The free-spirit feline affectionately known by his 1,437 Facebook followers as White’s Road Park Charlie has strutted his way into the semifinals of the "America’s Favorite Pet” competition – but now it is time to bear the fangs.
As of Monday afternoon, Charlie was sitting in 4th place in his group in his semifinal fight in the PAWS Foundation contest.
However, this semifinal is not as simple as cat vs. cat; Charlie must beat 13 other cats in his semifinal group. All in all, there are 14 groups in the semifinals, with 14 cats per group. By Friday, there will be a Final 14 to vote upon.
There are four days, including Monday, left to vote in the semifinals, with voting cutting off at 9 p.m. Thursday. One vote per email per day. The website often promotes limited time 2-for-1 voting (Two votes for every dollar donated).
The site gives the option of one free vote, or you can donate money for more votes.
The big winner gets $10,000 for their owners and the cover of "Modern Cat” magazine.
Charlie, and his nearly identical twin brother Sonny, are the lovable pets of the Ortiz Family, of Green Street. Their Upper Gwynedd home abuts the woods and playground of White’s Road Park. Charlie even has his own special pin in White’s Road Park on Google Maps and can be tracked via Apple Airtags.
Kristen Ortiz, an amateur (and award-winning) zombie makeup artist, who next year will mark 20 years as a nurse at Harborview on West Fifth Street in Lansdale, said Charlie’s competition in his group includes cats with Instagram and Facebook followers numbering in the 10,000s.
"Charlie’s competition is the other social media cats of the world,” she said.
Kristen’s husband, Jermie, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who runs classes at Team Renzo Gracie PA Academy at Hilltown Crossings Shopping Center on Bethlehem Pike, is railroad director of signal operations for SEPTA. Together, the Ortizes raise two elementary-age daughters, Scarlett and Aurora, and a young son, Indiana, alongside their furry sons.
Charlie’s fans in his Facebook group are making sure no cat is going to meow-s with Charlie.
"Not giving up on Charlie!” wrote Lisa Matl. "Never.”
"Stay positive!” wrote Kathy Marcinek. "My alarm is set for 6:30 p.m.”
"I’ve had mine set for weeks!” replied Patricia Greenwald.
"I’m more invested in this vote than I am in the upcoming general election,” wrote Kerry Parker.
Read more on the history of Charlie here.
"He should be America’s favorite cat because he is already the suburb of Lansdale Pennsylvania’s favorite cat so why not take over the country,” wrote Kristin in the entry form. "Due to his exploring the neighborhood and sometimes not coming home at night, neighbors suggested I make him a Facebook page to keep track of his whereabouts. The amount of followers became a huge surprise as apparently Charlie has more friends and acquaintances than I could have ever imagined! His chronicles are posted on Facebook daily by his many fans.”
The best thing about Charlie, to Ortiz and the community, is his free spirit.
"Charlie is an inside cat with a strong drive to be outdoors. We installed a cat door so he can come and go as he pleases which has created a whole exciting realm that Charlie explores,” Ortiz wrote. "Charlie stays around the neighborhood and is well loved and looked out for. Most of his time is in our local park, he also has certain homes he visits daily. He claims patio furniture as his own, has food bowls and toys at homes and even has sleepovers.”
According to Ortiz, Charlie does not have a favorite toy, but instead enjoys people – and food.
"He will join in on people’s picnic blankets at the park, get in on strangers’ family photos, sit on anyone’s lap that will have him for a nap, and hitch a ride in strollers of moms taking a walk,” Ortiz wrote. "He also enjoys stalking and pouncing on his brother Sonny.”
Let’s not forget Charlie’s appetite.
"He’s not picky about food, he tries any treat he is offered, will try to eat unattended ice cream, and has been known to steal turkey sandwiches from my 3-year-old son,” Ortiz wrote.
According to its website, PAWS Foundation, founded in 1967, is dedicated to helping cats and dogs and wild animals go "home” and thrive, be it a family room or a forest. The nonprofit uses donations to rehabilitate orphaned and injured wildlife and shelter homeless cats and dogs for adoption, according to its website. All in all, PAWS has helped and rehabilitated more than 270,000 animals.
See also:
Lansdale's White's Road Park Charlie at Top of Quarterfinals in ‘America’s Favorite Pet’ Competition
Orange Cat with Wanderlust Lands His Own Facebook Group, Pin on Google Maps at White’s Road Park
Whites Road Charlie in Running for PAWS Foundation's 'America's Favorite Pet’
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