It’s safe to say that the world is obsessed with Baby Yoda, the pint-sized, soon-to-be Jedi master who became the breakout star of The Mandalorian. While official Baby Yoda merchandise has been slow to roll out, due to the studio wanting to keep the adorable creature’s identity a secret, there are plenty of T-shirts, plush toys, and overalls out there to satisfy even the biggest fan. But what if you could adopt a flop-eared kitty that bears a striking resemblance to “The Child” (Baby Yoda’s official name)? Hundreds of people are already reaching out to ask that very question, as a feline doppelgänger in North Carolina has gone viral, simply for looking an awful lot like the little green guy.
The cat, whose actual name is Joy (which seems befitting), was found by a volunteer at the Humane Society of Rowan County on December 15th, and in pretty rough shape. “She had sores on her neck, bad sores all around her neck, an upper respiratory infection, fleas, you name it," Humane Society volunteer Nancy Rominger told BuzzFeed News. Which means that Baby Yoda Cat, err, Joy, isn’t available for adoption quite yet—though the organization has already heard from plenty of interested parties.
"She’s doing much better, but it’s going to be a while yet," Rominger said of Joy’s impending adoption availability.
In the meantime, Joy's being fostered and given the time she needs to heal and get stronger. While the shelter has been overwhelmed with phone calls and emails about Joy, they’re hoping that the one-of-a-kind kitty’s newfound fame can bring attention to the many other cats in need of forever homes. "It’s been a little frustrating in a way, a lot of phone calls, a lot of attention, but if it helps people learn there are cats out there that need help, it’s worth it," Rominger said.
In the meantime, Baby Yoda Cat has her own Facebook page, where updates on her improving health and adoption status will be posted. You can follow along here.