Midlothian Residents Rally to Save Beloved Co-op Cat Banned from Store

Midlothian: Almost 2,000 people have signed a petition to let Mo, the Co-op cat, back in the store. She was banned after a customer complained.

Mo is a tabby cat who’s become a local favorite at the Newtongrange Co-op. She often hangs out at the entrance, strolls the aisles, and even relaxes behind the checkout.

But one complaint about her presence led to her being barred. The Co-op said it was a food safety issue. So, a petition called “Let Mo, the Co-op cat, roam free” popped up on Change.org.

In just 24 hours, it got over 600 signatures, and now it’s over 1,900! The petition highlights how Mo brings joy to shoppers. It says, “Have you ever walked into your local Co-op and been greeted by a purring ball of joy?”

The person who started the petition says Mo has been part of the community for years. She visits the Co-op often and says, “You always see the cat when you go in.”

Mo doesn’t bother anyone, and people love her. The local added, “There’s so much bad in the world, we need a bit of joy.”

The petition’s popularity surprised her, especially when donations started rolling in for Lothian Cat Rescue.

Supporters on the petition page shared how much Mo brightens their day. Some even compared her to Greyfriar’s Bobby, the famous dog from Edinburgh.

One person wrote, “Mo has become part of the Newtongrange community and is a great boost to customers’ wellbeing.” Another said, “We’ve got your back, Mo!”

A Co-op spokesperson mentioned that only assistance dogs are allowed in food stores, emphasizing their commitment to food safety.