John Stones and Kyle Walker ‘are among the frontrunners to take home Dave the Cat’ as England stars prepare to fight it out for ownership of the unofficial mascot… with City team-mate Kalvin Phillips also in a three-way battle for their feline friend
Dave the Cat is reportedly set to be the subject of a tug-of-war between several England stars who are bidding to take home the stray after he became the Three Lions’ mascot in Qatar.
The feline turned up during the competition and never left, with Kyle Walker and John Stones becoming particularly enamoured with the tabby before their departure from the tournament.
Dave – as he was dubbed by Manchester City defender Stones – has since been cared for by the Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS), and has now been microchipped, vaccinated and neutered since England’s quarter-final exit.
Dave the cat is currently being cared for by the Qatar Animal Welfare Society until he can travel to the UK
‘Precisely where he’ll end up is still undecided,’ QAWS carer Janet Berry told the Daily Star. ‘So many of the players want him.’
Man City pair Walker and Stones are thought to be the front-runners to take the cat home after packing their bags in Qatar, with the former frequently having shared updates on the two-year-old feline’s life.
Team-mate for club and country Kalvin Phillips is another contender to take him home after he declared the domestic short hair the side’s unofficial mascot.
Kyle Walker and John Stones (R) are thought to be the front-runners to take Dave the cat home
‘He had a little scrap with another cat the other night,’ the defender said before the Three Lions left their hotel.
‘I think they are fighting over territory and the food. But he’s doing well.’
Dave was not only bandaged after receiving the wound, but was given his own mini England shirt to wear.
Kalvin Phillips is another potential new owner after dubbing the cat England’s unofficial mascot
‘John named him Dave,’ Walker explained. ‘Dave is just welcomed to the table. Some people really don’t like the cat but I love him. I love him.’
Walker initially made the pledge to take Dave home with him if England could win the tournament, however the team ultimately fell short as they bowed out at the quarter-final stage.
Dave is unable to make the trip to his potential new home in the UK until at least April and has been placed in temporary foster care in Qatar ahead of a period in quarantine.
Dave has since been vaccinated, spayed and microchipped ahead of travelling to the UK
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