Early on, it became clear that Bitsy’s small size was likely due to some health problem. She wobbled a little, and she had a very “catwalk” gait, crossing her front paws when she walked. She didn’t walk much, though, because she preferred to run. Sometimes she’d fall over, but she’d just get up and keep going. She never let her physical limitations bother her. When she was taken outside, always under supervision, she would bound through the grass like a rabbit, leaping well over a foot high.

All her life, she regularly visited Brentwood Animal Hospital. Blood tests showed that she had elevated liver enzymes. Dr. Todd Burnett believed that perhaps she had suffered from a virus while still in the mother’s womb or perhaps she just had some abnormal genes. He couldn’t find anything to treat.

Bitsy with a ruler for scale.

Bitsy with a ruler for scale.

When Bitsy was about six months old, Zenova’s daughter Auriette started looking up information about the World’s Smallest Cat. The articles she found gave dimensions for a cat that was longer, taller, and heavier than Bitsy, so she went to the Guinness Book of Records website to find out the process for submitting a record claim. They wouldn’t consider a claim for smallest animal until the pet reached maturity, so she made plans to fill out the paperwork when Bitsy had her first birthday.

As Bitsy got older, she developed regular urinary tract infections and subsequent tests uncovered that she was prone to developing crystals. She always recovered with antibiotics, but each illness left her a little weaker and a little more wobbly than she was before. She tried to clean herself, but because of her increasing unsteadiness, she wasn’t able to do a good job. Baths were part of her routine. She didn’t mind soaking in the warm water, but she hated for anyone to rub her feet.

In April, 2009, Auriette mailed in the paperwork to start a Guinness claim. It took several weeks, but in May, she received the go-ahead from Guinness to document an official measuring of Bitsy. The information that they sent on the current record holder showed a dwarf cat named Itse Bitse, with extremely short legs and a short tail. Unsure if Bitsy had a chance at a record, but still anxious to show off the very special cat, Auriette continued her plans to submit the Record claim.

She contacted a former co-worker, Kathryn Daniel at WEAR ABC 3 in Pensacola, who wanted to do a story on Bitsy’s record attempt, and on May 18, Dr. Burnett performed the measurements under the watchful eye of a news team. Bitsy was 18.75 inches long from nose to tail, she measured 6.5” high, and weighed 1.5 pounds. She also showed her spunk for the camera by taking a swipe at Shadow, a 20-pound cat belonging to one of the vet techs.

The story aired on the local news the next day and copies were distributed to CNN and to other ABC and Sinclair Broadcasting Group affiliates. Within hours, video and news stories about Bitsy were popping up all over the internet. People were fascinated by this tiny cat. We heard from a woman in New Jersey with her own tiny cat, younger than Bitsy but exhibiting some of the same “symptoms.” Some people who posted comments about Bitsy were not kind, saying that she was being exploited, but the people who know Zenova and Bitsy know that the little cat received the best of care.

WKRG-TV, the CBS affiliate in Mobile, sent reporter Tiffany Craig to do a story. Zenova brought her to Auriette’s house for the taping, and after the drive over, attempts to spot clean her face and feet with a washcloth, intense scrutiny under the camera, and a chase of Auriette’s cat Wicket through the house, Bitsy had had enough. She bit Zenova on the finger and drew blood, so while Tiffany was making a phone call, Bitsy was placed in her carrier to rest. When Tiffany asked if she could hold Bitsy for her stand-up, she was warned that Bitsy was tired and cranky and she might bite. Sure enough, Bitsy nipped her finger, and it was caught on tape. A few minutes later, as Tiffany drove away, she told all her followers on the social media website Twitter.

That week, a reporter from a London news agency also called and interviewed Auriette, Bitsy’s “official spokesperson.” A search on Google for “Bitsy Smallest Cat” brought up thousands of hits.

It took a couple of weeks to collect the witness statements by Dr. Todd Burnett and Kathryn Daniel, but soon the statements, more forms, video and photos were on their way to the Guinness offices in London. The information sent by Guinness said it could take up to two months to receive a response.

During the wait, Bitsy developed an ear infection. She had another UTI. She continued to grow weaker. Zenova planned to put her to sleep one weekend, only to have her bounce back and get lively again. By June, Bitsy was having trouble climbing onto the bed, even with the aid of steps. She struggled to get into the litter box and Zenova cut down the side of one to make it easier. Her liver enzymes rose, and two veterinarians suggested milk thistle drops. Zenova administered them, to Bitsy’s disgust, but they didn’t seem to help. Dr. Burnett recommended special food because of the urinary crystals, but Bitsy wouldn’t eat much of it. She had trouble eating the finely chopped diet food, and she didn’t seem to like the taste. She was starting to slide downhill, but she still ate her other food well, she enjoyed sitting in Zenova’s lap. She seemed happy.

On July 17, 2009, Michael Whitty, a photographer for the Guinness Book of Records called Auriette from London. They were checking on the status of the current record holder, but it appeared that Bitsy was currently the shortest living domestic cat. They were coming to the U.S. for a photo shoot, and they wanted to take pictures of Bitsy for the book coming out in September, 2010.  It looked like she was going to make the Record Book, as long as she could stay healthy until then. Arrangements were made to meet Michael in Atlanta on August 8. Michael said to keep it all under wraps, because they wanted to make a big splash with Bitsy when the book came out.

Unfortunately, Bitsy’s little body just couldn’t make it any longer. Between July 17th and 31st, she grew weaker. The tiny cat who once ran everywhere could barely take one step without falling. On August 1, 2009, Zenova made the difficult decision to let Bitsy go, to a better place where she could run and jump freely forever.

WEAR-TV, Pensacola's ABC affiliate, produced a story about Bitsy and her bid for the World's Record.You can see some of the video, left. As of 5/21/09, the video is available for viewing at WEARTV.com.

WKRG-TV, CBS affiliate for Mobile-Pensacola, also produced a story, which as of 5/21/09 is available on WKRG.com.

The story was picked up and aired on other local affiliate stations, as well as on CNN and Fox News.