Jinx The Cat: From Abandoned Kitten To Mayor Of Hell, Michigan

Growing up in California, surrounded by cats and dogs, shaped my love for animals. I have always been an animal person, and my experiences working at a doggy daycare were both rewarding and overwhelming. At just 5' 2", walking into the daycare felt like entering a whirlwind of energy as 30 excited dogs would jump on me! This love for animals led me to adopt two cats, but it was one particular cat, Jinx, who would change my life in unexpected ways.

Jinx came into my life on October 18, 2018, just a few days before my 16th birthday. Ironically, I wasn’t even supposed to be home that day; I had gone to a friend's football game but was feeling bored. My mom picked me up, and as soon as we entered the house, I was greeted by a loud meowing. Little did I know, this would be the start of an incredible journey.

After hearing the meowing, we ventured out to our backyard, where I shone a flashlight into the dark, rain-soaked field behind our house. There, among the shadows, was a tiny black smudge—Jinx! She was just a few weeks old and had been abandoned. It was clear to me that she was wild, especially with the stray cats often lurking around our neighborhood.

We named her Jinx because of all the strange events leading up to our meeting. It was mid-October, close to Halloween, and only two days before my birthday. The vet later told us that she was "special" and had some birth defects, including an underbite, big eyes, and large feet, but she was otherwise healthy. Jinx is quirky and a total sweetheart! I believe she experiences separation anxiety, always wanting to be by my side. She is a bit clumsy, and we enjoy playing together, even if it means she tumbles over sometimes.

Jinx is a curious and unique cat, with specific preferences for play. I respect her boundaries and avoid forcing her into situations she doesn’t enjoy. Initially, I took many pictures of her, prompting a friend to suggest creating an Instagram account to document her growth from a kitten to an adult. I soon discovered that every post about Jinx resonated with people, gaining immense popularity on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where she now boasts hundreds of thousands of followers!

On April 9, I learned about an opportunity to buy a square foot of land in Scotland, which made Jinx a lady. Shortly after, I tweeted about the possibility of her becoming a mayor. A helpful response led me to the town of Hell, Michigan, where you could indeed pay to have your cat become mayor. It cost $100 for Jinx to hold the title for a day, and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary!