If you are familiar with 9Lives cat food, you know that there is always a cheerful orange tabby licking his chops for this tasty food. But where did this mascot come from? His name was Morris the Cat and he was a pretty interesting fella. The first interesting thing to know is that he is an orange tabby cat.

What might shock you is that the original Morris was pretty darn old, and many have walked in his place. Here we have nine amazing facts to match the nine lives of this remarkable feline.

The 9 Facts About Morris the Cat

1. Morris Was an Orange Tabby Cat

The original Morris was just like all of his predecessors. He was an orange tabby cat. Orange tabby cats are said to be highly social, and Morris obviously had to be, as he was a star. What’s really interesting is that 80% of all tabby cats are males and only 20% are females.

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2. Morris the Cat Had a Handler

Bob Martwick discovered this adorable feline at the Humane Society in Hinsdale, Illinois. Martwick said he was an astonishing cat, capable of responding well to training. He had both of the first and second Morris the Cats as pets in his home.

Unlike the first Morris, Martwick decided not to disclose the shelter location of the second Morris the Cat.

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3. The Real Morris the Cat Died at 17

The real Morris the Cat lived a very long life, dying at the ripe old age of 17 years old. Poor Morris passed suddenly of a heart attack, but he did live a long, meaningful life while he was here! He was buried on Bob’s property—a suburban area in Chicago.

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4. There Have Been Several Morris the Cats Since

Morris the Cat might have been one unique feline. So special, in fact, that there had to be replacements after his death to keep his legacy going. Since Morris passed away, two other cats stepped up to the plate to continue what the original started.

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5. Morris Ran Presidential Campaigns

Morris the Cat stunned the nation with his proclamation for the presidency in 1988—then again in 1992!

In 2012, Morris the Cat announced his candidacy once more in the presidential elections. He designated the mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, Stubbs the Cat, to be his running mate.

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6. 9Lives Carries on as if There Is Still Only One Morris the Cat

Unfortunately, cats don’t live forever. Since 1978, three cats have played the role of Morris the Cat for 9Lives advertising. Two lived with the original trainer, and today’s cat lives with another. Regardless, all three cats are orange tabbies in order to maintain continuity with the brand.

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7. The Current Morris Lives With a New Handler

Bob Martwick had the first Morris the cat, creating waves in television history. Today, there is a new handler that is one with the current Morris the Cat. Her name is Rosie Ordile, and she lives in Los Angeles, California.

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8. Morris Has Been a Part of Animal Welfare Advocacy

Morris has really been in the limelight, creating awareness for cats in need across the globe. He acted as the spokescat to speak on responsible pet ownership, overall health, and adoptions. Can you believe the talent?

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9. Morris Starred in Famous Movies

Morris the Cat was a real fan of the big screen. He was in all of the 9Lives commercials and starred in The Long Goodbye and Shamus, playing with big-time actors like Elliot Gould, Burt Reynolds, and Dyan Cannon.

Conclusion

Morris the Cat has been quite an impactful character, and it doesn’t really matter which Morris cat is who. All of them have done their part in raising awareness for adoptive pets and the overall nutritional needs of felines.

Morris continues to inspire generations with advertising, marketing, and influence in the pet food industry and more! We hope his legacy continues for decades to come.

• See Also: 8 Awesome Jobs a Cat Can Do (Top Feline Careers)

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Featured Image Credit: 9lives.com