Cat famous for life at Texas public library will soon need new home. Meet Pepper
An affectionate cat became famous in the town of Fredericksburg, Texas, after local officials decided to banish her from her home at a public library. Now, she's looking for a new home.
Despite a circulating petition of over 9,000 signatures, the Gillespie County Commissioners Court decided the feline had to go, Kens 5 reported. The young cat named Pepper, who was rescued by the Pioneer Memorial Library, acted as both a beloved unofficial member of the staff and pest catcher.
'Once in a quiet corner of the Fredericksburg Public Library, nestled between novels and non-fiction, a small, calico shadow was once stealing hearts one purr at a time. Her name is Pepper, and she now resides at the HCSPCA—she's a 5-month-old kitten with a soft soul, a sweet disposition, and is on a new mission: finding her forever home,' the Hill County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in an April 21 Facebook post.
The community fought hard to keep Pepper in her original home and the Change.org petition to keep her in the library had 9,338 signatures as of April 23.
'Pepper is not just a cat; she's become an essential part of our community. She provides companionship to library goers, fosters a welcoming environment, and encourages younger visitors to engage with the library,' the petition says.
Many people not only signed, but left pleading comments as well on Pepper's behalf.
'Having a cat in our local library will not only bring more tranquility to the space but also encouragement of reading,' one person said.
Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones spoke to Kens 5 about the decision to remove Pepper.
'Regrettably, the presence of the cat in the County Library has now become a divisive issue, pitting members of our community against one another,' Jones said to the news outlet. 'This situation is also now taking away focus and resources from the other important work of conducting the business of the people of Gillespie County.'
For now, the shelter is looking for a permanent — and loving — place for Pepper to officially land when she's ready. According to Pepper's pet profile, she's not ready for adoption 'just yet.'
'While she's adored by all at the library, Pepper's story is still waiting for its happy ending,' the shelter said. 'Rescued as a stray and taken in temporarily by the kind-hearted staff, she's now ready for a permanent place to call home—somewhere with cozy laps, gentle hands, and all the love she so readily returns.'
For more information, visit the shelter's website.
Fredericksburg is about a 70-mile drive north from San Antonio.
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