Eye, eye captain! 'Pirate cat' who spent months in a shelter takes the Internet by storm after finally finding a new home

  • Wesley the 'pirate' cat spent months unwanted in an Iowa animal shelter
  • But now, he has new home in Fairfield - and has even found fame online
  • One-eyed kitten has more than 5,000 followers on his Instagram account
  • Owner Rheanne Taylor says he pulls amusing expressions 'like a pirate'
  • The kitten, who is only 19 months' old, was likely born with his condition

By Sophie Jane Evans for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

With only one eye, Wesley the kitten spent months in an animal shelter, unwanted.

But now, he has a loving new home in Iowa - and has even gained Internet stardom.

The one-year-old kitten, dubbed 'pirate cat' because of his pirate-like facial expressions, boasts thousands of fans after his owner, Rheanne Charise Taylor, set up an Instagram account for him.

Ms Taylor, the associate editor of iPhone Life Magazine, shares adorable snaps of the feline on a daily basis, showing off his 'unique' look and amusing expressions to more than 5,000 followers.

Internet star: Wesley the one-year-old kitten (pictured, left, today and, right, at a younger age) boasts thousands of online fans after his owner, Rheanne Charise Taylor, set up an Instagram account for him

Adored: Ms Taylor (pictured with Wesley), the associate editor of iPhone Life Magazine, shares cute snaps of the feline on a daily basis, showing off his unique look and amusing expressions to more than 5,000 followers

Adored: Ms Taylor (pictured with Wesley), the associate editor of iPhone Life Magazine, shares cute snaps of the feline on a daily basis, showing off his unique look and amusing expressions to more than 5,000 followers

'I decided to make an Instagram account for Wesley because I love his unique look, and thought that others might feel the same,' said the owner, who lives with Wesley in Fairfield. 'I was shocked at the amount of followers Wesley's account gained within just 15 weeks - he has far more than I do.

'I love the way that he is touching people's hearts.'

Ms Taylor first saw Wesley at Noah's Ark Animal Foundation, a local animal shelter, last fall.

However, she could not take him home due to personal circumstances.

'Wesley was just five weeks old when I first saw him,' said Ms Taylor.

"The fact that he had one eye and a funny little face just made me love him even more. 

'Unfortunately, I wasn't in a position to take him home with me.

Wesley (pictured) is dubbed 'pirate cat' because of his pirate-like facial expressions
Ms Taylor first saw the kitten at Noah's Ark Animal Foundation, a local animal shelter, last fall

Eye, eye captain: Wesley (pictured left and right) is dubbed 'pirate cat' because of his pirate-like facial expressions. Ms Taylor first saw him at Noah's Ark Animal Foundation, an Iowa animal shelter, last fall

Sleepy? Although Ms Taylor initially could not take the cat home due to personal circumstances, she finally adopted him after returning to the Fairfield-based shelter six months later and discovering him still there

Sleepy? Although Ms Taylor initially could not take the cat home due to personal circumstances, she finally adopted him after returning to the Fairfield-based shelter six months later and discovering him still there

'But I was sure that he would find a forever home in no time.'

In March, six months after meeting Wesley, Ms Taylor returned to the shelter.

'I returned to the shelter to make sure that he'd gone to a loving home,' she said.

"I ran through the door and asked straight away about the "pirate kitty" and the staff immediately knew who I was talking about. To my utter shock, Wesley was still looking for a home.'

Two days later, Ms Taylor took Wesley home.

She named the dark-haired kitten, who is now 19 months' old, after the 'Dread Pirate Westley', a character in William Goldman's 1973 novel The Princess Bride and the 1987 film of the same name.

Ms Taylor was told by staff at the shelter that Wesley was most likely born with his condition
The devoted owner hopes the kitten can encourage people to embrace their flaws

Playing at home: Ms Taylor was told by staff at the shelter that Wesley was most likely born with his condition

'I get mixed reactions from people when they first meet Wesley, because of his looks,' said Ms Taylor. 'But it's never long before they fall in love with him too. 

'He is such a character and so full of happiness."

The devoted owner, who was told by staff members at the animal shelter that Wesley was most likely born with his condition, hopes the kitten can encourage people to embrace their flaws.

'If Wesley has taught me anything, it's that our flaws are truly what make us so beautiful,' she said.

'People love Wesley exactly because he's different.

'They're always telling me how wonderful and perfect he is in every way. 

'Which is interesting, since we tend to view our own differences in such a critical light.'

 

Most watched News videos