When Reddit user Frameset walked past a grocery store in Liverpool, England, recently, a little black and white cat caught his attention.
Curled up alone in a small dirt patch beside the building, the cat looked like she might be a stray — hungry, tired, and in need of help. Concerned, he stepped closer.
But then he saw the note.
The cat, it turns out, wasn’t in any trouble at all — she was just playing a role. Literally.
Placed carefully near her cardboard “bed” was a handwritten message that told the real story:
“Please do not feed the black and white cat.
My name is Lili and I have a home on Kenyon (the next street over).
I am an actress! I like attention! I like food!
It is very kind of you, but please stop feeding me, because I will spend less time at home.
Thank you x”
Frameset realized he hadn’t stumbled upon a stray at all — he’d been duped by a professional. Lili, the clever cat, had been putting on a show to score affection (and snacks) from kind-hearted passersby.
After he shared the note and photo online, others quickly chimed in with stories of their own run-ins with the charming feline.
“She’s very friendly,” one commenter wrote. “But I think half the problem is she sits in places that make it look like she needs help.”
The Dodo reached out to a vet clinic located near Lili’s home to see if they knew her. Though they couldn’t confirm anything officially, a staff member did share this:
“While we can’t share patient details, we can say many of us see Lili on our lunch breaks — she’s very sweet! She meows and walks right up to you for cuddles and attention.”
Just as the note says — no food required.
So next time you’re in Liverpool and see a sad-looking black and white cat lounging by a store, don’t be fooled. That’s Lili, the local celebrity with a home nearby, a flair for drama, and a well-earned reputation as the best little actress on Kenyon Street.
