Matilda The Algonquin Cat Banished From Hotel Lobby By DOH

Matilda, in less luxurious accommodations.

Just months after her first fashion show, the city Department of Health & Mental Hygiene has sent Matilda the Algonquin cat into exile! The department has banished the cat from her lobby lounge, according to the NY Post, and she's now reduced to being on a leash behind the check-in desk, or lounges on a higher floor, away from where food and drinks are being served. A manager also told inspectors that they contained Matilda with an electronic fence.

This is the third Matilda at the hotel (though they've had ten total since 1932), and she just moved in last winter. But the hotel isn't holding Bloomberg at fault, they told the Post that guests were abusing here, saying, “People seem more aggressive toward her, and she’s responding in a way that’s not helpful." Though they did add, "The [Health] department in the past months suggested to us that pets in food-service facilities are no longer commingled."

Come January 1st, Matilda will have to acclimate to a whole new atmosphere, as the hotel will close for a four month long, $15 million renovation. Hopefully the DOH won't stop next summer's cat fashion show from happening. For the record, the Health Department sent us this statement: "According to the New York City Health Code, live animals are not allowed in food service establishments (except for edible fish, shellfish, or crustacean) unless a patron needs a service dog."

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on November 23, 2011 11:52 AM

Comments [rss]

Andrieka

It is a pity that tradition is lost under the weight of political correctness, bureaucracies gone wild and whiny, selfish people. The Algonquin Cat is a a tradition going back to the Round Table at the Algonquin in the 1930's. Hamlet and Matilda are also exclusively Ragdolls by tradition - recognized as the most gentle and laid back of cat breeds. Children have delighted at the the Algonquin Cat's story and even write the Cat... who has a birthday party at the hotel every year.

I find it a far better lesson to hear that a fancy hotel full of actors and writers had the decency to offer a bedraggled stray a permanent home within it's luxurious walls, than to hear it is now forced to bend to political correctness, ridiculous NYC health regulations and idiot people with their endless complaints (take a pill or stay elsewhere, we have hundreds of thousands of hotel rooms here in the city).

To hear that guests are more abusive towards this lovely, exceedingly gentle creature tells me that it is not the Cat but the quality of the guest (low class, selfish and ignorant?) that has played a significant role in this .

Timon_8

"...idiot people with their endless complaints..."

You, obviously, don't have allergies of any severity or you'd exhibit a bit more understanding of the issue.

You might try simply counting your blessings rather than deriding those much less fortunate than you.

NorthWoodsWoman

I have severe cat and dog allergies and yet I have a German Shepard and three cats! I take medication for it, and yes alot of it, but my pets are like family. If I was allergic to one of my family members I wouldn't kick them out!
You can stay somewhere else. And my guess is this cat is a big attraction at this hotel and of course they post about it on the website. While it may not be a disclaimer, any person with half a brain that has cat allergies would put two and two together!
I own a small inn and people are aware of my animals. If they have a problem with them, they go some place else. Just like if someone is looking for a pool in a hotel, they probably won't pick the one that doesn't have one! And if you are a business man on a work trip, you aren't going to stay at one of those kid friendly watermark hotels.
Come on, no one accomadation is going to suit everyone! So find the one that works for you! Variety is the spice of life!

gray2117

I think you may need to find another hotel. The Algonquin Matilda is why I stay there on a regular basis. Get over yourself.

Timon_8

You choose what hotel you stay in based on a cat?? I will never understand cat people.

"Cats are great. It's their owners that are crazy."

Timon_8

There are many other good reasons a cat should not be in hotel lobby. Such as the fact that many people (like most of my family) are highly allergic to them. And you can bet the Algonquin does not publicize that people with cat allergies should stay elsewhere.

How anyone can "abuse" a cat is beyond me. Cats are the ones that do the abusing.

Run - TMC

You, sir, are an ass.

Timon_8

?? - Because I'm concerned about people with cat allergies?

I see the poster below has already addressed the issue... what a service! "Take a pill or stay elsewhere". I'm still willing to bet no one is warned ahead of time. And some cat allergies really are no joke, but of course that's being "whiny" and "selfish".

Mordicai

A far greater sin is that the Algonquin has "Dorthy Parker Mini Burgers" on their bar menu.

Spirit of 76

With each passing week, it looks more and more like the Department of Health should be renamed the Department of Busybodies.

Matilda sure is a cutie.

The Great Arturo Bandini

"People seem more aggressive toward her, and she’s responding in a way that’s not helpful." Though they did add, "
NYC hotel guests are unfortunately not what they used to be.
http://twitter.com/#!/Guestsfr...