I think that any animal lover will agree that animals are sometimes capable of the most extraordinary things.
Animals have been known to take on the role of hero, like this cat who saved a small child, and the role of caretaker, like the dog who adopted a baby chimpanzee. But until I saw this adorable cat, I had never heard of an animal taking on the role of stationmaster!
This past week, more than 3,000 people attended the funeral for Japan's most famous cat, Tama. Tama had been appointed as honorary stationmaster at the unmanned train station in Kinokawa, Japan in 2007. She quickly became one of the nation's largest celebrities. Her death, at the ripe old age of 16, brought thousands of people together to celebrate and remember her.
Tama's story of how she saved a Japanese train line, and the number of lives she was able to touch, are truly incredible and inspiring.
Please SHARE if you love amazing cats like Tama.
h/t: The Guardian/Japan Times/CNN
For many years, the Kishigawa train line struggled financially. With very few travelers, the line was shut down in 2004. But in 2007, a calico cat came along and saved the day.
In an effort to revitalize the train line, the Wakayama Electric Railway decided to appoint Tama the cat as stationmaster of the Kishi Station. Very quickly, Tama began to draw in big crowds.
Tama was owned by a local shopkeeper and in her new position, she was given a stationmaster hat and badge, as well as her own "office" at the front of the station.
Not only did Tama's presence bring visitors from miles around wanting to see her, but it saved the rail line and boosted the local economy.
The Guardian reported that in her first year as stationmaster, there was an increase of 10% of passengers on the rail line. And even more impressively, the local economy received a boost of nearly $9 million!
In her official capacity, Tama was able to meet world leaders and leave a lasting impression on government officials in Japan. Governor Yoshinobu Nisaka said in a statement that Tama was a "tourism superstar extremely popular in and out of Japan who contributed greatly to promoting tourism."
Tama's likeness is well known throughout Japan, as her face has been used to sell merchandise and even inspired a Tama cafe in Kishi Station.
Tama's passing at the age of 16 (80 in human years) brought 3,000 people to her funeral and garnered national attention. Governor Nisaka wrote, "I am filled with deep sorrow and appreciation."
Tama died quietly at home with her owner. The day before she passed, she was visited by the rail company's president. A spokeswoman told The Guardian, "When we visited her with the company president… she stood up and meowed as if she was begging him to hold her."
At her funeral, Tama was given the title of honorable eternal stationmaster and earned the status of Shinto goddess according to Japan's religious practices. Tama's devotion to her job touched the lives of many, and Japan's most famous cat truly will be m
Please SHARE if you love amazing cats like Tama.
