CLEVELAND, Ohio --- What if the world suddenly found itself without any cats at all?
While it is easy to think that our feline friends do nothing more than lounge around and gaze out the window, be assured that cats do pull their weight in this world.
Cats -- both pets and strays -- may have us fooled into believing that they are dependent on humans, but according to the Center for Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, cats are an essential part of protecting their humans’ food sources because of “their excellent predatory instincts and adaptable hunting skills.”
In many parts of the world, cats are kept as pest control. Hunting and scavenging is instinctive in most cats. In fact, as a whole, cats didn’t move inside until the 1940s when kitty litter was invented, and many cat experts say they are still most at home in the great outdoors.
For centuries, cats have been killing mice and rats on ships, in barns and grain storage areas, and have been vital for keeping those pests in check.
In India, Beck said, cats are believed to play a significant role in lessening the amount of grain loss caused by consumption or contamination by rodents, in other words, without cats, humans would have less food in the first place.
To celebrate October’s National Cat Day -- on Oct. 29 -- we asked our readers to send us photos of their adorable kitties. We were overwhelmed by the response -- so much so, we had to move up the deadline for submissions.
This week, we are publishing the photos of every cat whose humans sent us photos prior to the new deadline. On Tuesday, we introduced you to Abracadabra to Elise. On Wednesday, it was Fluff through Kobe. Yesterday, we featured Lando to Ozzy. Today, we are meeting Paws to Zeus.
A committee of Cleveland.com staffers has been tasked with the tough assignment of choosing the Top 20 contestants. Those 20 kitties will move on to compete for the ultimate title. Be sure to check back with us on Monday, Oct. 25, when we will announce the finalists.
Then, it will be up to you. Our readers will choose the ultimate winner. You may vote in an online poll for which cat you think is the cutest Oct. 26-28.
We will announce the ultimate winner on Oct. 29, which just happens to be National Cat Day.
Here then, are photos and short bios of Paws to Zeus.
Paws
This is Paws, a 9-year-old tabby who was discovered with her mother and siblings under the Miller family’s back porch just as they were leaving for vacation. The children were promised that if the cats were still there when the family returned, they could keep one. One kitty was still there when the family returned and she became part of the family. The picture submitted was one of Paws this past Christmas morning. Every year, she sits under the tree and watches her humans open their gifts and patiently waits for hers. She is very lovable and finds comfort snuggling up to her oldest human brother every night for bed.
Pearl Princess
Pearl’s owner, DeJuan Jones of Cleveland, says she got her name because of her characteristics -- ivory complexion and light cyan eyes. But she also has a gem-like shape on her forehead resembling a pearl. This Siamese mix was abandoned in an apartment building. She snuggles with Jones nightly and follows him everywhere he goes and is always found cuddling his shoes when he returns home.
Penny
Sixteen-year-old Penny started life as a feral kitten in a parking lot of the ArtHouse in Old Brooklyn, fed by neighbors. Rachel Costanzo was taking a pottery class there and as the class neared its end, she was encouraged by classmates to take her home. Costanzo said she stood in her lap as they drove down I-71 to her new home in Kamm’s Corner. Today, she is a “committed COVID officemate” always perched next to the computer.
Pickles
Meet Pickles, a 7-month-old domestic shorthair rescue. Pickles’ family calls him their “dog cat,” because he loves being outside and going for walks. Pickles makes friends with everyone he meets. He is affectionate and loves neck nuzzles, giving kisses and being close to his humans at all times. Pickles lives in Fairview Park with Candie Diamond.
Pixie
This is 4-year-old Pixie, who was found as a kitten in a yard off of Hudson Drive in Cuyahoga Falls. Pixie is described as the “skittish but affectionate one in the family of 7 cats.” She lives with Michelle Kurucz in Cuyahoga Falls.
Potato
Potato is a 1-year-old rescue. She enjoys going to the Cleveland Metroparks and for walks around the neighborhood in her stroller, which often leads to a trip to Macs Backs on Coventry to look at the books, or hit up Starbucks on Cedar-Fairmount for a cup of whipped cream. Potato lives with her human, Alana Loria, in Cleveland Heights.
