Beloved Famous Animals Around The World

Beloved Famous Animals Around The World

Animals are simply the best! Their sweetness is a hopeful reminder to slow down and appreciate the little things through their charming, heartwarming, and downright motivating antics. Thanks to our digitally connected world, some animals have experienced a remarkable shot to fame for their adorable ways, offering them 15 minutes of fame, and going on to be national treasures.

From Canada to Japan, many beloved famous animals have turned into symbols of hope, resilience, and of course, charm. Read to discover the stories of beloved famous animals from around the world!

Tama: The Stationmaster Cat of Kishi Station, Japan

In the quaint town of Kishi in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, a certain special feline became the talk of the town.

The Kishi Station noticed a significant drop in passengers taking the train. Things were not looking good when, in 2007, the station’s manager saw a calico cat hanging out at the station every day. He decided to adopt her, fondly dubbing her “Tama,” the stationmaster,” with the hope that her sweet presence would bring in passengers.

Wildly, Tama’s presence did just that! She quickly became a beloved figure, drawing visitors from all over the country — and beyond! Tama was a ham, dressing up in a station master hat, and was even given her own office—complete with a nameplate! People wholeheartedly loved her and she was featured in various media outlets, from newspapers to television shows, and quickly became a local celebrity. Things continued to grow, resulting in Tama-themed merchandise, events, and promotions. She was credited with revitalizing the station, leading to more passenger traffic and revenue.

While Tama sadly passed away in 2015, her legacy lives on. A new cat, Nitama, was appointed as the replacement mascot, and a Tama statue was built at the station to honor the cat who helped a struggling station and brought the community together.

Tuxedo Stan: The Mayor of Halifax

In the city of Halifax, Canada, an unlikely political figure emerged in 2010: Tuxedo Stan. His sweet story from a stray cat to a mayoral candidate captured many hearts and highlighted the interesting ways that animals contribute to the world!

Tuxedo Stan, a black-and-white cutie, shot to political fame when his owner, Derek Chiu, decided to run a humorous yet heartfelt campaign to elect Stan as the “Mayor of Halifax.” The campaign goal was to draw attention to adoption, stray animals, shelter funding, and overall animal welfare. While Derek Chiu used humorous and poignant slogans and messages, the message was serious and resonated with a wide audience, including many local businesses.

Ultimately, Tuxedo Stan didn’t become mayor of Halifax, but his efforts made a lasting impact, drawing attention to animal welfare, advocacy, and community engagement. His legacy carries on through the Tuxedo Stan Foundation, which supports animal welfare initiatives and raises awareness about the needs of stray animals.

Duncan Lou Who: The Two-Legged Dog

Named fondly after Cindy Lou Who from The Grinch, Duncan Lou Who is a dog that was born with his two hind legs fused in an X shape, which was later amputated safely after 3 months to help him walk easier. Just 60 minutes after that surgery, he was able to freely walk on his front legs. 

Duncan went viral in 2014 when his owners posted a video of him playing joyfully at the beach, amassing millions of views and shooting him to fame. His celebrity status and the money that came along with it were donated to animal shelters and initiatives. Duncan Lou Who’s story was deeply motivational to many, inspiring people to better understand differently abled animals and ensure their comfort and safety.

Nala Cat: The Guinness World Record Cat

With over 4.4 million followers on Instagram, Nala Cat is talented at spreading joy.

Nala Cat was adopted by her owner, Varisiri Methachittiphan, in 2011 in California. Her social media presence was initially just for family and friends to enjoy. However, her slightly crossed-eyed large baby blue eyes led her to paw her way into the hearts of many.

She's not only stolen the hearts of strangers but also helped her owner, Varisiri follow her heart — connecting her to her future partner! Varisiri met her wife, Shannon, through Nala Cat’s Instagram! Their in-person meeting sparked a romance, and they’ve now been married for five years and adopted two kids, five cats, and one dog, all of whom shot to internet fame. In 2020, The Guinness World Record declared Nala Cat as the “most popular cat” on Instagram.

Nala the Cat has impressively donated 5,000 meals to Kitten Rescue L.A. and 55,000 meals to Daisy’s Hope Foundation while dedicating her time to reducing overpopulation and ending euthanasia due to resource shortages and overcrowded shelters. She also supports The Pet Education Project, Fear Free Pets, Waggle, and The Paw Project.

Boo: The “World's Cutest Dog”

Entering the world in 2006, Boo, is a teacup Pomeranian who has stolen the hearts of millions thanks to his funky and fresh adorable wardrobe and teddy bear vibes! He changes his outfits daily, rocking fresh looks except on “naked Wednesdays,” when he showcases his natural fur or water-proof dog boots to help his paws! He stands out amongst the crowd due to his distinct course, and thick hair, completely different from other, traditional Pomeranians.

