Cat from Albufeira {Portugal}

You must have heard of Mr. No Ears.

This earless, one-eyed cat from Albufeira, Portugal, is a Facebook phenomenon and has his own book: Saudades Mr. No Ears.

But for those of you who don't know him, here is his story.

Introducing Mr. No Ears

Often referred to as the Lion King of Albufeira because of his love for sitting 'regally,' high up on a concrete pillar, this adorable semi-feral cat was the head of a feline colony in the Algarve region of Portugal. Viewed from a distance, he appeared to be sitting on a throne, silhouetted against a vast sea and sky backdrop. On most days, just after sundown, this was usually where you would find Mr. No Ears, with the members of his colony scattered around on the walkway and wall below him. At other times, he was scaling cliffs and running through remnants of foamy waves as salty sea breezes blew back his whiskers and fur.

No one knew on which day he was born, so his caretakers decided to celebrate his birthday on World Animal Day on October 4th.

His ears showed signs of Solar Dermatitis, common in white cats, and one of his eyes was open and purulent, with no sign of an eyeball. They almost euthanized him, but the veterinarians fetched him up, and despite all of his problems, he was a strong-minded and happy cat.

Even from an early age, he loved the attention of humans, always seeking praise and a treat.

Some hotel owners found him repulsive, ordering his caretakers to send him away so he wouldn't 'upset tourists.' But there were just as many people who loved him to pieces, and once he got his own Facebook page, the entire world was at his paws.

The sad part

Unfortunately, Mr. No Ears' story didn't end well.

“On the evening of 11 September 2015, Mr. No Ears was abducted from his colony,” writes Carol Lee in her book Saudades Mr. No Ears. “Less than an hour later a request was made via a Facebook page asking for money, making false claims that he was ‘in pain’ and ‘had bone cancer.’ According to posts on Facebook, he was driven 500 kilometers north and was microchipped to claim ownership. It was alleged that in an attempt to prove cancer that he did not have, Mr. No Ears suffered cardiac arrest during a CAT scan. He sustained neurological and organ damage, including his kidneys and liver, leading to organ failure. No attempt was ever made to contact his carers who, with funds raised by his worldwide ‘friends’, took legal action to try and bring Mr. No Ears home. In pre-trial interviews, it was established that Mr. No Ears belonged to his carers, Amigos dos Gatos do Algarve. Tragically, he died in captivity before the case was heard in court.”

The taking of this much-loved semi-feral cat from his home and family and the circumstances of his death were very emotive subjects that caused shockwaves throughout the animal-loving world.

Where to find Mr. No Ears' colony?

Thanks to Mr. No Ears, the Peneco Colony became a household name and a ‘must see’ on cat lovers’ holiday itineraries.

You can find the cats between the sea and a walkway along the top of the cliff that overlooks Albufeira's Peneco beach. Next to the walkway is a sea-facing panoramic viewing deck with benches, where Mr. No Ears loved to hang out. Directly across from the viewing deck is a hotel with a large outdoor seating area. You will recognize Mr. No Ears' favorite seat under a palm tree because the hand-engraved 'Saudades Mr. No Ears' love-lock is attached to it.

The Peneco cats are semi-feral because they have regular contact with humans. However, they are wary, and only a few of them are tame enough to pet – like Mr. No Ears.

Saudades Mr. No Ears

Are you looking for the purrfect gift for your cat-loving friend? The book Saudades Mr. No Ears may be just what you were looking for.

The book is NOT about his tragic ending, but instead, focuses on the happy moments of his life. Carol Lee writes about his kittenhood, his personality, his habits, his favorite games and food, his birthday celebrations, his reputation as a 'womanizer,' and about how he influenced animal rights advocacy in Portuguese society. The book also contains a chapter with endearing 'love letters' from his friends and fans, as well as useful information about feral cats and feline health problems such as Solar Dermatitis, ear mites, and Feline Leukaemia Virus.

If you were one of the lucky people to have met Mr. No Ears in real life, this book is a must-read which will bring back happy memories. But even if you've never heard of him before today, you'll still enjoy it as a heartwarming tale. His story is written in an easy-going and straightforward style and will appeal to many cat lovers. It is available on Amazon, from his Facebook page, and in a local bookshop in Mr. No Ears' hometown, Albufeira.

Before Christmas, the book comes with a festive cover, so hurry up and order your copy now before the special edition is out of print.

All proceeds from the sale go toward the Trap-Neuter-Return costs and medical expenses of the street cats of the Algarve.

Giveaway

To celebrate Christmas, Carol Lee is giving away an autographed paperback of Saudades Mr. No Ears (or the Portuguese version, Saudades Sr. Sem Orelhas) to one lucky reader of Traveling Cats. The giveaway is open worldwide. To enter, fill in the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway