The stray cat Anastasia at the 14th century Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik.

Gulf Today Report

Thousands have signed a petition against the eviction of a stray 17-year-old cat from his house outside a historic mansion in the Croatian tourist resort of Dubrovnik.

The cat named Anastasia spends her days outside the 14th-century Rector's Palace in the Old Town and is a favorite with locals and tourists alike.

Despite attempts to find her a home, she always returns to the palace, so volunteers place a cardboard box for her on the palace porch.

This failed to impress the city's museum authority, which is based in the building.

Anastasia in front of the 14th century Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik.

So an animal lover made the cat a mini wooden house in the style of the palace -a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, complete with a plaque bearing Anastasia's name.

This also received a cold response and the culture guardians ordered it removed.

No one, the museum authority said, is allowed to alter "the cultural and historical uniqueness of Dubrovnik, including building shelters or houses."

Anastasia's ousting has sparked a social media storm and by Saturday 12,000 people had signed a petition calling for her reinstatement. "It's her house," said Srdjan Kera, the architect of Anastasia's house.

"We're talking about one cat, not 70.

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic has backed the museum, pointing out, seemingly without irony, that the Pearl of the Adriatic has only fat, "not skinny" cats.