Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, MP Stephen Andrew say Precious the cat can stay at Koumala Hotel
A Qld hotel will no longer be asked to rehome their cat of 14 years after the Health Minister granted the precious pub cat an exemption. VIDEO: See her happy in her favourite spot.
Mackay
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Precious the cat has landed on her feet will not be leaving her pub home any time soon thanks to the work of her supporters in the public and government.
The now official mascot of the Koumala Pub, Precious has called the pub home for more than 14 years.
Cared for by the two publicans, she spends her days lounging in the pub’s pool room.
She found herself in hot water with the Mackay council after reportedly being seen in the kitchen, but thanks to support from Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and Mirani MP Stephen Andrew she has escaped forced rehoming will all of her nine lives intact.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Mr Andrew said to Ms Fentiman outside Queensland parliament.
“It’s been a big interest thing for all people in my electorate.
“They just couldn’t understand why after 18 years the cat had to be rehomed.”
Following the council ruling the cat be rehomed the pub launched the ‘Save our Precious Pussy’ campaign, which included putting a sign in front of the hotel, promoting a new ‘precious pussy’ cocktail and an online petition which, as of writing, has 7,252 signatures.
Precious’ owners, Rowena and Ray Colgrave said tourists love seeing a pub cat.
“Lots of country hotels have a pub cat, and they know the reason why — to help with vermin. It’s the crush season, and mice and rats come out of the cane fields,” Rowen Colgrave said.
Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said when she heard about Precious she wanted to make sure she could stay.
“I’ve spoken to the mayor,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Both Queensland Health and council agree as long as precious isn’t in the kitchen there’s no reason she shouldn’t stay.”
In a post to the Koumala Pub Facebook page the Colgraves thanked Mr Andrew for his support.
“Great news for us and everyone of you from here and abroad who cared and supported this story of precious staying in her lovely home,” they wrote.
“People power is amazing!”
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