Orange Tabby, Luther Lassen, Rules Washington Wild Bird Store

Luther Lassen

What do you do with a reformed feline bird hunter who has been on the straight and narrow for five years? Put him to work in a bird store, of course!

Susan Wyatt of King5.com reports that Luther Lassen was taken in by Wild Birds Unlimited owner Christie Lassen five years ago, after an unfortunate run in with a Western Tanager. He had previously been adopted from a local shelter by friends, but didn't get along with their other pets and was left to fend for himself outdoors.

Christie says of the dramatic escape: "He put both arms over my shoulder like 'Let's go! He needed a bachelor pad, he needed a place of his own."



The 11-year-old charmer now lives in the Gardiner, Wash. shop that sells bird feeders, seed, and art, and spends his time greeting customers and indulging in afternoon naps. Like any self-respecting feline, he has his own Facebook page, and has amassed a loyal band of followers who drop by the store just to visit him. Lassen tells one particularly touching story of a man losing his eyesight, who would sit and hold Luther while his wife shopped.



Christie also shares that Luther is a spokeskitty for Cats Indoors, an American Bird Conservancy program that encourages people to keep their cats inside.

"Luther was a bird killing machine. He wrecked havoc on his previous owners back yard bird population. So we put him in the Cats Indoor Rehab Program and now he is on the bird wagon, 5 years bird-free!" 



And just how did the ginger cutie get such an uncommon kitty name?

"He shares a birthday with Martin Luther, but we think he's more of a Luther Vandross kind of Luther because he's such a big lover," she says. 

Via King5.com / Images: Christie Lassen