Feline Office Workers: Unique Animal Shelter Employees

| Print | By Jo Singer | June 2, 2009 2:41 PM

The expression, "put your money where your mouth is" certainly is appropriate for what the Seattle Humane Society is doing for homeless cats! Their offices have gone to the felines! In fact, most of their administrative sites have become homes to many cats in their care. The main administration building has provided feline-friendly and stimulating environments for their kitty residents who live "rent free".

Photo by vtengr4047
2-Office Cat.jpgCared for by the staff, they reside in temporary quarters until they can be adopted. These lucky kitties are supplied with inviting crates in which to hide, a variety of litter boxes, separate feeding stations and many other niceties designed for their comfort. This also greatly expands the number of cats for which the Seattle Humane Society can provide shelter.

Since they are not caged, what is really extraordinary appealing for these "office dwellers" is that they have the opportunity to interact more normally with people. Skitterish and shy cats can blossom through human contact which may make them far more appealing to potential adopters. Being free to roam and explore within their safe office perimeters, they also have the chance to exercise and play. So while they are not living in their permanent loving homes, at least they are getting a taste of the "good life" which of course results into transitions to new homes that are easier for both the cat and the folks who will adopt them.

But what is even more enchanting in this story are the roles that these feline office dwellers play while in residence. One such cat is named ZeldaZelda. Her present job is office receptionist. Her "job" description, beside purring and looking beautiful, includes keeping company for folks working the phones and as the official guest greeter.

There are many pussycat perks that go with this assignment, such as hanging out in the windows for sunbathing, free roaming of the reception area which generally results in lots of lap sitting with concomitant petting. Her predecessor, Princess, the former "ruling queen" of the reception area has been adopted into a forever loving home, where she has traded her office reign for her new role as queen of her permanent castle.

And while the office staff is often sad to lose their kitty co-workers when they are adopted, of course they are at the same time thrilled about it. It really seems that these transitional office homes are a win-win situation for all concerned. I bet that these kitties consider the arrangement to be the "cat's pajamas!"

For folks who reside in the Seattle, Washington area, all of the office cats are available for adoption. For more information, visit the Seattle Humane Society website at: http://www.seattlehumane.org/adopt/pets/cats/all

Can you think of anything more fun and enchanting than spending your work day surrounded by cats? If you do, please let us know by leaving a comment.

RELATED TOPICS: Adoption (14) , Blogs (262) , Cats (117) , Shelters (8)



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Comments (9)

jmuhj June 2, 2009 5:15 PM

BRAVO to Seattle Humane Society! Best Friends and Cat Claws are two more businesses -- a sanctuary and a cat products mfr./distributor and rescue, respectively -- that do this. It's wonderful for the cats, and great for prospective adopters, so they can really see the cats' true personalities when they are calm and happy. YES!

Vicki June 2, 2009 6:12 PM

I think it would be a lot of fun spending the day with cats. Right now I am trying to type with a Shih Tzu in my lap. I thik he thinks he is a kitty. Spending the day with kitties that play has to be very entertaining. Lucky employees!

Diana June 2, 2009 6:48 PM

The Family Bookstore in Deland, Florida has resident cats who live there 24/7. They are not up for adoption, but will kindly accept at strokes and chin chucks. Sometimes I go to the bookstore just to see the cats!

Linda H June 2, 2009 8:47 PM

I work for a vet and have my own private office. There are 2 resident cat that lounge around and keep me company each day. One especially loves lying in my chair behind me so therefore I can never sit all the way back. He is black and so is the chair and I have gotten up many times to fetch things and he takes that as his opportunity to stretch out and enjoy the entire width of the chair, which he thinks is rightfully his. A few times I have absent mindly sat back down and bumped His Royal Majesty. He will then push me with his feet and give out a low irritated meow to let me know I have disturbed his "work". He sees his job as the office dreamer and planner and I am his servant.

Deana June 2, 2009 9:13 PM

Work would be so much more enjoyable and relaxing with felines lounging about the office. I am jealous.

Ruth June 3, 2009 2:02 AM

At the vets I worked for we had 3 resident cats which people had abandoned with us.Fluffy was a receptionist,she sat on the desk to greet people.Kitty was the PR expert, she used to sit on a chair in the waiting room and enjoy all the attention when clients came in. Ebony was quite shy, he just entertained the staff in our breaks. We also had a resident young yellow labrador called Sherry at one point,she had a serious foot injury and had to wear a sort of leather shoe for a while.Her owner got sick of paying vets bills and wanted her PTS, but we persuaded him to let her have a chance of rehoming, we did eventually find her a lovely home and her foot got better !

Amy June 3, 2009 4:23 AM

My vet office has at least one "resident" cat who reigns supreme in their office. It has complete reign and does mingle with the other patients at times. People seem to relax when they see a "resident" kitty in the clinic.

LeraJenkins June 21, 2009 8:43 PM


Very curious question

PeterMontee July 2, 2009 5:51 PM


The authoritative message :), cognitively...

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