. #PrrpForever https://t.co/B5MZvcUiDU
— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) November 7, 2017
Paddles’ Twitter mentions have been flooded with kind messages.
Bye Paddles, a little ray of ginger light in my mostly depressing twitter feed. 😿#PrrpForever https://t.co/LXvaP1AbIE
— Kathy Mak (@KathyMaky) November 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/keita_tihore/status/928069322127286272
https://twitter.com/AEDUSTRYAN/status/928071761899298818
https://twitter.com/maraxush/status/928134366550745089
But the internet just won’t be the same without this charismatic feline.