At Newsweek, we love animals, and every week we crown a Newsweek Pet of the Week from our readers’ favorite pictures and videos of their fur babies.
For the first time for 2024, we’re crowning a Pet of the Year after opening up the vote to our readers. This year’s crown for the Newsweek Pet of the Year goes to Noah, an orange tabby cat whose charm and adventurous spirit has captured hearts.
From humble beginnings as a street stray, Noah is now a leash-walking local celebrity, who is even the star of his own children’s book.
Noah found his forever home in 2019, when Kathleen Kastner, a volunteer at Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas, California, decided to adopt him.
At the time, Noah was an independent street cat who was cautious around people. But with time, love and patience, he quickly warmed to his new lifestyle.
“Noah is special to me because he has transformed from being an independent street cat to a loving harmonious family member,” Kastner told Newsweek. “Our family wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Noah often breaks the stereotypes associated with cats, enjoying daily leash walks around the neighborhood and lounging in his custom-built “catio.”
These outings have made him a very well-known figure in his local community, where he is often spotted greeting neighbors and exploring with confidence.
“My favorite thing about Noah is how outgoing and friendly he is when meeting new people,” Kastner said. “He likes to place his back paws on their feet as a sign of affection.”
Noah’s charm isn’t limited to his in-person encounters. With his Instagram account, @noahsecretagent, he’s gained a large and loyal following online.
The story of his rescue has also inspired literature. In 2022, Kastner wrote and released a children’s book, Karma Cats to the Rescue, based on Noah’s real-life rescue, and it encourages young readers to show kindness and compassion towards animals.
Noah was selected from an incredible roster of 10 fantastic finalists, including Me Meow, the cat who demanded daily showers, and Rottweiler George, who taught his brother how to swim.
Don’t forget that every week we crown a new Newsweek Pet of the Week, and we’re always looking for our next winner. If you have funny or adorable pictures and videos of your pet, send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in next week’s lineup.
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