There is something special about seeing a cat at work, doing a real job. More and more often, cats are becoming included as part of the human workplace. Foe example, there is a store in Vancouver, BC, that sells cards, paper goods, gifts, and chocolate. One of the most inviting things about this shop is their shop cat. He is a big tortoise shell cat who guards the store, keeping away unwelcome mice. He also adds a comfortable, cozy feeling to the store. Customers can’t help but stop to pet him which makes him purr, which in turn makes the customers feel good. He’s a great cat!
There are numerous cats with city jobs. They are employed in hotels, boutiques, book stores, smaller shops, and in other places where people work. These cats make the workplace more pleasant for the people they work with as they do their jobs.
Miss Moppet of Rose Tree Cottage
A good example of a cat at work is Miss Moppet, who works at Rose Tree Cottage, an English tea room and gift shop in Pasadena, California. Miss Moppet’s official job title is “sole cat proprietor” and she greets customers, making them feel comfortable as they come in. She is quite the lady, sipping Devonshire cream from a pretty saucer on her frequent breaks.
Matilda, Resident cat at the Algonquin Hotel
Another working cat is Matilda, a ragdoll cat who resides at the famous Algonquin Hotel in New York and is something of a celebrity. Although Matilda is officially a permanent resident and not an actual employee, she volunteers tirelessly. Every July 10th on her birthday, Matilda throws a major charitable fundraiser where she raises money for cats that are less fortunate than she is. She has raised thousands of dollars. You can email Matilda at matildaalgonquincat@algonquin.com if you would like to contact her personally.
Mr. Got to Go of the Sylvia Hotel
Another good example of a working cat is Mr. Got to Go, the cat who worked at the Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver for many years. There have even been two children’s books about him, written by Lois Simmie and illustrated by Cynthia Nugent. Mr. Got to Go wandered into the hotel on a particularly rainy Vancouver night. The manager said, “Well, he can stay until the rain stops, but then he’s got to go.” Well, the cat won their hearts and never left. Instead, he found employment as a guest greeter and a dog finder. The hotel didn’t allow dogs, but Mr. Got to Go would find them out whenever guests would sneak them into their rooms. The Sylvia Hotel is very close to the beach and is one of the most pleasant independently operated hotels in all of Vancouver, so this particular cat did very well for himself.
Further Information and Reading
- Police Cat is a children’s book by Enid Hinke. It is all about a cat named Noodles who wanted more than anything to become a police officer.
- Lois Simmie’s charming children’s book, Mr. Got to Go - The Cat that Wouldn’t Leave is reviewed online by CM Magazine.
- For more information about cats at work, the Shopcat site is a delightful and fun place to look. They have over 400 descriptions of cats with jobs, along with photos.
Related Article
From Rags to Riches: Morris the Celebrity Cat
