Mr. No Ears is a pure white cat with one eye and no ears, born five years ago on the cliffs of Old Town Albufeira, overlooking Praia do Peneco.
Since his birth, he and the other cats in his colony have been looked after by the Amigos dos Gatos do Algarve association, which feeds them and keeps their health in check.
The colony has a designated carer and all the cats that comprise it are neutered, meaning it fulfils the necessary legal requisites for being – and is – officially registered by the municipal vet.
In time Mr. No Ears became something of a local celebrity thanks to his unusual features, having lost an eye to cat flu and having had both ears removed due to solar dermatitis, a type of sunburn that pure white cats are particularly susceptible to.
Despite his odd looks the cat has amassed an army of adoring followers.
A Facebook page set up in his name to raise awareness and educate people about his condition as well as promoting public understanding of feral and street cats has garnered over 21,000 followers in 45 different countries, many of whom make a point of visiting the animal when in the Algarve.
So famous, in fact, has the cat become that a petition has been drawn up and signed by more than 2,000 people to have a plaque dedicated to him put up in Albufeira.
But ten days ago Mr. No Ears was removed from his colony in the dead of night and, allegedly, taken to a new location in the north of the country.
This has incensed those who knew and cared for him, who argue he was well looked after and happy among his cliff-top family.
“Everybody is devastated and absolutely astonished that anyone would take a street cat that was being looked after when there are so many stray cats in every other city and town in the country” said a spokesperson for the association Amigos dos Gatos do Algarve (AGA), which set up the Mr. No Ears Facebook page and oversee the care of his colony.
Since then thousands of concerned observers have posted calls on social media for the cat to be returned.
A Mr. No Ears Facebook follower from across the Atlantic said: “Many of us here in the US are heartbroken and want to see this baby returned”, while another added: “Get Mr. No Ears back where he belongs and is happy. He wants to be in his home with his true family.”
AGA has appealed for the animal’s return and said everything is being done “to resolve the matter peacefully and in the interests of Mr No Ears.”
While reluctant to disclose further details about the situation, the AGA spokesperson confirmed legal action will be taken and charges made.
Founded in 2000 by a British ex-pat, the donation-funded AGA aims to “relieve the suffering of feral and stray cats in the Algarve, Portugal, through effective neutering and feeding programmes and to educate the public in the care and welfare of cats.”