A feline who has made a station her second home captures the hearts of commuters and staff alike, becoming an adored figure.
Regulars at Stevenage station in England know Nala perfectly, this cat who made this railway station her second home . Her notoriety is such that a Facebook group was created for her and today has thousands of followers.
During rush hour, many users of Stevenage station wear a big smile despite the daily stress . What is their secret ? They met Nala , the unofficial mascot of this railway station located about thirty kilometers north of London .
This cat is not stray; she does have a house and a family who love her right next to the station, but she is used to venturing out for a good part of the day.
The 4-year-old feline is often seen sitting or lying on one of the boarding gates, the BBC reports . Passengers and staff from the Great Northern Railway frequently stop to say hello and take photos of her.
The Facebook group dedicated to her, “ The Adventures of Nala ”, is also full of portraits and selfies of the 4-legged star.
According to its owner Natasha Ambler , Nala travels to Stevenage station twice a day during peak times. “ She knows what time those who commute will be there ,” explains her mistress. She mainly visits the station and the nearby leisure park .”
“She breaks down barriers”
The owner of the cat can know where she is at all times, since she has equipped her with a GPS tracker . Nala also wears a necklace that displays her name and family details. The latter, however, received countless calls from people who thought she was lost. So she had to add a label specifying that this was not the case.
“ She’s obviously very loved and she’s very happy doing what she does ,” continues Natasha Ambler . I just hope she doesn’t try to get on a train one day. »
As for the Great Northern staff , the attachment felt towards this cat is just as great. “ She breaks down barriers by making people smile and encouraging happy conversations between staff and customers ,” says station manager Shaun Smith . It helps our team and station users feel part of the local community, which is rewarding for everyone. »
