A rescue cat has been gaining attention because of his unusually large nose. Barney Bubble, the feline in question, first arrived at Rescue Cats Northern Ireland in July 2024. A photo shared by the organization showed Barney with a nose that appeared nearly three times larger than that of another cat named Boss.
“It’s a tough life being a cat at Rescue Cats NI,” read the photo’s caption. “All you do is nap in cozy beds (don’t be fooled by the yawn—he’d been sleeping for hours). You get food whenever you want. Our volunteers adore you, and in Barney’s case, you have fans all over the world.”Ь The rescue shared that Barney and Boss have developed a sweet friendship and are often seen cuddled up together.
Despite both once being strays, they’re now described as “big friendly teddy bears.” Before his rescue, Barney was found unneutered and without a microchip, wandering in Parkanaur Forest near Dungannon. A local resident contacted the organization after spotting him. A volunteer from the rescue, Lynsey Jones, recently posted a video of Barney to help raise money for his veterinary care.
“Barney is incredibly friendly, and we suspect he may have been abandoned—perhaps because someone couldn’t afford or didn’t want to treat him,” she wrote. “He’s now safe with us and will get the medical care he needs, for as long as necessary.”
She added that when Barney first arrived at the shelter, he was extremely hungry and eagerly devoured his food. Despite the growth on his nose, his appetite remains strong, and his nostrils are clear. “He’s such a lovable big guy.” Lindsay, another volunteer, shared that she originally discovered Barney while looking for two other cats in need. Upon first seeing him, she admitted she laughed in shock at the sight of his nose.
“It was nervous laughter—his nose looked just like a clown’s,” she said. Thankfully, tests confirmed the growth wasn’t cancerous. In June, the organization posted an update to show that Barney’s nose has significantly reduced in size over the course of a year. He’s been undergoing medication on a week-on, week-off schedule, as it’s believed he has a fungal infection called Cryptococcus.
“It’s a long road to recovery—about a year—but he’s already made great progress,” they shared. “He’s the most gentle, easygoing cat we’ve ever had. He even peeked outside today for the first time, but quickly returned to the safety of the shelter. We’re all so fond of him.”