Matilda the Algonquin Hotel Cat Pre-Birthday Exclusive
Matilda the resident cat at The Algonquin Hotel is celebrating her 5th birthday with a big fundraiser tonight. It also happens to be World Cat Day
The tradition of cat living at The Algonquin began back in the 1930s when a hungry alley cat wandered in through the hotel’s front door. The hotel’s owner Frank Case, offered the hotel to the stray cat as her forever home. The gregarious hotelier famous for welcoming Dorothy Parker and her writer friends who formed the legendary Algonquin Round Table in the hotel’s bar. Despite the recent renovation, the hotel still retains the charming vibe of the old hotel.
Matilda the Ragdoll beauty came to live at the famed hotel in New York
last year from The North Shore Animal League. I couldn’t make the event tonight but had a private meeting with her on Monday. The hotel has had a gorgeous facelift but sadly Matilda is no longer free to roam like her predecessors. She wears a electronic collar she’s none too pleased with but that’s the price of celebrity. Even stars can’t always get want they want.
She sometimes likes to hang out by the front desk but on this day chose her not so secret hideaway behind this door. This the original cat door to the baggage room near the front desk.
It’s not luxurious but Matilda has everything she needs in this space.
The friendly staff are used to hotel guests and other visitors asking for Matilda. As a sweet-tempered Ragdoll, she takes it in stride but she’s no lap cat. I was escorted into the small room equipped with cat litter, food, water and Matilda sitting in a regular office chair. She seemed to read my thoughts of disappointment that it wasn’t more shrine-like. I crouched down as I always do when meeting new cats and gave her space to get used to me.
We hung out alone for awhile and I won’t say what she told me, but being a celebrity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She’s a gracious spokescat and purrfect for her job as a pet adoption advocate and hotel ambassador.
She seemed bored in the way the very rich can be and when she’d had enough, she began grooming. She no doubt was due for a professional grooming for her birthday event. I said good-bye and will check up on her again soon. The lobby bar is a cozy spot to while away an afternoon sipping tea and channeling my inner Dorothy Parker.
Matilda perked up after communicating with me for awhile and agreed to pose as long as I didn’t use those paparazzi flashy boxes.
Visit Matilda to wish her a happy birthday at her Facebook and Twitter pages!
22 Comments
Texas, a cat in New York
Matilda is very beautiful…
But I am sad because I wrote her fan mail and neither her nor her staff dared answered me once.
I must be out of her league, I’m afraid 🙁
Purrs
Cattywumpus
I love this story, I would like to visit Matilda next time I am in NYC. Every business should have an office/resident cat!
Skeeter and Izzy
Wow what an honor! Happy Birthday Matilda! Everyday should be world cat day! Purrs Skeeter and Izzy >^..^<
ryker's boyz n ALlie
oh my CAT! You got to meet MATiLDA!!!!!
Suzanne Adams
Happy Birthday, Matilda! Thanks for hopping! =^..^=
Tamago
Happy birthday to Matilda and Happy World Cat Day to all the kitties around the world! I’d love to visit Matilda at Algonquin some day!
Abby
I remember a story about Matilda but I can’t remember why she is no longer allowed out front???
purrs
>^,,^<
✿•*¨`*•. ♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥✿•*¨`*•.
The Musings Of A Crazy Cat Lady
What an honor that Matilda granted you an audience. We wish her a happy birthday with as much catnip as she wants.
Bernadette
Wow, a private audience with the star is way better than a public event.
A Fifth of Happiness to Matilda! We share something special! [The Fantastic Four]
Sparkle
I think it is completely unfair that Matilda is not allowed to roam as she pleases in her own home! What is wrong with humans!? I’m glad you got to visit with her, though – my human has not yet met her, even though she has been to New York a bunch of times. So neglectful.
Brian
Happy Birthday beautiful Matilda!
D. Barnes - Zee and Zoey
I always love hearing about Matilda and wish her a wonderful birthday! Having one of my own, the Ragdoll is one of my favorite breeds and they do tend to take most of everything in stride!
CATachresis
Every hotel should have a cat!
Pam Kimmell
How nice to catch up with Matilda – thanks for letting us know she’s doing well at the Algonquin….may she have MANY more years of being the spokescat for the hotel!
Kitty Hugs, Sammy (and his Mom)
Catsparella
Great post, Layla! I’ll be at the party tonight, I can’t wait! 🙂
boomermuse
Thanks, Stephanie. Sorry to miss you!
mbavaresco
Happy Birthday sweet Mathilda!!!!
stephanie
I love this story!
I have a feral Ragdoll that I feed everyday…I wish she could be treated like royalty.
So happy for this one,though!
Ingrid King
I met Matilda when I stayed at the Algonquin two years ago. She does seem to take her fame in stride, doesn’t she?
The Algonquin was the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed at in the city – and I’ve stayed at quite a few. The room even had a walk-in closet. In New York City! I asked the front desk staff whether they “rent out” Matilda to spend the night with guests, and they said that would be up to her. Since I ended up spending the night alone, I’m guessing my request was declined, sigh.
boomermuse
You’d like it even better now. The hotel has been completely refurnished since you stayed there and you have met her predecessor Matilda #2. I miss her old bed by the front door.
Kathryn
ahh! The Algonquin cat! She’s purrfect for the job. It is a grand tradition. Our boys agree. They’ve got their own hotel staff here.
WWDPD? What would Dorothy Parker do?
She might say: ”What fresh hell is this? Don’t look at me in that tone of voice.” D. Parker.”
Natasha Finkel
I just may go to the Algonquin and wish Matilde a very happy birthday myself!