Shopping can be a stressful experience – overpacked malls, music blasting from every speaker and lack of proper air conditioning doesn’t sound like much fun. If only there was something – or someone to make it all better. Well, if you ever find yourself in Santafé Mall in Medellín, Colombia, you’re guaranteed a great time because Cristal, an adorable black-and-white cat, will be there to ask you for pets.

More info: Instagram

Meet Cristal, a former street cat who is now living her best life as the queen of the mall

Image credits: patasparribaoficial

Image credits: patasparribasofficial

Cristal didn’t have the best start in life – she was a street cat who got rescued in 2018, after she had her babies. Thanks to the efforts of shelter staff, every one of her kittens found a loving home and mama cat was able to start dreaming about her very own home where she could roam around like the queen she is.

Perhaps it was her shiny coat or mesmerizing green eyes, but Cristal charmed the owners of the pet supply shop Patas Parriba and they rushed to the shelter to adopt her. The shop was located inside the mall and Cristal was allowed to explore her new home – how many cats can brag about such an expansive territory to rule over?

Her new owners set up her litter box and food bowls inside their store so their new family member could catch a break whenever she needed to, especially at the beginning. Fortunately, Cristal took to her new life pretty soon.

In 2018, Cristal had just given birth to her adorable kittens and after sending them to their new families, mama cat started secretly dreaming about a home of her own

Image credits: patasparribaoficial

Image credits: patasparribaoficial

Soon after getting adopted by the owners of pet supply store, Cristal started wandering outside the store much to mall customers and employee delight
Image credits: patasparribaofficial

“Cristal adapted quickly to the mall,” her owner Luciana shared. “We learned that she liked being petted by shoppers, and she was calm she whenever she walked away from the store to explore.”

The cuddly cat soon started gathering fans – I wonder how many people would pop in the shop just for a chance to say hi to Cristal. When she wasn’t doing her usual customer service, she would roam around the mall, lounging on sofas in the rest areas and making sure people at the neighboring stores were doing okay.

“I love visiting my neighbor friends, checking out everything that’s at my fingertips, and one of the things I love the most is playing in the plants,” Cristal shared on Instagram. Who knew cats could use social media? “I love climbing up and discovering new things. Every day, I make a new plan. But one of my favorite things to do is run up the stairs and relax on the furniture. I also love being visited.”

Image credits: patasparribaoficial

Image credits: patasparribaoficial

Cristal became Santafé Mall’s unofficial mascot, ensuring every shopper and worker has a great time at the store between her numerous naps. Sadly, this year, the shop owners of Patas Parriba made a decision to relocate to an outdoor mall. Despite their wish to take Cristal with them, they had to do what’s best for her and the new location near busy roads was too dangerous for this freedom-loving kitty.

Cristal’s owners talked to the staff of the mall who instantly agreed to adopt the cat so she could stay in the shopping center and receive the royal treatment she was used to.

“We decided to let the mall adopt her because it was best for her due to the space,” Luciana updated Cristal’s fans. “She’s doing really well. There are mall personnel who are in charge of taking care of her and keeping her safe. We receive pictures and updated reports about her every day.”

Cristal wanders the mall freely and if she gets tired she has a place to rest and get a snack or use the litter box before returning to her duty of exploring and demanding cuddles

Image credits: patasparribaoficial

Sadly, her owners had to relocate their shop to another place near the busy road. For her safety, they decided to leave Cristal in the care of the mall employees and visit her often

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Image credits: patasparribaoficial

Everyone who meets Cristal believes that she greatly improves shopping experience and they often wander in just for the chance to pet her

Image credits: patasparribaoficial

Despite the move, her Patas Parriba family visits Cristal at least once a week – who could live without her kitty cuddles?! The new caregivers gladly share numerous pictures and updates about this gorgeous girl, assuring Luciana she is still living her best life.

While Cristal’s living situation might be unusual, everyone around her ensures she is safe and happy. In return, she purrs affectionately while attracting the customers – why shop at a boring mall when you can shop at a mall that has this purrfect staff?

A lot of shops and restaurants are becoming more pet-friendly as people are willing to spend money at the places that allow their four-legged friend, and if the waiter offers them a bowl of water or a treat, they are guaranteed a good tip.

Perhaps, Cristal’s popularity will inspire shopping centers to become more pet-friendly?

People in the comments couldn’t stop gushing about Cristal

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