Hollywood’s feline phenom?

Robert the cat could be a Hollywood kitty, according to the Mower County Humane Society. MCHS volunteers said a California animal entertainment company is interested in Robert because he looks like 9Lives spokescat Morris the Cat. -- Trey Mewes/trey.mewes@austindailyherald.com

Humane Society cat could stand in for Morris the Cat

Robert isn’t your average 5-year-old stray cat.

For one thing, he’s an orange cat who makes his home at the Mower County Humane Society. For another, he is a Morris the Cat look-alike.

Morris is a decades-old celebrity mascot for 9Lives cat food. The original Morris made his debut in Robert Altman’s “The Long Goodbye” as a cat who disappeared when main character Philip Marlowe doesn’t give him the food he likes.

Since then, Morris has been known as the “world’s most finicky cat,” since he only eats 9Lives food. The current Morris is owned by Rose Ordile, who runs Animals of a Different Color LLC, the animal grooming and coloring business responsible for plenty of animals seen in commercials and movies. Ordile’s work can be seen in movies like “Little Nicky,” “Meet the Fockers,” “The Princess Diaries,” “Memoirs of a Geisha” and more.

Ordile contacted MCHS last week asking about Robert, as he could be made into a Morris look-alike for nursing home visits and possibly even a few commercials, according to MCHS volunteer Kelly Rush.

There’s no word yet from Ordile, but Rush and other volunteers aren’t sure of Robert’s chances, given his medical history. Robert was found one wintry morning in 2009 after spending the night with his nose frozen to the glass front door of Echo Lanes Bowling Alley.

Robert’s nasal cavities are scarred, according to Rush, and he has had several surgeries to repair his nose and remove some teeth. Robert is pretty normal otherwise, but he has the occasional sneezing and snotty nose flare-up.

“I was very honest with her,” Rush said. “The doctor said he’ll most likely have flare-ups for the rest of his life.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean Robert is out of the running, but there’s been no word from Ordile since.

A new home for Morris?

Robert is one of many cats who have made the Humane Society their home for a year or longer. The humane society has adopted out six cats this month, which is about average for this time of the year. The humane society is looking to raise funds for a new, expanded shelter but has yet to announce an official campaign. Volunteers are meeting to figure out what the building would look like and have raised more than $150,000 in funding, along with donated land outside the city limits.

SportsPlus

Education

Saluting service: Pacelli’s Veterans Day program a story of the past and future

Mower County

Call for Volunteers: Salvation Army looking for extra help for busy holiday season

News

Trump wins the White House in a political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Education

In Your Community: Money donated in Grandma Shirley’s name

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Mower County

In Your Community: Fourth Holiday Bing-Oh! prize claimed

News

The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns

News

Jury convicts man of killing girlfriend and hiding her body in rural Minnesota

Mower County

Tom Robbins to be new executive director of Austin Area Arts

Mower County

Institute scientist and team’s database work featured in science communication publication

Business

Hy-Vee celebrates 25 Years of its Veterans Day Breakfast

Mower County

I-90 Austin detour planned Nov. 15-18 for Fourth Street bridge demolition

Business

Hormel named a Best for Vets Employer for 12th year in a row

Mower County

Technical issue from Tuesday night’s election results in slight ballot count changes

News

2024 Election Rundown

Mower County

Patricia Mueller retains District 23B seat

Mower County

Zielke wins special election to round out Green’s school board seat

Mower County

Incumbents hold seats for Mayor, City Council; Waller returns to council in Ward 2

Mower County

Glynn earns fourth term on County Board, Mueller a second term

News

Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Mower County

Technical issues causing delay in upload of Mower voter tallies

News

Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota wins 4th Senate term, defeating GOP ex-NBA player Royce White

News

AP Race Call: Republican Brad Finstad wins reelection to U.S. House in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District