BROOK PARK, Ohio — There are tabbies, calicos, torties and solids: all adoptable cats at the Cleveland APL, where recently one former resident caused quite the commotion.
"Oh my goodness! People were very impressed with him, so they immediately started reaching out and the comments blew up on Facebook," said Brenda Evans, the APL's Shelter Manager.
She's talking about a young tomcat picked up and brought to the shelter in March. His demeanor, described as 'laid back' and 'cool.'
But that's not what made the gray striped cat a show stopper. It was his enormous cheeks.
A shelter worker gave him the unusual name of "Duckphone." Fans of the MTV show "Jersey Shore" will recall a house phone shaped like a mallard duck, with round cheeks. The worker noticed a resemblance - and the name stuck.
Once vetted and ready to be adopted, the puffy-faced cat went up on the APL's website and social media accounts. His photo launched more than a thousand comments within days.
Among those "cat-ivated" - teen April Walsh.
"I was like, 'Oh my gosh. He's the cutest cat I've ever seen!' So I had to get him," Walsh said. Her mother Brandi Beddorak cautioned April not to get her hopes up. "I saw that there were over a thousand comments on his Facebook post and I told her he's not gonna be there."
But the duo were in luck. Duckphone was still there and ready to be adopted.
That's not where Duckphone's story ends. His impressive cheeks can sometimes be a sign of something called feline immunodeficiency virus. FIV+ cats like Duckphone can live long healthy lives, but are more susceptible to certain illnesses.
"Say a common cat without FIV catches an upper respiratory infection, they can sometimes fight if off on their own. A cat with FIV however, is going to need to see the vet. So they require a little bit extra attention, care and vet care," said Evans.
Familiar with FIV, April and Brandi brought Duckphone home where he settled right in, though his popularity continued to soar.
"Everyone was talking about how they need updates and stuff. And he's just a very unique cat," said April.
Among his fans, local pet photographer Greg Murray, who asked to photograph the distinguished cat. Duckphone also had his own feature in Cleveland Magazine.
Then there was the feature on The Dodo, which reaches a mere 100 million pet owners every month!
With demand for more "Duckphone" going strong, April wisely launched his own Instagram page, which in just a short time, has over 3,000 followers, who have their own name.
"His fans they call themselves the ducklings," April said.
Not taking his good fortune for granted, the rescue cat gives back via the APL with Duckphone's FIV+ cat of the week and Duckphone's FeLV cat of the week, for those with feline leukemia.
And just like any typical feline, Duckphone does things his way -- choosing the occasion of our visit with him, to skip the spotlight all together - and preferring to hide out under the family couch instead of greeting his visitors.
That's okay Duckphone, you've earned a little downtime.
Check out Duckphone's FIV+ and FeLV cats of the week HERE.
The APL is organizing an adoption event for June that will reduce fees. Look for details on their social media channels.