Oh man. Jacinda Ardern‘s cat Paddles, otherwise known as the ‘First Cat of New Zealand‘, has sadly died after being hit by a car.
A spokesperson confirmed the news to local publication Newshub that the cat had sadly passed away on Tuesday.
Paddles had become something of a celebrity, thanks to her ‘opposable thumbs’ and the Twitter account @FirstCatofNZ.
“V sad PR guy here,” the account tweeted this morning. “[Thank you so much] for loving Paddles, the whole world will mourn her. Not bad for a lil SPCA puss.”
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
Just spoke w Paddles’ Dad, @NZClarke. If you would like to remember Paddles you are most welcome and encouraged to donate to the NZ SPCA. 😽
— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) November 7, 2017
The account was set up by a mystery person after Ardern was finally announced as New Zealand‘s new Prime Minister on October 19, a full 26 days after Kiwis voted.
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
“There is indeed an account in the name of my cat and I have no idea who has created it,” Ardern said at the time. “I am quite happy for that person to continue logging on on behalf of Paddles, [but] keeping in mind Paddles has thumbs, I can’t put it past her [that] it’s her own account as well.”
Paddles was a polydactyle, otherwise known as a cat with extra claws that look like opposable thumbs.
She was also sassy as hell.
Legalise 🤙 https://t.co/jKNmnSTasb
— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 24, 2017
RIP Paddles. May you go to the great kitty scratching post in the sky.
