Sparky? Fire Cat? Miss Mew? Or simply Cat? Folks in the rural Vancouver Island community of Metchosin can’t seem to agree on a name for the feline that has prowled the municipal grounds for roughly 14 years. But one thing’s certain – whatever his name, and no matter who you ask, he’s a local legend. Rescued when he was a kitten by Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop, Cat – as he is known at the Fire Hall – quickly made himself at home. “He basically took over the town from there,” said Lt. Jacob Lamb. While the Fire Hall is considered Cat’s main territory, the feline has free rein of the municipal grounds – a familiar face at the Municipal Hall, council meetings and community events. “He’s just curious, and he wants to say hi to everybody,” says Lamb. “And everyone loves him. He’s in our local rag (Metchosin Muse) every chance they get. “Everybody knows him – if you live here, you know him.” Lamb, a 10-year member of Metchosin Fire, remembers being casually introduced to Cat when he joined the department – and quickly realizing who was really in charge. “He’s top dog for sure,” he says. “I would say he’s only just below the chief in the hierarchy, because he can only give us a few commands like, ‘open the door’, ‘give me food’ and stuff like that. Chief can give us a few more commands. “He is part of the hall as much as the fire hose is part of a truck.” Over at the Municipal Hall, Sparky – as he is known there – has made himself equally at home. “Sparky is the Fire Hall cat, and he is welcome to come and go as he pleases,” reads a poster on the hall’s front door, complete with a picture of the animal slouched on the floor. “He is very friendly.” Next to the hall’s security alarm keypad, a note urges employees to check the building for the cat before locking up – another sign of just how seamlessly the feline has woven himself into the daily life of the council. “We have to make sure he’s not snuggled up on the chairs in the council chamber,” says deputy finance officer Laura Whitmore-Guzauskas. A municipal employee for 19 years, Whitmore-Guzauskas has worked alongside the four-legged fixture since he first arrived. When asked how she feels about Sparky, she tries to play it cool, but her true feelings are quickly revealed. “I guess I love him,” she says with a laugh. “I mean, if he wasn’t the Fire Hall cat, I would have stolen him years ago.” The deputy finance officer admits she didn’t even realize Sparky was male until a few years ago, calling him Miss Mew because of his unique cry. “It’s not like a full on meow, it’s just this little mew,” she says, offering her best Sparky impression. At the Municipal Hall, Sparky patrols the office like he owns the place, checking on staff, dropping by the planner’s office and visiting the mayor. He’s even known to stray as far as the community newspaper office and the local coffee shop. Some suspect, using his feline charm, he’s managing to rack up four or five meals a day. “As you can see by his chunkiness, he gets his full share of snacks,” says Whitmore-Guzauskas. One of those responsible for slipping Sparky a few too many snacks is chief financial officer Geoffrey Kreek, who joined the team last year. He quickly worked his way into Sparky’s affections by stocking the office with every flavour of Temptations treats imaginable and an assortment of lickable snacks. Now, Kreek’s desk is a regular stop when Sparky makes his rounds, demanding treats, pets and attention, before settling down on his desk to take a well earned break. “Whenever he wanders up, he’ll claw up my pants terribly,” Kreek says, pointing to a few visible marks. “I’ve probably got more photos of him on my phone than anybody else.” Having a resident office cat has its perks, says Kreek. Not only is Sparky a welcome stress relief for him, he also proves a welcome distraction at council meetings. “He certainly helps at contentious council meetings,” he says. “When things are getting a little heated … he’ll just wander around and people get distracted – he’s a great benefit.” Back at the Fire Hall, the four-legged honorary firefighter is better known for causing chaos rather than diffusing it. Lamb remembers a prestigious event held on municipal grounds for International Women’s Day – community members and local dignitaries gathered for a plaque unveiling. “Cat comes flying out of nowhere and takes down this little baby rabbit right in the middle of the ladies’ little afternoon tea – it was a total scene,” he says. His curiosity has also gotten him into trouble far beyond Metchosin’s border. When the Capital Regional District hazmat truck visited for a training exercise, the inquisitive feline hitched a lift back to Central Saanich. “There was no confusion of what cat was in the Central Saanich Fire Hall,” said Lamb. “We quickly got a call telling us to come and get our cat.” Now in his senior years, Cat’s adventures are mostly confined to his home turf. “He’s slowing down now, he’s maturing and mellowing in his old age,” says Lamb. “He definitely has a pretty decent kill record around here for mice and stuff, but in his old age he’s not interested in hunting as much – he’s turned into a bit of a Garfield for sure.” Though Lamb insists he and Cat have more of a sibling-style relationship, there’s no denying the fondness between them both. “I’m not big on all of his manners,” he says. “I don’t like him walking on the table and he doesn’t like that I tell him not to. “But then it doesn’t matter. I’ll still feed him his treats and soft food just like everybody else – you just can’t say no to him.” With Lamb, Kreek, Whitmore-Guzauskas and just about everyone connected to the municipality at his beck and call, it’s easy to see why the legendary moggy has settled into Metchosin – embraced by a community that welcomes him with open arms, and plenty of treats.
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