Paddles (cat)

Paddles (2016 – 7 November 2017) was a ginger and white polydactyl cat,[1] owned by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford. Paddles had a profile on Twitter and in politics as "First Cat".

Paddles
SpeciesCat
SexFemale
Born2016
Died (aged c. 1)
Point Chevalier, Auckland, New Zealand
Years active2016–2017
Known forRescue cat kept by the Prime Minister of New Zealand
OwnerJacinda Ardern
AppearanceGinger and white, polydactyl
Twitter page

Early life

Paddles was a rescue cat, adopted by Ardern from a branch of the SPCA.

Career

She became a celebrity as the "First Cat" after Ardern took office, and a Twitter account was established in her name. Ardern said that she did not know who created the account.[2][3]

When U.S. President Donald Trump phoned Ardern to congratulate her for becoming Prime Minister in October 2017, Paddles interrupted the conversation.[4]

Death

Paddles was run over by a car and killed in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier on 7 November 2017.[5][6]

See also

References
  1. Fernandez, Alexia (27 October 2017). "New Zealand's adorable 'First Cat' Is taking over Twitter with its opposable thumbs". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  2. Chen, Heather (26 October 2017). "New Zealand's 'first cat' and other political pets". BBC News. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  3. Weaver, Hilary (24 October 2017). "New Zealand's hip, young Prime Minister comes complete with a tech-savvy cat". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  4. Culbertson, Alix (8 November 2017). "Paddles the New Zealand PM's famous cat dies in car crash". Sky News. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  5. Prendergast, Ella. "Tributes flow into SPCA after the death of Jacinda Ardern's cat Paddles". Newshub. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  6. "Jacinda Ardern's cat Paddles has died after being hit by a car". New Zealand Herald. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
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