He has over 17 million followers on Facebook, and his fan base isn't slowing down, making him a sensational celebrity! He's an adorable cutie with undeniable joy and lovability. His fan base can take him home and enjoy a plush version of their favorite Pomeranian, too. He also releases an annual calendar with heartwarming photos.

Koko: The ASL Gorilla

While many pet owners dream of talking and communicating with their animals, Koko the gorilla made it possible! She is the world's most famous gorilla due to her ability to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL).

Penny Patterson met Koko — then a sickly baby living at the San Francisco Zoo — as a student. Penny signed on to care for Koko, teaching her ASL as the focus of her PhD dissertation in developmental psychology at Stanford University. Thus began Project Koko, where Penny taught the gorilla the correct gestures for food, drink, and beyond. After 40 years, Koko’s vocabulary extended to more than 1,000 words!

Koko stole the hearts of many, due to her sweet demeanor and connection to other animals, including her love for kittens. Koko enjoyed fame and even mingled with fellow celebrities such as William Shatner, Sting, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robin Williams, and Mr. Rogers! She became a symbol of talent and love.

Gidget: The Taco Bell Dog

Gidget Chipperton — aka the Taco Bell Chihuahua — was a fabulous canine actress best known for starring in a Taco Bell advertising campaign from 1997-2000! Gidget stole the hearts of many, gracing the screens in countless ads, with her famous catchphrase "Yo quiero Taco Bell!" ("I want Taco Bell!"

Gidget shot to fame, so much so that figurines of the pup were made and sold by the company. She became an instrumental part of popular culture before the campaign came to an end.

Belka and Strelka: The dogs that went to space

Belka and Strelka, two stray dogs, were determined as the ideal dogs to send to space for the race to space by the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Both were the perfect size, color, and height for the mission! Before becoming dog-straunts, they underwent rigorous medical tests and trained for what was to come, including wearing space suits and how to deal with G force spikes.

The two pups traveled to space on August 9, 1960, where they managed to do 17 loops successfully, spending approximately 27 hours in orbit before carefully being sent back to Earth where they were smothered in cuddles and love. The dogs’ condition was stable and supported science significantly.

Belka and Strelka only had one space adventure before being honorably discharged into early retirement. They were beloved by the entire country and community, who celebrated their successful trip with banners, posters, marquees, postcards, and calendars.

Paul the Octopus: The World Cup Predictor

An oracle or an octopus?! Paul’s both!

Born in Weymouth, England in 2008 at the Sea Life Centre, the octopus shot to fame during the 2010 FIFA World Cup due to his unbelievable skill at predicting the outcome of the soccer games!

He was moved to an aquarium in western Germany, where he would be presented with two boxes of food with corresponding flags representing the two countries hitting the pitch that day. Amazingly, he would predict the winner for many matches — including the final game. Statistically, Paul had a 1/256 chance of correctly determining the outcome of the matches, and in the end, he was 8-0 in his predictions.

Naturally, he amassed a huge following of soccer fans and beyond. People visited Paul and he became a social media star, and Parry Gripp wrote an entire song for him! The aquarium workers unearthed another skill of his, unscrewing lids off jars, demonstrating his diverse prowess. While he passed away in late 2010, his legacy and admiration lives on!

Dindim: The loyal and loving Penguin!

In 2011, 71-year-old Joao Pereira de Souza discovered a sickly penguin completely covered in oil, starving on an island beach on the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Acting quickly, de Souza took him home to nurse him back to health, removing the oil from his soaked feathers and feeding him fresh food.

They formed an incredibly tight bond during this healing time, resulting in de Souza affectionately naming the penguin Dindim. Once the penguin was fit to get back to nature, de Sousza set him free. However, while most penguins join together to flock south, Dindim prefers to stay close to his friend, making de Souza’s home his home the majority of the time! He returns every year.

While the penguin is absolutely not a pet, he continues to return where he sleeps outside and spends time on the connected beach. The penguin has become a fixture in the community and many look forward to seeing him return year after year.

Mr Goxx: The very unlikely crypto trader

What do a hamster wheel and crypto-currency trading have in common? Surprisingly, a lot!

Mr. Goxx, a hamster, took the world by storm in 2021 by trading cryptocurrencies — and doing extremely well. His owner set up a cage to represent a buy and a sell option and each time he ran through the corresponding tunnel, a trade followed. The office is fully automated, using a wide range of technology including software scripting, microcontrollers, single-board computers, computer-aided design, 3D printing, laser-cutting, and more.

The owners, two young men in Germany, started this financial phenomenon as a bit of a joke, but it quickly escalated. Now, the hamster's portfolio is thriving, with some of his trades performing better than Bitcoin, Nasdaq 100, and more.

He has amassed many followers, and while his financial advice is not to be followed, it's a great tale!