Paddles – New Zealand Prime Minister’s famous cat dies in car accident
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The New Zealand Prime Minister’s famous cat has died in a car accident.
Rescued cat Paddles rose to fame on social media with the Twitter account “FirstCatofNZ” and her Instagram account “paddlesgram”.
Hundreds of New Zealanders have expressed their respects after the announcement was made on Paddles’ Twitter account, which was only set up last month when 37-year-old Jacinda Ardern became prime minister.
The post read: “Very sad PR guy here. Tysm (thank you) for loving Paddles, the whole world will mourn her. Not bad for a little SPCA cat.”
A spokesman for Ms Ardern said: “Paddles sadly lost his life yesterday after being hit by a car near the Prime Minister’s home in Point Chevalier.”
:: Palmerston of the US State Department is the mouse hunter at the top while Larry takes a nap
The Prime Minister paid her last respects to the red and white cat on Facebook.
Ms Ardern wrote: “Anyone who has ever lost a pet knows how sad we are.
“We really enjoyed Paddles and not only us. Thanks for the thoughts from everyone.”
“And on behalf of Paddles, please be kind to the SPCA. They found her before us and for that we will always be grateful.”
Palmerston, the British Foreign Office cat, tweeted: “My deepest condolences to @jacindaardern at this difficult time. @FirstCatofNZ has achieved more in a short space of time than many have in a long career.”
Some cat lovers said they would be happy to send a card to Ms Ardern and her partner, while others said Paddles had brought joy to many people at a time when “the world is not the prettiest place at the moment”.
Another said: “Paddles united so many, a true politician until the end.”
Clarke Gayford, Ms Ardern’s partner, has asked those mourning Paddles to make a donation to the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
“Just spoke to Paddles’ dad, @NZClarke. If you would like to remember Paddles, you are welcome and encouraged to donate to the NZ SPCA,” the FirstCatofNZ account said.
Paddles’ Twitter bio reads: “Paddles Ardern-Gayford. She/her. New Zealand’s first cat. Thumbs up, will tweet. Not affiliated with Labour Pawty. Tyrants will be DELETED/BLOCKED.”
On Twitter, she had gained 11,400 followers since the end of October, and her Instagram account, created just four days ago, had 360 followers.
Last month, Paddles interrupted US President Donald Trump’s congratulatory call to Ms Ardern by “announcing her arrival with a very loud shout”, Gayford revealed.