We have had the pleasure of hosting the very charming Mario as a house guest for two weeks, and he has completely won our hearts. Just like his famous namesake from the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario is a hero ready to bring joy and adventure to his forever home. (He can be adopted even from out of state from Anne Arundel County Animal Control.)

From the moment Mario arrived, he showed himself to be incredibly friendly and eager to meet human visitors and especially other cats. This bright, communicative kitty has boundless young-cat energy and doesn’t like to be alone, making him the perfect companion for a household with other cats or active family members. He really needs friends!

Mario has a few favorite pastimes that keep him entertained for hours. He loves to sit by open windows, watching the world go by as if he’s keeping an eye out for his next big adventure. He enjoys Cat TV on YouTube, Mouse for Cats on iPad, and interactive automated toys, but nothing compares to the joy he gets from playing with humans.

Mario is not very food motivated—he prefers his dry kibble and the occasional can of food over treats—but he does enjoy catnip as a special power-up!

What makes Mario truly special is his intelligence and adaptability. He took to using a litter robot immediately and never had an accident. When a tornado warning alarm went off, he calmly let us carry him to safety without a fuss. Mario is happy to drink from any water source, including bowls and fountains, but be careful with open toilet bowls!

Mario has a charming personality that will make you fall in love with him. He was affectionate from the get-go, but it took about ten days for him to become a real cuddle-bug at night, wanting to sleep and snuggle on our pillows. His cuddle time became so important that he would meow relentlessly at bedtime to usher us into bed, serving as a highly accurate furry alarm clock.

In our home, Mario has been curious and loves to explore, but he also understands boundaries. He occasionally sneaks into tempting places like our pantry, but he respects the rules and prefers to please people. He’s quick to learn and adjust, like when we placed a scratcher next to his favorite sofa arm, and he happily used it instead.

Mario might even be the kind of cat who can be leash trained, though he might need some patience to get used to a collar and harness. His only minor faults are getting underfoot when excited and occasionally trailing a musk scent since he hadn’t been neutered yet. He’s also very chatty and will let you know if something’s on his mind, performing an entire opera if needed.

Mario is a loving, resilient, and playful cat who would thrive in a home where he receives plenty of attention. If you’re looking for a delightful, affectionate, and adventurous feline friend, Mario is the perfect choice.

If you have any questions about Mario that we might be able to answer from our short time with him, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Adopt Mario today and let the adventures begin!