After the widespread popularity of internet cats like Grumpy Cat® and Lil Bub, you might think that the world has had its fill of soft and adorably-cute felines. Thankfully, the world has not grown tired of unique kitties; Cye, a tiny Munchkin cat living in Kitchener, ON, has recently gained the notable distinction of being the “world’s shortest cat” according to the Guinness World Records.
I, for one, am so proud of Cye’s owner Sarah Langille for stepping forth with details on her petite pet. After years of being envious of the owners of Grumpy Cat®, I can now define my hometown as being the birthplace of a cat that stands 13.6 centimetres (5.35 inches) at shoulder height from the ground (Daily Times, April 1st, 2014).
Not only that, but Cye is adorable. Munchkin cats, which were originally recognized by The International Cat Association in 1995, have extremely short legs due to a genetic mutation (Wikipedia article). This does not seem to interfere with their running or leaping abilities (though they do occasionally suffer from hollow chests or excessive curvature of the spine), and they are consequently a relatively healthy, sweet-natured, people-oriented breed (Wikipedia article). Cye’s owner Sarah is a hobby breeder of the tiny cats.
Cye does have a damaged eye from an accident when he was a kitten; otherwise he is a healthy three-year old cat that likes to stand up on his hind legs and has suddenly attracted the world’s attention (The Record, March 31st, 2014). The late-night comedy show Saturday Night Live aired a brief item on Cye during its Weekend Update segment, and according to The Record newspaper he has since been mentioned on “CBC News Kitchener-Waterloo, Yahoo News, the Hamilton Spectator, the Toronto Star, Global TV, Kool FM, and was carried on dozens of websites from places as far-flung as Pakistan, India and Germany”(The Record, March 31st, 2014).
Sarah has now signed an “exclusive contract” with New York media company, Barcroft Media, so expect to see a video montage of this adorable feline in the very near future!
Maria Legault 