The Incredible Tater Pol: A Lucky Three-Legged Black Cat
The Incredible Tater Pol: A Lucky Three-Legged Black Cat.
Photo credit: Justin Jones
When I interviewed Dr. Jan Pol, the veterinarian, and star of the #1 show on Nat Geo Wild, The Incredible Dr. Pol, he told me about Tater. Who knew that conversation would change the life a three-legged black cat and countless other black cats? The interview was in March and Dr. Pol who moves at the speed of a racehorse, hopped on the kitty bandwagon and our black cat awareness cause. Who better to advocate for black cat adoption than the incredible Tater Pol who turned misfortune into luck?
No one knows where Tater came from but he was rescued from animal trap with a badly mangled leg. Dr. Pol saved his life by amputating his leg. Tater recovered but the odds of finding a home for a black, three-legged cat were slim. The Pol Veterinary clinic already had one office cat and Tater slipped into his role as #2 office cat #2 but not for long. The day after our post, Tater had his own Instagram account @TaterPol and an episode featuring Tater began filming in May.
The #2 cat is now #1. Office cat Tater can add TV star and black cat advocate to his resume. He will also make his publishing debut in our book. You’ll be able to see Tater on the job (and off) in Black Cats Tell All: True Tales and Inspiring Images, our nonprofit book featuring over 100 incredible black cats from around the world to be published on August, 9, 2017.
Check out Tater’s debut on the next episode HOOKED ON A FELINE, AIRING SATURDAY, JUL 8 at 9 P.M. ET. Watch a clip from the episode including kitty cuteness
It’s a thrill to see Tater’s handsome black face fill the screen on the Nat Geo website. And validating to see the Incredible Dr. Pol team add more cats to their programming. Good job, Tater.
33 Comments
Brian
we just got our own 3 legged tuxedo kitten.. her name Cammie, because she’s out little tripod as in camera tripod
Amber
What season and episode was Tater’s debut on the show?
aslan (maine coon cat) dashner
uhm no offense but it looks like ol tater might be a tad on the spoiled side?? id say what he has is beyond luck he was born to be pole time and karma made a puurrr-fect life for him best wishes
my pet human lets me watch your show all the time
from aslan from glenwood Iowa
puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! 🙂
Paula Harvey
Been watching the new season Feb.2019 & whereas “Tater”?
Terri Miller
Hi Tater – you and your family do such a good job teaching people about black and special needs cats. You and I have 3 legs in common – I ended up that way when I was 8 weeks old and someone threw me out of a car into rush hour traffic. My mom saw it and scooped me up – she was too late to save my leg but she saved the rest of me! We work with special needs animals too – my name is Tucker Tim and I have two feral rehab sisters (Tyra and Ricky Lee). Ricky Lee is crazy but Tyra has become a cuddly little love. Please keep doing what you’re doing – different just makes you special and better not less than. People need to learn that. Keep us laughing with your bouncing around – we love watching you and your whole family every week!
Layla Morgan Wilde
What a great story. Thanks for sharing and for being an advocate for special needs cats by example.
Karen Buckely
We love Tater. We have a black cat, Charcoal, who is 16 years old. He came to my school as a stray, I took him home and he’s brought us many years of joy. We’d like to know what happened to the previous #1 cat, name, perhaps a photo as well. Thanks
Lola
We don’t get to watch Dr. Pol anymore because our mom got rid of our cable! So not fair! We’ll have to try to stream Tater’s debut.
meowmeowmans
We love Dr. Pol. How awesome that he rescued and kept Tater. We think it’s great that Tater is such an advocate for black cats all over the world.
Layla Morgan Wilde
I’m so glad you’re a fan of Dr. Pol. He’s awesome and much loved. There’s much Tater could do as an advocate.
Mary McNeil
Good for Tater and Dr Pol ! I hope the “former # 1 office cat” is still around and being loved on.
Kathryn
Oh wow, an incredible story of love, devotion and the luck of black kitties. I am so happy it worked out for Tater. <3 <3 <3
Layla Morgan Wilde
I love when good comes out of bad. We need more pawsitivity in the world.
Pipo/Angel-Minko/MrJackFreckles
Hey! How cool! Dr Pol comes from the Netherlands…that is where Petcretay’s pawrents came from too. And He lives in Michigan just like we do! OMC! Except he doesn’t live close to us…
Tater is magnificent! And quite the furmouse spokeskitty!
Layla Morgan Wilde
That’s pawesome! Did you see the last episode when Dr. Pol visited his old home town.
ellen
Tater is quite a handsome fella. He was a lucky dude to go to such a kind and gentle vet. Kudos to Dr Pol and his team for taking care of tater.
Carol Vogt
greeetings. can i borrow dr tater as a therapist? right now i’m just having to get over the death of a good friend (which he cant take care of) but he reminds me of my dad’s two 4-legged black cats, Charlie & Annie, i dont know, i guess i want to talk with someone who can listen (let alone a few meows) i guess i’m just going through a few rough moments
da tabbies o trout towne
tater….ewe iz one handsum houz panther dood…..we R sorree we willna bee abe bull ta catch yur show; noe tee vee hooked up heer, but we hope ya get 946 bazillion veews anda emmy !!!! ♥♥♥
Layla Morgan Wilde
No tee vee? Good thing there are video clips. Happy Fryyay to da tabbies!
Memories of Eric and Flynn
What a handsome boy he is!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Tater is lovely and pawsitive influence at the clinic.
Jo Singer
This kitty is totally pawsome! He sure has a lot to teach humans- without a doubt. Lucky kitty, but anyone who has this little guy cross their path is even luckier
Layla Morgan Wilde
He’s a natural ambassador for black cats and special needs cats. All cats are teachers and messengers for human some having a greater calling.
Skeeter & Izzy
HOORAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY FOR TATER!!! We are so happy to have yet another advoCAT for black cats in particular, feral cats, special needs cats and just cats in general!!!! A three legged black kitty must indeed be magical!
Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig & Peanut & Romeo & the Angels >^..^^..^<~
Cathy Keisha
This is pawsome! Tater is a rock star!
Layla Morgan Wilde
We’ll see! Dr. Pol worked as a vet in anonymity for decades and never dreamed he’d be famous at age 75, so who knows what Tater Pol will do 🙂
Tamago
Tater is such a handsome kitty! What a harsh experience he had to go through, but glad he was rescued and now is a happy kitty 🙂
Eastside Cats
How cool is that! We LURV housepanthers!
Layla Morgan Wilde
We need more housepanther lovers 🙂
easyweimaraner
a big hug to this fabulous black panther cleb…
Layla Morgan Wilde
I’d love to hug him in person! Purrs and wags across the pond to you.
Summer
How awesome! My human will have to DVR this, just to make sure we see it!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks and enjoy the show.