LAKE CHARLES – Hobo, the inspiration for the Hobo Hotel cat shelter, is blind now but still gets around enough to celebrate her 26th birthday.

According to KLPC-TV, her weekend birthday party included gifts from well-wishers of litter, food, cleaning supplies and cat treats, all to be donated back to the shelter.

Hobo’s caretaker said she has a laid back way of life and a special diet -- tuna and crawfish - which perhaps contributes to her longevity. She also likes going outside a little while each day and nibbling a bit of green grass.

Hobo Hotel is the only no-kill shelter in Southwest Louisiana and operates strictly through donations.

Volunteers said it takes about $135,000 to operate the shelter for a year. More than 1,000 cats have found adoptive homes since Hobo served as the catalyst for the shelter’s creation.