Friendly feline greets downtown hotel guests

One of Dahlonega’s biggest celebrities walks on all fours and will trade cuddles for treats.
Pippin Silverton Ariemma, also known as Pip, first showed up at the Dahlonega Square Hotel in 2016. His exact origins are still a mystery, but even from the start he was a friendly cat.
“When he arrived, it was clear to us all that he was once someone's beloved, and then dumped, kitten,” said hotel hospitality director Sarah Beth Wright. “He had been neutered but would hang around the hotel and was very vocal about his desire for food.”
At the time of his arrival, the hotel already had a cat: Sweet Pea. After some tense interactions between the territorial cats, the hotel owners, Johnny and Catherine Ariemma decided to bring Sweet Pea home, and Pip became the unofficial hotel mascot.
Wright was actually responsible for Pip’s name.  
“My sister Caroline and I have always had a love of the British Royal Family and often felt sorry for Pippa Middleton, sister to the future Queen of England, because she was often overlooked. When Pip arrived, we named Pip "Pippa", as we thought the cat was female” she said, “When a visiting veterinarian looked at Pippa, he revealed that Pippa was really a Pippin and therefore Pip was named.”
Most who have seen him have noticed his strangely folded ear, something he’s had since before he arrived. According to the vet, it’s due to untreated ear mites. He still has his full range of hearing and will happily cuddle anyone who comes calling him. His affectionate nature is what makes him so beloved by residents and guests alike.
“Pip became truly beloved as The Dahlonega Square Hotel mascot when he would curl up on a guest's lap while they would relax on the front porch and contentedly purr,” said Wright. “…We have multiple cat condos around the outside of the hotel for Pip to relax, but his favorite spot will always be on a guest's lap.”
Due to his lovable nature, Pip often receives gifts and treats from guests of the hotel; the bed he sleeps in was even sent by one.
“Many of our guests return season after season to enjoy his company and often when making a reservation, ask about our little mascot. He brings a lot of joy to guests,” Wright said.
Despite his enjoyment of people, The Dahlonega Square Hotel will always be Pip’s home, although he prefers not to actually enter it.
“He doesn’t like to be inside,” said hotel employee Liz McClain. “We’ve tried to bring him in during storms and on cold nights, but he refuses...He has a heated cat condo on the back porch for him to sleep in now.”
He also never strays far and refuses to be taken home with anyone.
“We would often attempt to find him a home with guests who would fall in love with him, but somehow, Pip would always sense that something was about to change and make himself scarce when the guest would return with a cat carrier,” Wright said.
So earlier this year, when Pip went missing for a day and didn’t come back for food, everyone knew there was issue. After some posts on social media, they discovered he had been picked up by Animal Control.
“We were incredibly thankful to know he was safe,” said Wright. “Pip was microchipped, and he received a full bill of health from our vet, Dr. Helvie. He did require a tooth to be pulled, heavy flea treatment, and fluids because he refused to drink during his time away from the hotel, but he returned happily from his adventure a few days later."
He’s yet to go missing like that again and can almost always be found somewhere on the hotel property. If you’re ever in need of a cuddle on the square, be sure to stop by and say hello to Mr. Pippin.