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Sounds like the cute plot of a great children's book -- except it's all true!
In fact, Percy's been spending warm-weather days at the Sea Life Centre for about five years now. It's an amazing cat tale that was recently written about in the Scarborough Evening News -- and has since been reported by news outlets worldwide.
While Percy's owners, Anne and Yale Michael, have always known how their pet spent his days, they never helped; Percy walks to and from the town train station on his own.
"He's very, very independent, comes and goes as he wants in the summer," Anne Michael recently told the Yorkshire Post. "He seems to know when to get on and off the train." A railway guard who's also familiar with Percy's travel patterns agreed: "He just hops on and hops off the train and knows exactly what time the trains are."
Once he's arrived at the marine sanctuary, Percy's favorite pasttimes include sitting on a wall near the entrance, waiting for human visitors to open doors so he can get in and out, and "watching the fish in the tanks," Sea Life Centre general manager Tamsin Mutton-McKnight told the Yorkshire Post. "He's more well-behaved than some visitors sometimes. He never tries to get into any of our tanks, even though some have open tops, and we never have any problems with him."
Really -- an aquarium is OK with a cat who scampers around the grounds? And a train company doesn't mind a feline that stows away for a free ride? (Although, according to the North Bay Railyway website, the line is dog-friendly.)
Are animal and pet restrictions that much tougher in the U.S. than the U.K.? What's your experience? Tell us in the comments.
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I can't even take my dog to the beach here in the good ol USA. Dogs are not allowed on the beach where I live.
I think it's great that they let him ride! People are too analy retentive about such things these days. When my grandparents were alive, people were much more relaxed and they lived years longer, probably because the stress and anxiety of trying to keep an eye on eveyone else's business. They just nosey themselves to death. Take a pill and let people and animals live their own life!
He's precious! May he live a long life. God Bless, Percy.
I think it's great that Percy visits the fish and penguins..very smart cat. Where I live we can't even let our dog walk on the neighbors grass without getting yelled at..our pets need some freedom too.
I think it's an adorable story, and I don't know a thing about where Percy lives. I must say, however, that if he's in danger of being run over or otherwise killed he shouldn't do this. Secretly, though, down in the deepest parts of my soul that believe that animals should have freedom, etc., I think it's GREAT!
You say that if Percy is in danger of being run over or killed he shouldnt do it, well he can be killed right there in the drive way of his own home. If one is so afraid of danger, you will lose a lot of good times. We all die that is the end thing. But to live life to the fullest seems to be what this cat is about. Wish my cats could have the opportunity to live like that, they cant even go outside without me watching them, as my neighbor will lure them into their yard with food in a cage, catch and send them off to be killed. I do live in a nice neighborhood just crappy neighbors who want to control everything. It is to bad I believe in live and let live , as I saw her hubby destroy thousands of dollars worth of corner sidewalk with his big truck. But I didnt call police, but should I have , I have seen them catch many new neighbors cats and send them to be killed. May Percy continue doing what makes him happy.
Hi All
My wife Anne and I are Percy;s owners here in the Scarborough UK, Firstly Percy is a male and secondly where we live is very safe for him as he does not have to cross any roads to get to the train or the Sea Life Centre, Many thanks for all your comments, we didnt realise that the story had reached such a wide audience.
Anne and Yale
Let's just hope Miss Percy doesn't arrive hungry one visit!
Carole:
I hope you aren't disappointed, but the article refers to the cat as "he", which indicates it's Mr. Percy.
I'm with you. Percy is probably a female. She has all the markings of a calico which can be a male but is most likely a female.
WOW!!! In our community, we even have a CAT LEASH LAW!
I live in Missouri and my mom lives in Kansas and both places there are cat leash laws. Most likely a community by community effort, rather than state or federal.
dave
Where I live in Cape May County,NJ, dogs are not allowed on the beach in just about every community. Some towns allow winter access only. However, the tourists are welcomed to trash the beach every day, and encourage their kids to pee in the water. I would gladly trade a dog population for these slobs.We vacationed in North Conway,New Hampshire this past summer, and our dog was allowed to ride the Conway Senic Railway, as they are pet friendly. I'm sure they would also welcome cats. They get big points!
Well a beach near NJ I would think kids peeing in the ocean water is the least of your worries about what else is already in the water.
We were just in your beautiful town last month. We didn't know dogs were not allowed on the boardwalk (do they call it the Promenade - maybe so), and we had our Mini Doxie with us. People kept saying "oh, what a cute little dog", and we didn't think too much about it. As we were getting ready to leave, we saw a very small sign saying no dogs allowed on the Promenade or beach. Oh, well - shuda made the sign bigger?? He DID enjoy the hotdog we bought and fed to him on the Promenade. I have to say I'd move to Cape May in a heartbeat!! Gorgeous town, nice people and the ferry ride from Cape May to Lewes can't be topped.
Just got back from New Hampshire and rode the scenic railway train with my daughter and her dog and he loved it. I do believe that animals have the right to experience everything that is out there, just like people do.
I believe it is great that people take notice, but dont think of it as a burden. this cat sure has a full life! More places in the US need to be pet friendly. People here are so uptight about everything and very often do not take the time to enjoy a kitten enjoying the blowing of the leaves, or a dog with its nose in the spring air happy to be venturing. By no means do I think people should let their animals just wander (not in the U.S any way) it is too dangerous. But they should be allowed to accompany their owners in more places. Really what is the bother to you?
We have stricter leash laws here because Americans don't clean up after their pets. A few irresponsible people ruin it for everyone.
This is a nice story. Here in Chicago we have a special beach and special parks for dogs. I think that is fine. However, I don't think dogs should be allowed on other beaches. Some limits have to be set some where. Otherwise people would have their pets in restaurants and other public places. Everyone does not like dogs. In fact, some people are afraid of them. Everyone's dog is not well-behaved. Dog bites are very common. The last statistics I read were that over one million people per year are bitten by dogs. Most of them are children. I personally do not like to be in public places where people have their dogs. I have been in banks, videos stores, and other public places where people have brought their dogs. Some of the dogs barked at other customers. To me, that is very bothersome. I prefer cats over dogs, however I do not dislike dogs.
I also live in Chicago and I would much rather have dogs on the beach than loud, obnoxious kids who trample over my blankets spewing sand all over my food, leaving their garbage behind, broken glass in the sand, and peeing in the water as keeneooh said. Be prepared if you ever travel to England because they DO allow dogs in their restaurants and anywhere else people want to take them. There are a lot more people who are badly behaved than dogs; should we ban them? Dogs normally only bite when they feel threatened or are being mistreated. Too many people don't teach their children how to respect an animal and to treat them well. What would you do if your only defense when someone threatened you was to bite? Yes, dogs bark. Yes, people yell. What is the difference. You sound very cold-hearted and I hope I never meet you because if my dog is along with me, I'll have him pee on your foot.