Beloved Viral Sensation 'Lil Bub' The Cat Has Died

'One of nature's happiest accidents' - the internet is in mourning after the announcement of famous cat Lil Bub's passing.

Lil Bub
© Facebook
Lil Bub

Lil Bub is a very unique kitten. With her bulging green eyes and tiny form, she's quite striking. On first glance, you'd probably think she was a kitten but she's actually seven years old now. Her extreme form of dwarfism means she'll never grow any bigger.

Discover our latest podcast

Lil Bub was found in 2011 when she was only a few weeks old - the runt of a litter of feral cats. It was clear that she would need special care so she was taken in by a rescue centre.

Lil Bub's special needs

As well as her dwarfism, Lil Bub's limbs are disproportionately small in relation to her body. Her lower jaw is also shorter than her upper jaw and her teeth never grew in so her tongue hangs out.

She's also a polydactyl cat - which means she has an extra toe on each paw - adding up to a total of 22 toes!

At one year old, Lil Bub was also the first cat ever to be diagnosed with osteopetrosis - an extremely rare bone condition which causes her bones to grow progressively denser, making it harder and harder for her to move around. By the time she was one-and-a-half, she was practically unable to move at all. The condition is very hard to treat but Lil Bub has benefitted from Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy which has enabled her to run and jump again.

Lil Bub's personality

Lil Bub is an amazingly calm cat who loves to travel and explore the world around her. She is very well-behaved and will sit on her owner's lap in cars, planes and underground trains. She even loves to sit on her owner's shoulder when they go outside.

Internet fame

Lil Bub has become pretty well-known on the Internet and she's used her fame for good - advocating for homeless pets and pets with special needs worldwide. She's so far raised over 200,000 dollars for various animal charities through special meet-and-greets and selling merchandise such as cuddly toys, jewellery and even her very own book on her online store.

Her Tragic Passing

On December 2nd, 2019, Lil Bub's owner Mike Bridavsky announced that Lil Bub - who had raised over £500,000 for animal charities over the course of her life - died just one day prior at the age of 8. Bridavsky shared in an Instagram post to Lil Bub's 2.4 million followers that Lil Bub passed away peacefully in her sleep.

View this post on Instagram

This is my first photo with BUB next our last photo together. On the morning of Sunday, December 1st 2019 we lost the purest, kindest and most magical living force on our planet. BUB was cheerful and full of love laying in our bed with us Saturday night, but unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her sleep.. I have always been fully transparent about BUB's health, and it was no secret that she was battling a persistent and aggressive bone infection. Even knowing this, we weren't expecting her to pass so soon or so abruptly without warning. I truly believe that she willingly made the decision to leave her failing body so that our family would not have to make that difficult decision ourselves. It is impossible to put into words the profound effect that BUB has had on my life, on the lives of thousands of homeless pets, and on the lives of those of you that have cared for her as if she were your own family. She taught me everything that I know about unconditional love, she brought my wife Stacy and I together, she's the reason we have our beautiful children Rosco and Lula, and she has been a constant source of warmth and love in our lives for the past 8 years. To say that our family is devastated would be an understatement. But most importantly, BUB has made a huge difference in the world of animal welfare, and in the lives of millions of people worldwide. She has literally saved thousands of lives (both pets and humans), she started the first national fund for special needs pets, she was the subject of groundbreaking genetic and biological research, she's helped raise over $700,000 for animals in need, and has spread a message of determination, positivity, and perseverance to people all over the world. And even though my heart is absolutely crushed by her graceful departure from planet Earth, I know that her sprit, magic, and overwhelming energy are still with us, reminding us every day to be better. Dearest BUB, I will never forget your generosity, your limitless supply of love, or your uncanny ability to bring so much magic and joy to the world. I am forever honored and humbled that you chose me as your caretaker. Please visit all of us in our dreams o

A post shared by Lil BUB (@iamlilbub) on

RIP Lil Bub.

One Of The World's Greatest Memes, Grumpy Cat Has Died One Of The World's Greatest Memes, Grumpy Cat Has Died