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Cats as do they please, and it doesn’t matter where they are, they’re going to do what they want. Have you ever tried to get your cat to stop doing something you didn’t want them to do? Then you probably know the trials and tribulations of one supermarket that has a cat problem.
Brockley, London is where you’ll find a pesky cat who refuses to go away. The ginger cat took up residence last year in a local branch of the Sainsbury’s supermarket, and is determined to stay. Shoppers soon began posting photos of the stubborn cat sitting on shelves.
The cat quickly became a local celebrity, and attracted shoppers who just wanted to see the feline up close. Twitter users would say that the workers would chase the cat out, and then the cat would just return. The cat even got his own social media hashtag – #brockleycat. Most of the pictures featured the cat hanging on the shelves of the store.
Customers love the cat, who comes from the house next door. They post sightings on Facebook pages, and are always up for getting the cat a friendly pet. The unnamed feline appears to enjoy the attention, despite his sour face. “Everyone was stopping to give him a tickle,” one shopper reported on the local FB neighborhood page.
The store security decided to remove the cat because of the food safety regulations but the cat paid no mind to their objections and clearly presented himself as a force to be reckoned with, returning again and again. He clearly has found his second home and it’s this store.
Like the cat you may have at home, each time he was removed from the store, he came right back in, according to reports. One Twitter user said he “sauntered straight back in,” which sounds about right, because cats do know how to saunter. Then the cat stayed away for a bit.
A couple of weeks went by without Brockley Cat thrilling guests. Brockley Cat wouldn’t stay away from the store for very long, though, because before too long, he was back. His return was heralded on social media by the shoppers, who shared images of his return. One shopper, Helen Galt, wrote “Spot the cat” with her image of the persistant feline.
Brockley Cat’s fans were thrilled to have him back, and the Facebook posts about him crowned him as the “star of Brockley.” He started being referenced as Grumpy Cat, based on the popular social media star of the same name, since the two shared grumpy faces. He could even be a local attraction for tourists to Brockley, the Facebook posts suggested.
Since the cat was making such a stir, the security staff was more on-alert. However, the feline would just simply go out of reach, climbing or jumping to higher spots in the store. One photo showed him glowering at shoppers and security from atop the Sainsbury’s freezer. Like your own cat, he knows how to stay just within..then out…of reach.
Some shoppers or community residents were concerned about the kitty, commenting that it was “outside looking really confused” when the store was closed for Christmas. However, another commenter identified the mysterious feline and shared why he was so stuck on the store.
The cat’s identity was revealed as “Olly Oliver,” and he was from the house next door to the supermarket, according to local resident Lucy Thompson. “He’s in here every day, all the time.” The store confirmed her statement, saying “The staff like him, but he is a health and safety risk.”
The cat fans and attention finally attracted his owner’s notice. Adam Oliver stated that Brockley Cat belonged to him. Adam Oliver is marked as a “LSE behavioral economist” and “journal editor” on his Twitter profile. He also refers to himself as a “keeper of animals,” which is ironic, because the cat isn’t kept. Obviously he is well-fed and adored though.
The cat’s name really is Olly, the owner confirmed. He also let people know that the cat definitely isn’t lost and isn’t a stray, just a feline that loves the Sainsbury’s store. He shared on Twitter that he the staff has been instructed to remove Olly is he’s too bothersome, saying “throw him out if too pesky.”
It turns out, however, that Olly isn’t even alone in the home. He has a brother, Stilton, who doesn’t share Olly’s fondness of roaming over to the store. Oliver says he got Olly when the feline was six weeks old. He also doesn’t mind Olly’s sassy and determined nature.
The cat isn’t available for any store visits, however. Oliver said, “I don’t think he can fit any other shops in his schedule.” He also pointed out that Olly isn’t grumpy, it’s just how his face “looks.” Anyone can see that the cat loves people despite his grumpy appearance, that’s for sure.
Olly received attention not only from local residents, but also a major publication. The Time Out London magazine crowned the kitty “animal of the week,” largely due to his hijinks and undetermined nature. His attention didn’t stop there, either, as Olly became an online celeb.
For those who want to keep up on Olly’s obsession with Sainsbury’s, there’s a Twitter feed for the cat at the handle @BrockleyCat. The feed also lets his public know what goes on when he’s not in the store, such daily cat naps and spending time with Stilton. Oliver also posts photos such as these.
One Twitter picture showed Olly waiting at the doors of the supermarket, but in vain, thanks to the automatic door. “Unfortunately automatic doors don’t open to cats,” lamented Twitter user Marjo. Olly’s response was typical Olly. “Never give up, never surrender.”
Olly’s cool cat vibe has been appreciated by even fellow two-legged celebrities, such as Alice Cooper. The rock star shared a meme with Olly’s face with the hashtag #freakyfacts. Olly refused to be starstruck, recognizing that he too was a superstar.
Olly’s attention had one drawback: he was getting too much food. His fans have to be told not to feed him, and he can’t go to the store without getting petted by shoppers. He only has one mission: to be in the store as long as possible, and he does it, day in, day out.
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