With video: 'Ugly Bat boy' taking the world by storm

STRATHAM — Sitting perched atop a computer at the Exeter Veterinary Hospital on Friday, "Ugly Bat Boy" acts as if he's nothing special.

Only the mostly bald cat, who has a large patch of unkempt hair on his chest that resembles a lion's mane, has gained attention from media outlets all over the country and the world.

"Uggs," as he has come to be known, has spent the past six months at the hospital and has slowly grown into its resident celebrity.

The cat's owner, Veterinarian Stephen Bassett said although he's not entirely sure of his cat's breed, he considers him "one of a kind." Bassett has owned the feline for nearly eight years and said the attention he's gotten over the past couple of weeks has been incredible.

Since a story about Uggs aired on WMUR-TV last week, Bassett said the clinic has been inundated with phone calls from media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, and has even fielded calls from journalists working for the BBC in the United Kingdom.

The clinic also took a call from the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

"It's been a whirlwind for the past week," said Basset. "Everyone wants a piece of the Ugg."

Ugly was born as part of a litter of four, including a sister that looked just like him but later died, said Bassett. Having previously belonged to one of his clients, Bassett said he took such an interest into the feline that the client ended up giving the kitten to him nearly eight years ago.

Bassett's daughter ended up naming the kitten after the Bat Boy which was featured in various Weekly World News editions. The Bat Boy is a fictional creature, half human, half bat that has made a number of appearances in the infamous tabloid. He debuted as a cover story on June 23, 1992. An article posted this week on the magazine's website even makes references to Ugly and states that the infamous Bat Boy sneaked into the Stratham hospital just to get a chance to meet the famed feline.

His fame hasn't stopped there though. Curious cat lovers and feline fans have also been calling the hospital non-stop hoping to find out more about the ugly cat.

Christine Hartnett, a veterinary technician, said Ugly likes to sit on the computer most all day and is not only very friendly, but loves people and other pets.

"He's got the run of the place," Hartnett said.