Meet the adorable and cuddly cats from Northern Finland – Sämpy, Hiskias Hääppönen, Elmeri, and Nelli. These chonky felines are perfect for snuggling and bringing joy to your day. We have compiled a list of the most heartwarming and delightful photos of these furry friends. Share this collection with others who need some catto cuteness in their life and vote for your favorite Finnish cat pictures. Are you considering adopting a chonky cat like these? If you already have one, share your experiences on raising them and their unique character in the comments below. Check out Bored Panda’s previous posts about cats, such as Curious Zelda, Bocco and Zuu, and how cats bond with humans similar to dogs and babies. We even have an interview with Riikka Hedman, the owner of Sämpy and other cats, where she shares insights into these majestic animals, their publishing careers, and how Sämpy became an internet sensation. Keep scrolling for the complete interview and more fascinating information!
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Riikka gave us an insight into her feline companions, revealing their ages and breeds (or lack thereof). Sämpy, who resembles a Norwegian Forest cat, is a sprightly 6-year-old who loves nothing more than outdoor adventures. Elmeri, on the other hand, is a more mature 11-year-old grey domestic cat who prefers to stay close to home. Hiski, a 2-year-old tabby with no white paws, is half Norwegian Forest cat. It’s worth noting that all of Riikka’s cats are neutered males. Sadly, Nelli, who was featured on Riikka’s website, passed away earlier this year. When winter rolls around, Riikka builds obstacles for her cats to jump over in the yard, which they all seem to enjoy. While Elmeri and Hiski aren’t as adventurous as Sämpy, they do occasionally join in on walks and playtime.
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Riikka was overjoyed to have been named Photographer of the Year by a Finnish photography magazine competition, and received a high-speed camera as a prize. Excited to try it out, she captured an incredible shot of her cat Sämpy mid-jump. When she shared the photo with a local newspaper, it gained a lot of attention and a journalist even came to cover Sämpy’s story. People were so taken with the charming feline that they requested he have his own Facebook page, which eventually led to the creation of an Instagram account. Riikka believes that the popularity of the social media accounts is due to the fact that she takes natural and playful photos of Sämpy outdoors, without forcing any poses. To her, the best cat pictures are those where the cat’s true personality shines through.
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Sämpy, the much-loved cat who has captured the hearts of many, has already been featured in two books. The first, called ‘Cat Year,’ was released back in 2016 and proved to be a huge success. This led to the publisher reaching out to Sämpy’s owner, Riikka, to create a photo book solely about the feline. The book has recently been published, and alongside this, Sämpy and Riikka have collaborated on calendars for three years. Choosing which pictures to feature in the book was no easy task, but with the help of professional input from the publishing house, they managed it. While Riikka did write some text, the focus is primarily on the plethora of pictures of Sämpy. The captions for the images are written in the local dialect and have been warmly received. Although there are no concrete plans for the future, suggestions are always welcome. However, any proposals must bear in mind that Sämpy hates to travel and must remain at home. Therefore, if anyone wants to use Sämpy’s image for an animated movie, wallpaper, keychain, or anything else, it is all good as long as the cat can stay put.
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Sämpy Co. has become a sensation on the internet with more than 104,000 Instagram followers and 43,000 Facebook fans. Although Sämpy’s supporters are predominantly from Finland, its popularity has spread worldwide. People eagerly await the latest pictures of Sämpy and its friends Hiskias, Elmeri, and Nelli. Interestingly, Nelli dislikes playing with the other cats and doesn’t like the cold weather despite living in Northern Finland.
In a recent interview with a Finnish blogger, Sämpy revealed more about itself. Sämpy disclosed that it lives in Kalime village, located in the north of Oulu. Sämpy’s favorite hobby is hunting mice and moles, although it wishes it could catch birds. Sämpy enjoys spending time with its Secretary of Forest Trips and cat friend, Elmeri. Its daily diet includes dry and wet food, with occasional servings of meat and salmon. However, butter remains Sämpy’s favorite treat.
Sämpy talked about its owner or “secretary,” who serves as its servant and maid, constantly pointing a camera at the cat. The Secretary prepares breakfast for Sämpy before leaving. Although Sämpy prefers sleeping outside, even in the grass if the weather is good, it occasionally sleeps on the sofa or refrigerator and the sauna when it’s not too hot. During summer, Sämpy takes charge and issues orders to the other cats and mice in the neighborhood.
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