The Last Cat
Recently, Coal, the last surviving cat of the Parliament Hill cat colony, passed away. Our condolences go out to his family — losing a beloved animal companion is heartbreaking. And, Coal’s passing marks the end of an era.
It all began in 1924 when cats were brought into the Parliament buildings to control a rat infestation. The cats were employed in the Centre Block for years until their services were no longer needed. It is believed they were removed from the Parliament buildings but stayed on the Hill, and as unneutered cats tend to do, they multiplied, forming a colony of about 30 at its peak population.
By the 1970s, local resident Irène Desormeaux had taken notice. She began feeding the cats and, with help, had basic shelters constructed to protect them from Ottawa’s winters. After Irène’s passing in 1987, longtime volunteer René Chartrand took over and fed and cared for the cats for more than 20 years. Over time other volunteers became involved – including at times taking ill or injured cats for veterinary care.
Throughout the years, other cats joined the colony – some appear to have been intentionally abandoned there by owners no longer able to care for them; other stray cats showed up to avail themselves of the food and shelter the colony provided.
The “cats of Parliament Hill” captured the hearts of residents and tourists alike, but their fame came at a steep cost – providing an image that cats could fare just fine outside without a warm home or that they did not need the care and attention of a dedicated owner. Most of these were never truly feral cats – which are rarely seen and fear humans. It took years of work and the collaboration of many volunteers, supported by the OHS and other community veterinarians, to care for, spay/neuter and eventually retire the colony in 2013. It has been more than a decade since the last cats, including Coal, were adopted into loving homes from the Parliament Hill colony.
Coal’s death marks the end of an era in Ottawa but highlights how much has changed in our community’s relationship with cats. More people have become aware of the dangers a cat faces outdoors and the hardships stray and feral cats endure. We better understand what cats need to stay healthy – including regular veterinary care and the love and attention of a dedicated owner.
What hasn’t changed is that helping cats that live outdoors – whether truly feral or abandoned strays – is a complex issue that can’t be solved alone. It’s a community effort, and the OHS is here to help.
If you're involved in supporting a feral colony or have concerns about stray or abandoned cats in your area, let us know. From spay/neuter services to rehoming assistance and feral colony support, we want to provide a better tomorrow to all of Ottawa’s cats.
Together, we can create a more humane and compassionate community for all animals.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO