Coal, last surviving cat of cherished Parliament Hill colony, dies

Coal, the Parliament Hill cat colony's last surviving feline, died on Tuesday after a battle with cancer. (Coal, a feline leader from Parliament Hill/Facebook)

It’s the end of an era on Parliament Hill.

Coal, the last surviving feline of the cherished cat colony that sat on Parliament Hill for more than 40 years, died this week, according to his owners.

A Facebook page dedicated to Coal announced he had died Tuesday at 17 years old from a “rare and aggressive cancer.”

“Coal was a sentient feline family member. He was Canada’s last surviving Parliament Hill Cat, a living thread to a cherished chapter in our country’s history,” the post said.

“He was a symbol of enduring love, quiet dignity, and a gentle presence that touched the hearts of countless people.”

Cats were brought to Parliament Hill in the early 1900s to keep down the population of rats and mice before a colony was formed and cared for by local volunteers.

The cats on the Hill had become a popular tourist attraction until the colony’s closure in 2013. The remaining cats were all adopted into new homes.

An article from the Humane Society of Canada reported the colony had nearly 30 cats in 2003.

Coal had been diagnosed with salivary gland carcinoma, which later metastasized to his lungs, his owners said. He died surrounded by his “human dad” Danny Taurozzi and younger adopted feline brother Winston.

“It was a very tough day, and I am a little bit broken. Saying goodbye to Coal was heart wrenching, but it was the humane thing to do. The tears will flow, and the sadness will linger for some time. I will miss you, little buddy,” Taurozzi shared.

The aging feline had built a large following on social media and a fundraiser that raised over $15,000 was started to fund his treatments.

His owners thanked the veterinarians who helped care for the cat in his remaining years. Despite his illness, his owners say he was able to enjoy nearly a year of a “good quality of life.”

“He was a feline gentleman with a heart of gold. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Goodbye Coal,” the cat’s Facebook page said.

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