There are famous Internet animals, and then there is Grumpy Cat. The one-year-old feline, whose perpetually frowning face turned her into a massive online sensation over the past year, officially became a one-cat empire when she graced the cover of New York magazine’s “Boom Brands” issue in October. The world learned that the estimated value of the Grumpy Cat brand — which includes a coffee line, a New York Times-bestselling book and even a movie deal — is worth an estimated $1 million. The lesson from all this, according to New York magazine? Invest in cats.
The 11 Most Influential Animals of 2013
They pawed around the West Wing and comforted people after tragedy. Sometimes, like pandas, they made their biggest impact by not being there at all. Here’s an unranked look at four-legged and finned creatures that shaped our year.