Coal, the final cat from the once-thriving feline colony outside Canada's Parliament, has sadly passed away at the age of 17 following a battle with aggressive lung cancer. His death was reported on a dedicated Facebook page where followers had tracked his life and condition.
Details surrounding Coal's early life are scarce, but his adoptive owner, Danny Taurozzi, speculates he may have been abandoned as a kitten. Coal became part of a larger community that once included as many as three dozen cats, living in makeshift shelters that mimicked the architecture of the nearby Centre Block building.
Taurozzi was part of a devoted group of volunteers who cared for the colony located behind a wrought-iron fence near the House of Commons. Many of the cats, including Coal, were friendly enough to interact with visitors, enhancing the allure of the colony as a tourist attraction. Over the years, this unique site was frequented by a range of visitors, including raccoons attracted to scraps and numerous tourists, who saw the cats as a must-see alongside the historical political structures.
The colony’s fame even reached dignitaries such as the Dalai Lama and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, both of whom took the opportunity to visit and engage with the playful felines. Coal's passing marks the end of an era for this beloved community, which brought smiles and connection to both locals and visitors alike.
