Algonquin Cat Hosts Party To Benefit Shelter Animals

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- She's a fixture in New York: The Algonquin Cat, whose been holding court at the legendary hotel near Bryant Park since the 1930s, when a stray wandered in and then-owner Frank Case allowed a kitty he named Rusty to call the hotel home.

Rusty was renamed Hamlet in honor of John Barrymore who was playing Hamlet on Broadway at the time, and the rest, as they say, is history.

There have been Algonquin Cats ever since, with the males named Hamlet and the females (for some unknown reason) named Matilda. Matilda III, hotel spokeswoman and cat wrangler Alice DeAlmeida told 1010 WINS, has the best job in the world.

"Who else gets paid to nap on the job," she said.

Matilda is also huge hit with the hotel guests.

"She equalizes everyone," said DeAlmeida. "You can have a serious banker or stockbroker in a gazillion dollar suit and all of a sudden he's pulling out his cellphone and taking pictures and telling his wife, 'honey, they've got a cat!'"

On Saturday, August 2, Matilda III will host the Algonquin's annual fundraiser and feline fashion show to benefit The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals.

Matilda is a rescue herself, having been adopted from the North Shore Animal League, where someone left this purebred, spayed and declawed Ragdoll dumped in a box at their front door. DeAlmeida says Matilda wants to give back and help her friends find their forever homes.

Watch video of Matilda III's Algonquin debut in All For Animals with 1010WINS' Susan Richard:

A $40 requested donation will benefit The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals which will have its mobile adoption unit outside the hotel from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. filled with available cats and kittens.

The party runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will include a Broadway themed cat fashion show presented by Ada Nieves featuring costumes inspired by the shows Pippin, Wicked, Mamma Mia and others. Also making a special appearance are Tara the Hero Cat and Vito Vincent, the orange tabby who recently appeared in the Broadway show "Breakfast At Tiffany's".

Seating is limited. No pets allowed. To make a reservation, call 212-419-9197. Get more info by clicking HERE.

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