Pumpkin (Gamon)
Meet Pumpkin is an 18-year-old Calico, who enjoys snuggling on the couch each evening with her humans, Ken and Sharon Gamon of Sagamore Hills. She uses a pair of man-made stairs to access the couch in her advanced years.
Pumpkin (Loeffler)
This is Pumpkin, she is three years old and is our unique cat. We always find her in a new spot every day. She is also the best big sister to our kitten Anni. She loves to clean Anni and teach her new things.
Quinn
Quinn is a 6-year-old Sphynx. He lives in Highland Heights with Marilyn Stinnett. She said Quinn gives unconditional love every day.
Remy
Remy is a 1-year-old COVID rescue. While Justin Martin of Wickliff, continued to work throughout COVID in the real world, his wife, Sarah, worked from home and was lonely at times. The couple adopted him as a kitten, and he has provided entertainment ever since. Remy enjoys treats, naps, scratches, cuddles, and treats.
Rico
Rico is a 1-year-old Persian described by his owner as “a character, very lovable, loves adventure and getting on his (dog) brother Griffins nerves by hiding around corners, and jumping out to scare him.” Rico belongs to Kristi Badalamenti of Painesville.
Riviera
Meet Riviera, a 10-month-old Mainlander – Maine Coon and Hylander mix. He is described as acting “like a dog, following me all over the house and even greets me at the door,” by his owner, Keelie Cline.
Roxie
Roxie is an 8-year-old rescue who has lived a rough life prior to being adopted by Jeanne Palmer of Westlake. Roxie walks with a limp because she was, at some point, shot in the paw with a BB gun. According to Palmer, “this only endears her more to me than her beautiful markings and totally sweet personality.”
Rupert
This is Rupert. He is a 13-year-old tabby. He is described as “a purring machine, who is also a very good listener.” Rupert lives with Colleen Cain in Avon Lake.
Sailor Ariel
Meet Sailor Ariel, a 2-year-old Himalayan who rules the Swartz house, including the family’s 100-pound Bernese Mountain Dog. According to her human, Alison Swartz of Rocky River, her personality is “pure diva, with a dash of silly.” She sleeps in a doll princess bed and sticks her tongue out when her lower back is scratched.
Simon
Meet Simon, a 10-year-old tabby, who resides in Mayfield Heights with his owner, Alexis Corsaro. Simon is described by Corsaro as “a sweet boy who loves to cuddle and play fetch. And whenever I leave, he’s always waiting for me at the door when I get home.”
Skylar
This is Skylar , a 1-year-old ball of fluff, described by her owner as “one of the friendliest cats I have ever known. She loves cuddling and showing affection to all the people she meets.” Skylar is owned by Audra Malek of Cleveland Heights.
Smoky
Meet Smoky (the cat), pictured here with her best buddy, Sochi (the dog). According to Dan Dietz, she wandered into their yard about three years ago, bringing with her three kittens, all of which the family adopted. Smoky is now a permanent resident since Dietz built a heated house for her. She and Sochi became fast friends and best buddies. The family lives in Cleveland.
Sonny
Meet Sonny, a 2-year-old rescue who is described as “a bit of a loner in the family of 7 cats.” Sonny lives with Michelle Kurucz in Cuyahoga Falls.
Sophie
This is Sophie, a 2-year-old who loves to play and interrupts her humans, who work from home, by bringing her toys to them during their workday. She lives with Hillary Butler in Rocky River.
Spot
Spot is a playful 3-year-old orange tabby, who loves belly rubs, snuggling and purring at bedtime, annoying his cat brothers and sisters, and when he was a kitten he loved to chew on his human dad’s beard. He belongs to Allie Mackerty and Gerard Boyer of Lynhurst.
