The Stevenage railway station in Hertfordshire, England, has found a new four-legged superstar in Nala, the railway cat. Having made her second home at this bustling junction, the ginger feline has been amusing commuters for quite a while. According to BBC News, Nala’s escapades have made her the subject of countless photographs. Many of these frames capture her perched on a ticket gate.
Cat craves attention of railway commuters
Shortly after Nala’s rise to fame, her owner, Natasha Ambler, launched a Facebook page dedicated to her railway cat. The page has become a community hub where people can share their encounters with the feline.
According to Ambler, Nala enjoys the attention — even frequenting the station during rush hours when there is peak foot traffic. In fact, she seems to be well aware of when the commuters will be around. Even Shaun Smith, Great Northern’s station manager at Stevenage, has become charmed by Nala.
In Smith’s words, this railway cat is “breaking down barriers by making people smile.” Smith went on to praise Nala for fostering a positive atmosphere and encouraging interactions among staff and customers.
Nala has a forever home but loves to explore
Four-year-old Nala lives near the station and has a loving home. However, she remains an outdoor cat through and through, often taking solo trips to both the station and a neighboring leisure park.
Ambler even disclosed an incident where her adventurous feline spent the night in a cinema. Consequently, Ambler’s friend managed to rescue Nala and bring the famed railway cat home. Nala also has a GPS tracker that is used to monitor her adventures. In addition, her owner makes sure the feline sports a collar with the cat’s name and her owner’s details.
Nala’s love for exploration — and accompanying tendency to turn up at strange places — has prompted inquiries from concerned online followers. At one point, Ambler was receiving “about 20 calls a day from people asking if [her] cat was lost.” Consequently, she had to “get a second tag made up to tell people ‘she’s not lost,'” in the hopes the calls would die down.
There is a substantial body of research that suggests free-roaming cats pose a danger to both themselves and local wildlife. And, while there are both pros and cons of letting one’s pet outdoors, Ambler expressed little concern about Nala’s love for exploration. “She’s well-loved and content with what she’s doing.” However, Ambler jokingly adds that she hopes her furry friend does not attempt to take a train ride one day.
