Matilda of the Algonquin New York City

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During the 1930s Frank Case, owner of the Algonquin Hotel in New York City at the time, took in a hungry and dishevelled stray red tabby, an 'unemployed theatre cat' called Rusty, and started a tradition that continues today. In the 1920s and 30s the Algonquin was a favourite gathering place for stars of the entertainment world, and hotel lore has it that it was star John Barrymore who suggested a name change to a theatrical one, and so Rusty became Hamlet. He was given a cat door to help in his comings and goings, and is said to have enjoyed drinking milk from a champagne glass. All in all Hamlet enjoyed quite a step up from his previous existence; but he was no youngster and lasted only three years in the job before passing away.

However, the tradition was begun, and ever since there has always been a cat at the Algonquin. Incumbents have the run of the hotel to go where they please, apart from the kitchens and the hotel dining room. Males always take the name Hamlet, while females are called Matilda. It wasn't until 1987 that the first female took on the job; like her predecessors she came from a shelter. Matilda I remained in post for 10 years, when Matilda II (pictured left) took over and was the first Algonquin cat not to have come from a rescue shelter. She was a pedigree Ragdoll who was 'cat of the year' in 2006 at the Westchester Cat Show. She joined the hotel in 1997 at the age of 2, making her in 2010 a mature lady of about 15 years of age, when it was decided that she should retire. She went to a very nice home in Brooklyn, where she can relax, watch the birds, sit in the sun — and doze on a four-poster bed!

With Matilda III (main photo above, and below) the hotel reverted to the tradition of taking on a 'rescue' cat, and she came from the North Shore Animal League; she had been stuffed in a box and dumped at the League's front door. Therefore her origins are unknown; she appeared to be about 4 years old when she took up her hotel duties in December 2010.

She is fed by the doormen; she even has her own e-mail address, answered on her behalf by the general manager's executive assistant. There is normally a birthday party each year in August, thrown by the hotel, to which other feline guests may be invited; these parties raise money for cat charities. The tradition is to be resumed in 2012, while in 2011 the party was more of a 'coming-out ball' for the new arrival. Matilda II's 2009 party was a high-class and high-fashion affair, with benefits going to the North Shore Animal League America, where details and a slide show can be seen.

Until recently one of Matilda's favourite supervisory spots, from where she could oversee the arrival and departure of guests; was on her personal chair in the lobby. However, since November 2011 her freedom has been somewhat restricted, and she is no longer allowed in the lobby. Other establishments that serve food have fallen foul of the New York Department of Hygiene's rules concerning animals, and since food can be served in the hotel lobby Matilda is no longer allowed there. She can still go to the arrival area or take up a favoured position behind the front-desk computer, and is allowed in the coatroom, which is her most favourite haunt of all. Guests still frequently ask where the cat is, and hotel employees, now keeping more of an eye on her to avoid any contravention of regulations, can usually say where she is to be found.

Fa-Raon of Paris

The beautiful, blue-eyed white Birman cat Fa-Raon (the French for 'pharaoh' is 'pharaon'), born in May 2010, has since taken up the position of chief meeter and greeter at the exclusive five-star Hotel le Bristol in Paris, France, where as resident feline he generally oversees things. He rubs shoulders — or exchanges head-butts — with guests, including celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Leonardo di Caprio when they are in town. Occasionally he might meet selected guests at the airport in the hotel's Smart Car. He features on the hotel's website, where he is described as intelligent and affectionate, and as 'living in harmony with the hotel, playing in the lobby, wandering through the French-style gardens and purring with pleasure at attention and strokes from guests and staff.' Not surprisingly, he is a great favourite with children. After a busy day's duties are completed, his favoured relaxation spot is at the concierge's desk. 'C'est une bonne vie,' he purrs contentedly — 'It's a good life.'

(with acknowledgements to Mousebreath)