Spunky
This is Spunky, a 6-year-old tabby rescue. Spunky lives with Loretta Kerr in Parma. This photo was taken at Christmas when Spunky was trying to bite the tree. His human shouted “no” and he turned and looked at her as if he was completely innocent. The two bonded when Kerr went to an adoption event and “when I walked in, he jumped at my shoelaces and would not let go! One of his favorite toys is still playing with a shoelace.”
Squeaky, Inky & Binky
Born to a feral mother in the Dietz yard, these siblings won the heart of the family and were quickly adopted by them. Left to right, they are Squeaky, Inky & Binky. Dan Dietz said the kittens quickly adapted to life inside their home, “and it’s really fun to see how they interact and play together.”
Stanley
Meet Stanley, an 8-year-old tuxedo cat, who had a rough start in life. Today, this “wide-eyed snaggle-toothed little man is the happiest, most brave cat alive,” according to owner, Colleen Cain of Avon Lake.
Stella
Stella was born a feral kitten under Megan Kiper’s great-grandmother’s deck and Kiper took her home.
Sterling & Mercury
Meet Sterling (left) and Mercury. They are littermates and come from a rescue group. Their human, Michelle Kurucz of Cuyahoga Falls, describes them as “Sterling is the sweet one and Mercury is the scaredy cat in the family.” They are 3 years old.
Sweetie
Sweetie is a 6-year-old Siamese, born with underdeveloped eyes. According to her human, Alexis Moss, being blind doesn’t stop her. “Sweetie lives up to her namesake. She is a total momma’s girl and simply lives to snuggle and give kisses (licks),” said Moss. The pair live in Lorain.
Tango
Tango is a curious kitty. This rescue loves to explore any open door or drawer regardless of how many times he’s been in there previously. One of his favorite places is the pantry where his treats are stored. His owner, Cynde Hujarski of Aurora, also describes him as “Houdini,” slipping out the door for a few hours of freedom.
Tanzanite, AKA Tanzy
Tanzanite, AKA Tanzy, is a 6-month-old Siamese/Snowshoe mix rescue. She lives with her human, Sarah Freeman, in Bainbridge.
Timmy Tuna
Timmy Tuna is a 3-year-old American shorthair mix who is described by his owner as “a little stinker.” Timmy enjoys getting into mischief with the other cats and dogs. When napping, he enjoys sleeping in odd positions. Timmy lives with Christopher and Christina Huhnke in Cleveland.
Toby
Meet Toby, who lived to be 14-years-old before passing away last summer. Toby had been abandoned in an empty apartment building. Once adopted, he was shy and afraid of everything. It took a long time for Toby to learn to trust humans. He belonged to Elizabeth Greenawalt of North Ridgeville.
Tony
Meet Tony, a 16-year-old rescue. He has always been full of spunk, even to this day, and prefers to be an indoor/outdoor cat, hunting by day and cuddling by night. Tony lives with Stacy Timm in Cuyahoga Falls.
Tootsie
Tootsie is a 15-year-old mackerel tabby with six toes on all four paws. Her owner, Michael Wetmore of Cleveland Heights, says she is extremely affectionate and cuddly. Wetmore adopted her last year after her owner passed away.
Vido
Vido is a 1-year-old domestic shorthair rescue. His humans say he has a keen sense of humor and likes to perform stunts to get attention. He brings his toys to Christine and nudges her arm when he decides it is playtime. Vido lives with David and Christine Fell in Strongsville.
William Wallace
Meet William Wallace, a tabby mix from University Heights. This rescue is described by his owner as “a little wild, thinks he’s a dog at times, stealer of socks, but exudes love” William lives with his human, Erin Schomisch.
Zeus
This is Zeus, a 1-year-old American shorthair. He was adopted earlier this year, with his brother Apollo. He now lives in Elyria with Al Straw. His favorite activity is playing fetch with his foam ball.
Related: We’re looking for the cutest cat in all The Land: Check out these contestants Abracadabra - Elise
Meet contestants Fluff - Kobe in our Cutest Cat Contest.
These adorable kitties want to be crowned Northeast Ohio’s Cutest Cat: Get to know Lando - Ozzy
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