Who is SLO County’s cutest cat? Meet the ‘very photogenic’ winner of Tribune contest
San Luis Obispo County’s cutest cat has stunning eyes, “lots of personality” and loves playing fetch with his favorite mouse toy, his owner said.
In November, The Tribune went in search of the most purr-fect pet in SLO County. More than 60 adorable kitties were nominated for the competition.
Now, after three rounds of voting, Tribune subscribers have crowned a winner: Oliver, also known as Ollie.
Who is SLO County’s cutest cat?
Ollie, who lives in Arroyo Grande with his owner, Karen Mae Davis, is an exotic shorthair cat with a dramatically marbled coat and round copper-colored eyes.
“Everybody that meets him has told me he’s the cutest one,” Davis said. “He’s very photogenic.”
In July, Davis lost her pet of 18 years, a Persian cat called Sophie.
“It was just horrendous” when Sophie died, Davis said. “I’m one of those single, childless females. I’ve never lived alone without an animal or a man.”
After a couple of months, Davis went back to the same breeder who raised her previous cat and found Ollie.
“You look at him and you fall into his eyes,” she said. “His markings are so spectacular. I just melted when I saw him.”
Ollie ended up being the perfect choice for Davis, a retired costumer who worked on movies and televisions including “24,” “Ally McBeal,” “Batman and Robin” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” She moved to San Luis Obispo County seven years ago.
“He has been a savior because he has so much personality and he’s so active,” Davis said of her cat, who’s now 8 months old.
What makes Tribune contest winner special?
Ollie “fetches like a dog,” Davis said. “If you throw a ball, he’ll catch it and bring it back to you.”
The cat’s favorite place to play is the bathroom — “He likes the slippery floor,” his owner explained — although he’s been known to toss around his toys in the empty Jacuzzi tub as well.
Ollie also enjoys snuggling his owner.
His preferred sleeping position is “on my head or on my feet,” Davis said. “He’s very loving and friendly.”
Looking back, Davis can’t imagine life without her sweet kitty.
“Bringing him home was the best decision I’ve ever made!” Davis wrote in an email to The Tribune.
This story was originally published December 24, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
