{"id":660043,"date":"2026-05-10T11:01:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T11:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/660043\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T11:01:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T11:01:35","slug":"team-nigel-rallies-behind-east-vancouver-cat-after-complaint-about-feline-folk-hero-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/660043\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Team Nigel’ rallies behind East Vancouver cat after complaint about feline folk hero"},"content":{"rendered":"

VANCOUVER \u2014 <\/p>\n

As he flops down on an East Vancouver pavement for cuddles and back scratches, Nigel is hardly the picture of a cat with a guilty conscience.<\/p>\n

But he stands accused of crimes against the neighbourhood \u2014 and the ensuing drama has resulted in a movement that\u2019s made the already beloved Nigel a local celebrity. <\/p>\n

Near the corner of Pender Street and Woodland Drive, a growing shrine on a utility pole is peppered with depictions of the feline folk hero. \u2028<\/p>\n

Signs and artwork show Nigel and his piercing yellow eyes; many carry the slogan Team Nigel. <\/p>\n

The movement began roughly three weeks ago, after Nigel\u2019s owners put up signs in the area responding to a neighbour who had been leaving them displeased notes about their cat. <\/p>\n

The signs suggested the neighbour was upset with Nigel\u2019s behaviour and had been leaving increasingly \u201cangry\u201d notes related to Nigel\u2019s alleged gluttony. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur sense is that you are allowing him into your home and feeding him, which is encouraging him to return to your home and beg for food,\u201d his owners responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand that he can be persistent, but assure you that he has a warm home and plentiful food to come to,\u201d the signs read. <\/p>\n

The first Nigel fan\u2019s artwork appeared on the pole shortly after, and from there his legend grew. <\/p>\n

Nigel now has his own Instagram account; in a message, the page\u2019s creator said they are Nigel\u2019s \u201cnumber 1 fan\u201d and created the account to uplift the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cNigel is known to many as a sweet street cat who enjoys pets and warm car hoods on cold nights. He can outrun raccoons, is noted on Google Maps, and is a real standup guy. While we are unsure of the origins of the feud, we are wholeheartedly #teamnigel,\u201d one of the page\u2019s posts says. <\/p>\n

The \u201cShrine of Nigel\u201d is listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps, and its five-star rating contains rave reviews from those who have interacted with the cat.<\/p>\n

Signs on the shrine were removed about a week ago. But they were quickly replenished.<\/p>\n

BC Hydro said posting signs on utility poles is prohibited because they pose a safety risk for power line workers, since staples and fasteners can damage equipment. But it said it had no record of the signs being removed by staff.<\/p>\n

One of the older signs contained details of Nigel\u2019s rumoured crimes: \u201cGrand theft tuna. Suspicion of snacklifting. Known association with the East Van meowfia.\u201d <\/p>\n

But Nigel\u2019s neighbours say the cat is innocent of all charges.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Team Nigel. They\u2019re unfounded, baseless claims,\u201d neighbour Marcin Owczarzak said, adding that while the cat seems well fed, he is not a \u201cglutton.\u201d <\/p>\n

Owczarzak said Nigel is well known in the community, and while he\u2019s occasionally had to chase the territorial feline away from his own cats, Nigel is usually \u201csuper friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s basically like the neighbourhood superhero,\u201d neighbour Christopher Dutchak said, adding that while some might take issue with the idea of a free-roaming cat, most of the community is still Team Nigel.<\/p>\n

Another neighbour, Beatriz Fantini, said Nigel is a \u201csweet\u201d and friendly cat who likes to greet others by brushing up against their legs.<\/p>\n

She had already heard of Nigel before his recent bout with fame, saying one of the things that drew her to the neighbourhood was Nigel\u2019s status as a tourist attraction. <\/p>\n

Fantini said she\u2019s noticed others making a pilgrimage to the shrine and excitedly meeting their new hero, who seems to bask in the attention.<\/p>\n

Nigel spent part of his Friday morning lounging on a bench in a neighbour\u2019s yard, before jumping down and rubbing up against a reporter\u2019s legs in a friendly greeting. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just been cool to see the community rally together around him,\u201d Fantini said. <\/p>\n

She added that she hopes his owners feel supported by their community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want them to know that we all love Nigel and we want him to just continue living his happy cat life.\u201d<\/p>\n

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2026. <\/p>\n

Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

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