By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
GOVERNORS ISLAND — The stray cat that washed up on Governors Island last month won't be nameless for long.
After receiving more than 3,000 suggestions for what to call the brave feline, the Trust for Governors Island has narrowed it down to five finalists: Mary Ann, Ginger, Molly Brown, Salty and Buttermilk.
The first two are references to "Gilligan's Island," while Molly Brown refers to "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," a Titanic passenger who tried to save lives as the ship sunk. Buttermilk comes from the Buttermilk Channel, which separates Governors Island from Brooklyn.
"Let us know what you think!" Elizabeth Rapuano, chief of staff for the Trust, wrote on the island's blog. "The cat needs a name!"
The Trust is asking people to cast their votes in the comments section of the blog and will pick a winner by the end of this week. So far, Buttermilk and Molly Brown look like the early favorites.
Workers found the friendly calico cat near the island's shore on April 17, after a weekend of strong storms. Her fur was matted with salt and she had a few pieces of seaweed stuck to her, leading to the theory that she swam or rode a piece of debris onto the island from another part of the city or from New Jersey.
The cat had no tags or microchip identification, and while the island's staff has tried to find her owners, they have not been successful so far. Meanwhile, Rapuano said the cat is enjoying Fancy Feast meals and is still getting along well with the island's workers.
Unless the cat's owners come forward soon, the pioneering calico will likely still be roaming the island when it reopens to the public on May 27.
