A cat named Defib, residing at the London Ambulance Station, faced eviction. The feline had lived there for 16 years after being rescued by a staff member. Unfortunately, London Ambulance Service was planning to rehome Defib due to some of the staff’s allergies. However, after receiving signatures from over 62,000 people, the London ambulance station has decided against ousting Defib the tuxedo cat.
LAS Chief Executive confirms Defib’s 16-year stay will continue
Defib has been a resident of the Walthamstow Ambulance Station for over a decade, living an eventful life. He was first found by a staff member at the station in 2008 when he was a tiny kitten.
However, after 16 years, the London Ambulance Service planned on finding another home for the feline. Several staff members struggled with allergies around Defib, making working at the station difficult. Moreover, Defib is not the quickest of cats, thus it would be unwise to leave him around moving vehicles.
Following the news of his potential eviction, a petition was started on behalf of Defib which received a whopping 62,681 signatures. In the latest update, the message for supporters reads, “With all your help, love, and kindness a decision has been made to let me stay in my beloved home with my amazing friends.” The note ends with an adorable “nose boops.”
The Chief Executive of the London Ambulance Service, Daniel Elkeles, took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the news. He also clarified that his team was “trying to make the best decision for both Defib and all our staff.”
A staff member of Walthamstow Ambulance Station told BBC, “He is very friendly and therapeutic.” He was elated the agency reversed its decision to evict Defib. He hopes the London Ambulance Station cat can continue living surrounded by his family for days to come.
