The most famous cathedral cat, Doorkins Magnificat has announced her retirement.
Doorkins has been a much loved feature at Southwark Cathedral since she first turned up at the south west door during Christmas 2008 and decided to make it her home.
In that time she has met the Queen, published her first book, been immortalised in her own corbel, set up her own cat food bank supporting a local cat charity, has her own range of merchandise, her own social media account – and entertained tens of thousands of visitors – some who come just for the pleasure of trying to spot her.
She announced her retirement on twitter yesterday.
“It is with great sadness to say that I am now not living at Southwark Cathedral.
“Due to my deteriorating health especially eyesight (I keep bumping into old things … not the Dean!) I am going to be living with one of the cathedral staff where I will enjoy my semi-retirement.
“Please don’t worry about me, I will be ‘taking over’ a home with someone I have known for many years and love to bits.
“I know I am going to be very happy there surrounded by so much love and affection plus food, very good food!”
Two years ago Doorkins became the star of a children’s book which tells her story Doorkins the Cathedral Cat written by a member of the cathedral congregation which features the famous occasion when she slept through a visit from the Queen.
When the cathedral was evacuated and sealed off in the aftermath of the London Bridge terrorist attack, local police officers put out food for her whilst her normal carers were unable to reach her.
Doorkins’ decade-long tenure at the cathedral will be remembered by future generations: she is depicted in a stone corbel to be installed on the building to replace a worn piece of stonework.
