Beloved ‘manager cat’ at Seventh Son Brewery diagnosed with cancer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The cat mascot of an Italian Village brewery has been diagnosed with cancer, and its owners are asking for help.
Seventh Son Brewery is known for a variety of beers such as Kitty Paw, Humulus Nimbus and more. But most of all, regular visitors may identify the brewery for its cat mascot Horatio, Seventh Son’s “assistant manager cat” which even has a brew named after him.
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In a social media post on Wednesday, the brewery announced that Horatio had been diagnosed with cancer.
“We know that many of you may have heard that our favorite employee Assistant Manager Cat (aka Horatio) has cancer in his right hind leg,” the owners wrote. “Fibrosarcoma is more common than we realize in cats. We hope to use this moment to highlight feline cancer treatment and help other pets and their parents in a similar situation.”
Horatio, the “Assistant Manager Cat” at Seventh Son Brewery, has been diagnosed with cancer. (Courtesy Photo/Joseph Krygier) Horatio, the “Assistant Manager Cat” at Seventh Son Brewery, has been diagnosed with cancer. (Courtesy Photo/Joseph Krygier) Horatio, the “Assistant Manager Cat” at Seventh Son Brewery, has been diagnosed with cancer. (Courtesy Photo/Joseph Krygier) Horatio, the “Assistant Manager Cat” at Seventh Son Brewery, has been diagnosed with cancer. (NBC4 Photo/Aaron Burd)
Seventh Son co-founder Collin Castore told NBC4 that Horatio has been a neighborhood cat since the brewery’s earliest days. The local community and Seventh Son employees have come to embrace the beloved feline, according to Castore.
“He’s been our all-natural pest control, friend and mascot almost from the time that we opened up,” Castore said. “He just kind of wandered into the neighborhood and we fell in love with him. He’s a really great guy. All our guests love him, our staff loves him.”
Castore said that the brewery didn’t open with plans of having a cat mascot, but that Horatio made his presence felt by the community and that it was a natural progression.
“He was so kind and sweet, hanging out with everyone while they’re on the patio, drinking beers and everything,” Castore said. “He just kind of evolved into this mascot for us. We didn’t set out to be a brewery with a cat mascot. But somehow, here we are.”
Horatio was diagnosed with Fibrosarcoma after employees at the brewery noticed a small lump on his right leg, according to Castore. They then took the neighborhood cat to the vet, where he was diagnosed.
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Now, Seventh Son is asking for the community to help Horatio, as well as other animals in need. A GoFundMe has been posted for the cat’s cancer treatment, with 50% of proceeds going to the Assistant Manager Cat himself, and the other 50% being split between UC Davis’ Feline Cancer Research Fund and Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund.
Additionally, Seventh Son is selling a $15 commemorative glass with a Horatio print on its website. Proceeds from those sales will be split in the same way as the GoFundMe. Once Seventh Son’s goal has been reached, however, all remaining proceeds will go to the research and rainy day funds.
To contribute to the GoFundMe, follow this link.
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