What Do You Think About "office" Cats?

[lavishsqualor]

Do you think a cat would be content living in an office? There would be daily interaction with humans Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. until about 6:00 p.m. (sometimes later), and someone would come in Saturday and Sunday for feeding, litter-box maintenance and a few quick pets.

The cat would eat wet food during the work week and would get one wet meal on each day of the weekend with the rest being a high quality dry food.

The office isn't super busy but it's a leasing office for an apartment complex so there would be a good deal of foot traffic in and out. There's only one entrance door though so there's little danger of the cat escaping.

I'm asking because I'd like to start an "Office Cat" program on my properties. I'm thinking primarily senior cats but it would be up the property's manager. Ideally, I'd like to have two cats in each office so that they can entertain each other but I'm not sure I can sell the second cat to the management company. Food, litter, etc., would come out of the property's petty cash fund and I would expect them to balk at the extra expense for the second cat.

I'm just wondering if there are any psychological drawbacks for the cat(s) given the limited interaction. Then again, my own cats, Atticus; Thirteen and Bella Roma are alone for up to twelve hours a day while I'm at work.

Thoughts?

 

[Willowy]

I think it's fine for the right cat. They'll get used to the routine.

But of course it depends on the individual and so if it wasn't working for that cat, other arrangements would have to be made.

 

[Libby.]

It would depend on the cat. The cat would have to be very mellow and friendly.

 

[lavishsqualor]

You think it would be pretty clear if the cat was unhappy? My concern is that the cat would be miserable and we'd never know.

 

[Kat0121]

I agree with W Willowy . The right cat would do great. I worked in a small office once and they brought their cat and dog in every day. Both loved it. The dog stayed in her mom's office most of the day but the cat would make his rounds and visit. He used to nap on my desk sometimes. They were both very sweet.

 

[Katie M]

When I worked at the library, there was a serious discussion about whether to get a library cat. I was all for it until someone brought up allergies. That's something to consider as well. You said the office gets a lot of foot traffic-someone with a cat allergy could come in.

 

[lavishsqualor]

Someone with a cat allergy could come in.

I thought about this but, honestly, if it comes down to accommodating someone with an allergy or being able to provide a homeless cat refuge . . . I'm gonna side with the cat each and every time. I might have signs made that say something like "Office Cat in Residence" or "Office Cat Hard at Work," just to give people a heads up.

 

[Kat0121]

Someone with a cat allergy could come in.

I thought about this but, honestly, if it comes down to accommodating someone with an allergy or being able to provide a homeless cat refuge . . . I'm gonna side with the cat each and every time. I might have signs made that say something like "Office Cat in Residence" or "Office Cat Hard at Work," just to give people a heads up.

My DH worked in that office for a while too. He was allergic to cats. The office cat didn't trigger his allergies for whatever reason. He was a DSH and spent quite a bit of time in the room DH used. That cat had beds all over the office. We all loved him. The couple that ran the office found him as a stray at the office they had previously. He was such a good boy.

I agree with you. Give them fair warning and if they choose to come in, fine.

 

[Kieka]

I have cat allergies and I'd vote for an office cat. As long as you have a sign up to alert (and you would probably want a "keep door closed" type one anyways) and a clipboard on hand so the office staff can take anything outside if needed for someone supersensitive not a big deal.

I do think personality is a huge factor. A cat who is skittish and shy wouldn't do well. My vets office has usually one or two older adoptable cats as office cats. There is a little bio with a note saying "love me? I can follow you home today!" sign on the counter. Their office cats tend to be older with health concerns so the vet includes a month medical expenses line on their bio and requires adopters to agree to paying for their costs for life.

 

[Etarre]

I'd go for it! I shelter should be able to recommend an easygoing cat that's not intimidated by strangers or groups of people.

In my experience, cats definitely find a way to express their displeasure. Usually be peeing on your bed, or in this case, your computer keyboard/desk chair. But if you avoid high-strung or shy cats, I think this could be a great environment for them-- definitely better than a shelter.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!
I'm another vote for yes, this is a terrific idea, and I think that other than a skittish cat being uncomfortable which would probably be apparent by hiding or other frightened behavior, cats are typically resilient enough that they'll be able to accommodate an office

 

[aliceneko]

I agree that it would depend on the cat and if the right cat/s were chosen, it would be a great idea. I'm due to start university in September at we have a "campus cat", who gets 24/7 attention from various students and professors, and he gets some treats sometimes too, and different professors take turns in feeding him since the university took him in as a stray (he lives on campus).

 

[tarasgirl06]

lavishsqualor Another "YES!!!" vote here, simply because every cat needs and deserves safe haven and good care, wherever/however it can be found, and also because office cats are excellent for keeping rodents on notice that they are not welcome and they boost morale for most workers (and those who aren't fond of cats shouldn't be anywhere anyway, IMHO, seriously, with no apology!) A mutual friend to the north suggests that if there are false ceilings in offices, cats can travel around and when the office is closed, they can roam at will.

 

[Talien]

I think it's a great idea, senior Cats are often content to lay on a windowsill or on a tower for much of the day anyway. If they have some low volume music at night and on weekends I don't see why it wouldn't work. You could even specify at shelters that you are looking for senior Cats who like people but do not like to be around other Cats.

 

[tarasgirl06]

I think it's a great idea, senior Cats are often content to lay on a windowsill or on a tower for much of the day anyway. If they have some low volume music at night and on weekends I don't see why it wouldn't work. You could even specify at shelters that you are looking for senior Cats who like people but do not like to be around other Cats.

Wonderful and helpful post, Talien ! BestFriendsAnimalSociety (bestfriends.org) has a working cat program that has inspired a growing number of other entities. bestfriends.org/resources has listings of affiliates nationwide and I suspect a lot of them have these programs.

 

[fionasmom]

It is not uncommon around here to find office cats. One of my vets has always had them, maybe not so strange, but so did the realtor who worked with me on the purchase of my house, along with a few others. I believe that Los Angeles has at least two cat cafes where you can drink coffee and check out adoptable cats....maybe more by now. Given the right personality I think it is a win win situation.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Before I bought almost everything online, I purposely sought out shops with cats, such as a couple of used bookshops, an office machine shop, and some gift shops. I would patronize them instead of shops that didn't have cats, because...CATS.

 

[Uncled]

I think it is a nice idea

 

[neely]

I think it's definitely worth trying and if you succeed it's a win-win situation for everyone especially the cat who finds a forever home.

 

[Etarre]

Here in New York City, we have lots of deli/bodega cats. The regular shoppers in the neighborhood get to know and love them, and they keep mice/rats/cockroaches away from the food. Of course, the health department doesn't approve, but I'll take a cat over vermin any day!

(If you've seen Russian Doll on netflix, the deli cat in that show is pretty representative).