There’s a new kitty cat patrolling the historic grounds of the Alamo, and she’s ready to make visitors feel welcomed and to catch as many mice as she can.
The official cat of the Alamo is named Miss Isabella Francisca Veramendi de Valero. Don’t worry; her nickname is Bella, according to the Associated Press . The Texas General Land Office made the official announcement over social media on Thursday, replacing the former official cat, C.C., which is short for Clara Carmack.
C.C. was euthanized last July after roaming the Alamo grounds for 18 years.
C.C. used to be a beloved icon from the Alamo. She was the subject of many souvenirs for sale from the Alamo gift shop, some of which included postcards and stuffed animals.
As a kitten, Bella was found on the grounds of Presidio La Bahía in Goliad by the daughter of site director Scott McMahon. Bella was then brought to San Antonio for the ceremony commemorating the Battle of the Alamo’s 179th anniversary in early 2015, according to the San Antonio Express-News .
Appropriately, Bella’s full name, Miss Isabella Francisca Veramendi de Valero, draws upon the history of both Presidio La Bahía and the Alamo.
According to the San Antonio Express-News , “Her royal full name pulls from Texas history, including the Goliad Massacre (Francisca, the Angel of Goliad), an early leader of of San Antonio de Bexar (Juan Martín Veramendi) and the original name of the Alamo (which was Mission San Antonio de Valero).”
The calico cat wears a tag around her neck that reads, “I Belong At The Alamo.” Staffers who work at the Alamo pay for Bella’s care and expenses, and the cat sleeps in the Alamo office at night.
[Photos by Texas General Land Office; AP Photo/Eric Gay]
