Morris the Cat is the advertising mascot for 9Lives brand cat food, appearing on its packaging and in many of its television commercials since the 1970s.
Description
A large orange tabby tomcat, the character of Morris the Cat is "the world's most finicky cat", eating only 9Lives cat food and making this preference clear with humorously sardonic voice-over comments when offered other brands. Every can of 9Lives features Morris' "signature". Three different cats have played Morris the Cat.
The original Morris was adopted in 1968 from the Hinsdale Humane Society, a Chicago-area animal shelter, by professional animal handler Bob Martwick. An invention of the Leo Burnett advertising company where Martwick worked, Morris was featured in 58 television commercials which aired from 1969 to 1978. Morris won two PATSY Awards (an award for animal performers in film and television) in 1972 and 1973.
All cats to play Morris have been rescue animals, either from an animal shelter or a cat rescue. After receiving multiple contacts from individuals who claimed that they were the original owner of Morris, Bob Martwick chose not to reveal which shelter he obtained the second Morris from.
The current Morris lives in Los Angeles with his handler, Rose Ordile. The Leo Burnett Company parted ways with 9Lives' corporate parent Heinz in 1994. and appeared in the movie Shamus with Burt Reynolds and Dyan Cannon in 1973.
Morris also appears as a "spokescat" promoting responsible pet ownership, pet health and pet adoptions through animal shelters.