16 November 2023 , 15:43
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A hefty cat that attracted throngs of feline enthusiasts to Poland from across the world has found a new home and shared a hot new look.
The sizeable black-and-white cat named Gacek became an icon in his home town of Szczecin, a large sea port whose previous residents include feminist icon Catherine the Great. The weight-clad feline clocked up more than 2,500 reviews and achieved a near perfect 4.9/5 score online, making him the town's most popular attraction.
For years Gacek had been living out of a box on Kaszubska Street, earning the affection and attention of locals who are keen to feed the hungry mammal. His international stardom had been launched in 2020 after local news outlet wSzczecinie featured him in a video which went viral.
Since then many people have made the journey to Szszecin to meet the 'King of Kaszubska Street' for themselves. One person claimed to have made the trip all the way from Oslo, Norway - a journey of close to 1,000kms - to meet the cat.
“As expected, he didn’t pay any attention to me which made the experience fully wholesome,” one visitor from Oslo wrote. "If I could have a dinner with anyone in the world, I would fly again in an instant to feed him. Can recommend!" Another commented: “Good cat for a nice evening or even afternoon."
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Another wrote: "Fantastically handsome and superb fellow, Gacek graced us with his presence. We were humbly in awe of His Magnificence." While Gacek was technically a street cat, he did have a box which he called home, and an owner who looked after him.
In the past few months, a lot has changed for the iconic moggy. Earlier this month his listing was removed from Google. It came after locals expressed concerns over the cat’s health, worrying about his teeth and joints. Others suggested that those visiting him had been too liberal with the cat food, leading him to put on a little timber.
Happily, the city’s Animal Welfare Association took him in to be treated. In September the organisation announced that Gacek was doing very well and had found a new home.
“I'm no longer Gacek. From today, call me George.... George Clooney in the cat version, yes that’s the new me! I'm fit and I'm good with it. I'm running up and down stairs, jumping on countertops,” a post from the animal welfare group read. The post urged people to donate cat food in order to help other cats, saying that “the shelves near their cages are empty” and that they are “sitting in cages, waiting to be adopted”.
If you fancy a trip to Poland but aren't wild about the prospect of Szczecin, then Krakow may be more up your street. The historical city is incredibly well connected to the UK, with 28 non-stop flights to and from London alone each day.
As the spiralling cost of living continues to eat into many people's disposable incomes, the excellent value it offers is increasingly appealing. The cost of a flight from the UK and two nights in the M29 hotel - which is rated four stars by guests - is just £133 per person.
Two nights in March in Krakow's Raddison Blu, with breakfast and flights included, will set a couple back £152 all in. There are plenty of offers on Lastminute.com - including an incredibly budget three-night stay for £88 in January - that underline quite how cheap a stay in the city can be.