Why the internet has fallen in love with the cat 'too cool to be homeless'

A fat cat described as “too cool to be homeless” has become a viral sensation after an adoption advertisement revealed the kitty stands on his hind legs when he’s hungry, and has other very specific demands.

Bruno, an 11-kilogram polydactyl cat (bearing a congenital physical anomaly) has been stealing hearts for his unusual quirks since he came to the US-based animal rescue in April.

The seven-year-old likes to walk on his hind legs and is described as “high maintenance” and “a chatty kitty” who meows often and likes to be pet while he eats.

How Bruno learned the impressive skill is a mystery. The Wright Way Rescue shelter in Chicago, Illinois, said his foster parents did not teach him and they are not sure how he learned.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the rescue centre said Bruno was “too cool to be homeless”.

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“I will still eat if you don’t pet me, but I will meow more and stare at you for a while,” the shelter wrote in an adoption bio for the fussy feline.

“I also drink a lot of water. I never drink the water in the kitchen where my food is. I only drink the water that was put in a completely different room.

“There’s a lot of me to love! I am perfectly healthy other than being overweight. I am on a diet, though. I am walking, playing, and doing tricks like this to lose some weight.”

Despite his attention-seeking traits, Bruno was also described as “a pretty laid-back, lazy cat” who enjoys being around his owners.

Following the social media posts, Bruno has reportedly been inundated with offers for a forever home.

“He has been VERY excited with all of the interest, so he’s taking the time to review all of his adoption applications to see which home he’d like best,” Wright Way Rescue updated on Facebook.