Mittens the cat rests on her favourite stump at Vancouver’s English Bay beach on August 27, 2025. CTV
At Vancouver’s busy English Bay beach, visitors often gather around a large tree stump. Sitting atop it is Mittens, a fluffy white cat wearing a bright yellow hat.
“Mittens is deaf,” said her owner, Mark Nemethy. “Maybe that’s why she doesn’t get scared.”
Unlike many cats, Mittens seems unfazed by attention. People often reach out to pet her, and she simply sits and enjoys the company.
Daily Beach Routine
Mittens has become a summer celebrity. Each evening, Nemethy brings her to the sand near the Cactus Club Cafe. She walks confidently to her favourite perch, climbing with ease thanks to her polydactyl paws.
Her arrival often makes headlines on the West End’s neighbourhood Facebook group. “Mittens is heading down to the beach NOW,” one post read, earning dozens of comments.
Humble Beginnings
Mittens was once a stray. Nemethy, a 61-year-old carpenter, adopted her from a friend who found her in a dumpster in Kitsilano during COVID.
“She’s very friendly,” Nemethy said. “Unlike my other cat, Miranda, she loves attention and going outside. If you put a hat on Miranda, she’d rip it apart.”
Meeting Fans Everywhere
Mittens has charmed crowds at local events, including the Celebration of Light fireworks and outside BC Place during a major concert. “She just loves it,” Nemethy said. “She loves big crowds.”
People often share how Mittens brightens their day. At a McDonald’s, Nemethy recalled a woman crying outside who came in just to sit with Mittens. “She thanked me very much and left. I didn’t ask what her situation was,” he said.
At the beach, similar moments happen daily. Visitors tell Nemethy they feel better after petting Mittens. “She could bring world peace, I think, this cat,” he joked.
Looking Ahead
Nemethy is now building an Instagram following for Mittens. He hopes to share her joy even more widely. “This cat would be really good for a children’s hospital or something,” he said. “Maybe that’ll be one of her adventures.”
For now, beachgoers can continue to enjoy Mittens in her yellow hat, basking in the sun and spreading smiles along English Bay.
