Free Grumpy Cat! Stop PTSD from SXSW.

[TexasTowelie]

If you spend any time on the Internet, you probably know about Grumpy Cat, a feline who appears to be a permanent state of disapproval. The cat’s real name is Tardar Sauce, and apparently she’s not actually all that grumpy.

Although, I bet she is right now. The cat has been brought to the South By Southwest Interactive conference in Austin by the website Mashable. She’s been set up as an exhibit in a tent, where attendees are lining up to take pictures with her.

Anyone who has a cat knows that his is a seriously stressful situation – bright lights, noise, strangers, being picked up and held. As a result, there’s a movement on social media to shut this down, and even a Twitter hashtag: #freegrumpycat.

I concur. Hey Mashable, do the right thing and leave Grumpy Cat alone!

More including pictures at http://blog.chron.com/techblog/2013/03/grumpy-cat-at-sxsw-when-memes-go-horribly-wrong/ .

[font color=green]There is another Twitter hashtag at #leavegrumpycatalone . [/font]

[MotherPetrie]

1. K&R and ITA. It's absolutely horrifying the way that poor cat is being treated.

I'm guessing none of those people "in charge" of her have ever seen a cat suddenly totally freak the fuck out from too much handling and disappear far over the horizon (or as close as they can get to it if they're in an enclosed space). But not before using its claws as effectively as possible to free itself from whoever is holding it at the moment.

Photographing her for a catfood commercial is one thing. Making her pose with idiotic strangers is flat out cruelty to animals.

ETA: When I first learned the cat's name was "Tard" (supposedly short for "Tardar Sauce" - yeah, right), this cat lover's opinion of the cat's owner never recovered, anyway.

[ZRT2209]

2. Read the blog post from Austin360

Someone on scene describes different conditions....one hour a day max with limited holding. I agree it is distressing to have her there at all but the blog post says it's not all-day interaction.

[They_Live]

3. I'd be okay with doing away with SXSW completely.

it gives me PTSD.

[freshwest]

4. The situation is getting attention:

People of South by Southwest — Please, Free Grumpy Cat

http://allthingsd.com/20130309/people-of-south-by-southwest-please-free-grumpy-cat/



It's all a bit surreal.

[TexasTowelie]

5. !

[LeftInTX]

6. Grumpy cat has huge eyes! Kinda looks like a popular 60's painting:

Different breed, but similar face

[TexasTowelie]

7. How cute!

My feline is napping on the bed now.

I need to skitch her over since I just washed and dried the bed linens.