Now this story just makes us sad.

Loyal HML visitors are quite familiar with our Theo the cat. He’s the best; just ask Ryan Adams.

Theo is domesticated, yet also runs free during the day, killing moles and wowing the ladies, only to vanish in a corner for some alone-time, to the chagrin of said ladies.

Our point: Theo roams the Library as a free creature. He’s not, say, chained to a desk, unlike, sadly, Matilda the cat.

For nearly 80 years, the (NYC) Algonquin Hotel has been graced by a cat who’s had the run of the house — including, significantly, its lobby. Ten different felines — starting with Rusty (renamed Hamlet by the great John Barrymore) in 1932 — have delighted guests.

They’ve wandered the lobby, snoozed on the carpeted luggage carts and ridden the elevators — with nary a complaint. And, certainly, to no ill effect whatsoever. Never mind that, though, when there’s a health code to be enforced! As The Post’s Steve Cuozzo reports, after a visit from a Health Department snoop, the Algonquin’s latest mascot — Matilda III — has been leashed to a seat behind the check-in desk.

Sad, isn’t it?

I was in the New York area recently, and this was, like the #1 story for a few days. People are really worked up about it. Matilda even has her own Facebook page!

Anyway, it’s safe to say Theo sends his support in solidarity. Can’t say for sure, however, as he’s currently getting rubbed by six squealing women crouched around him in a semi-circle on the deck.