Mysuru cat jumps to top 10 fame

If the animal lovers will, a cat from Mysore may walk into the hall of fame by being the ‘Cutest Rescued Cat Alive’.

Yes, an one-year old cat from the city has made it to the top 10 finalists in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s Cutest Rescued Cat Alive contest. The result will be known in another four days, with August 11 being the last to pick the top three winners through voting.

Avinash Kumar, a native of Nainital, pursuing his research on plants in Mysuru is the proud guardian of the cat.  A resident of Saraswatipuram in the city, Kumar exuded confidence that his ‘Sparky’ will be the winner. “I will be happy”, exults Kumar.

Ask about his encounter with Sparky, Kumar turns voluble speaking to Deccan Herald.

“I was sipping coffee at a shop in the locality (Saraswatipuram), when I found the kitten.

It had suffered some minor injuries. In no time, it was found running behind an insect, but sneaked beneath an autorickshaw engine. Fearing that the heat of the engine, may hurt the kitten, I just pulled it out. It was about a few months old then”.

Kumar took it home and took care of it for a week. Initially, he had made up his mind to find a suitable person who can adopt the same. But, developed a bond with it later, that changed his mind. Since then, it is a part of his life.

Two months ago, Kumar enrolled for the contest and to his surprise made it to the top 10. According to PETA, what went in favour of ‘Sparky’ is the intriguing rescue story and how it was nursed back to a healthy life by Kumar.

Up for grabs

According to PETA, the lucky guardian of the kitty who is named the Cutest Rescued Cat Alive will receive a first-place certificate, a copy of Ingrid Newkirk and Jane Ratcliffe's book- One Can Make a Difference, a “My Cat Is a Rescue" T-shirt, a PETA T-shirt and a cute cat toy.

The second-place winner's guardian will receive a second-place certificate, a copy of One Can Make a Difference, a “My Cat Is a Rescue” T-shirt and a cute cat toy.

The third-place winner's guardian will receive a third-place certificate, a copy of One Can Make a Difference and a cute cat toy.

The top three kitties will appear in an upcoming issue of Animal Times, PETA India's magazine for members. The voting ends on August 11.