Kitty Cat’s Death Means Estate Goes To City Oregon Man Wanted To Do Something For Tangent

She was, perhaps, the fattest cat in Oregon - in terms of her inheritance, that is.

Now Kitty Cat, the 19-year-old feline who inherited her owner’s $250,000 estate in 1983, has died. And the city of Tangent is the new heir.

Longtime caretaker Dale Clark, 71, said Kitty Cat stopped eating, so he took her to the veterinarian. She was force fed for two days, but to no avail. On Tuesday, she was put to sleep.

Now, the city of Tangent will gain ownership of the 1916 two-story farmhouse and red barn, once owned by Kitty Cat’s owner, John Bass. The former restaurateur’s will requires that the city maintain the property as a historical site.

Tangent city recorder Georgia Edwards was unprepared Friday for the news of Kitty Cat’s demise.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” she said.

The city council, which often met in the Bass house until 1992, has discussed using the house as a museum, a senior center, or even a city hall. The next city council meeting is July 10.

“Oh, it’ll be on the agenda,” Edwards said.

The city used the Bass house until it needed a new furnace.

Albany attorney Roger Reid, trustee of Bass’ estate, transferred a $100,000 trust fund from Bass’ estate to the city several years ago, and now will transfer a savings account of about $6,000.

“He had enough money and he wanted to do something for Tangent. That was his main concern,” said Reid.

“He liked the cat,” said Reid.

But it was actually Clark, the caretaker, who looked after the cat.

He has lived in a mobile home on the property for 16 years and will be allowed to stay there for the rest of his life, Reid said.