Best Friends is home to hundreds of dogs, cats, horses, bunnies, birds, goats, sheep, and wildlife, but many people don’t realize that the sanctuary is also harboring two “social butterflies.”

These feline ambassadors are better known as Bigglesworth and K.C. – the cottage cats. They live in the laundry room behind the Best Friends cottages where they have their own small cattery and are cared for by the Housekeepers. Although Bigglesworth and K.C. have a cozy home and are well cared for, they spend most of their time elsewhere. They’ve earned their “social butterfly” wings by being two of the most popular sleepover animals at the sanctuary. They even have their own schedule, managed by the Housekeepers!

Guests who stay at the Best Friends cottages frequently request Bigglesworth and/or K.C. to be their overnight guests. Repeat visitors often send in their “cat” requests months in advance. The cats’ overnight supplies include food, dishes, a litter box and toys. Bigglesworth has her very own personalized overnight bag, made for her by an adoring fan.

Bigglesworth, sometimes known as “Mrs. B” or “Biggs,” was the original Cottage Sleepover Cat and has been on the job for over two years. She was rescued from a dumpster by one of the Best Friends housekeepers in a small community north of Kanab. Her personality could be described as self-confident, laid back and mellow.

Bigglesworth’s social calendar was so full that K.C. was “hired” two years ago as an apprentice. It’s hard to believe, but K.C. began life as a feral cat, rescued from a shed when she was a kitten by NaKole, one of the Best Friends housekeepers. NaKole fed the kitten faithfully and then, after a year, decided to try K.C. as a “cottage” cat.

It turns out that the job suits K.C. perfectly. She loves going on sleepovers and has taken some pressure off of Bigglesworth, who was finding that being so popular could be very demanding. K.C. is only three years old and quite active. As one guest stated, “She absolutely stole my heart and hasn't given it back. She is such a pistol. I just love her.”

K.C. earned her nickname “The Snoop” by climbing into any box she can find. In fact, cottage guests have even supplied boxes to keep her entertained.

While the cottages at Best Friends are very comfortable, clean and popular, Bigglesworth and K.C. have “kicked the experience up a notch” for hundreds of sanctuary visitors.

Story by Sue Francesconi
Photo by Carrie Fagerstrom

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