If we told you that cats and dogs could actually make perfect employees, you would think we were joking. But give it some thought.
Aren’t they doing a good job being service dogs and emotional support animals?
You already know of dogs helping to solve crimes and serving in the military.
Now it seems that the idea of cats with jobs is not too far-fetched either.
1. The Station Masters
Japan’s Idakiso train station is unlike any other in the world.
Since the 1990s, this railway station has always had a cat named “Tama“, who would hang out at the station and was a favorite of the commuters.
In 2007, after the President of the Wakayama Electric Railway adopted the cat and officially gave her the stationmaster’s title.
Tama’s duties include being part of the station’s promotional material.
She worked five days a week and had brought in over 1.1 billion yen to boost the economy.
Since her passing in 2015, her role has been handed over to Nitama, and Yontama serves as the assistant.
2. The Algonquin Cat
The Algonquin Hotel in New York has a dedicated chief cat officer, who handles the hotel’s resident cats and their social calendars.
It all started when a stray cat wandered into the hotel in the early 1920s and became the guests’ favorite.
Fast forward to 2020, and the in-house cat role is now in the hands of Hamlet VIII, a stray found at Long Island.
Hamlet attends a fund-raiser every year, followed by a cat fashion show.
He also has special social media jobs and promotions to handle.
You can find Hamlet mostly in the front desk area, and he is prevented from entering any spaces where food is served.
3. Working Cats Program
Several animal organizations now offer a Working Cats Program, where unsocialized cats can help you manage your pest problem.
These cats, who are not suitable for domestic life, are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
You can employ them in your warehouse, storage facilities, ranches, or mills to control the pests.
In return, all you have to offer is shelter, food, water, and care for them.
4. Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office
Sounds like a fancy title, doesn’t it? Well, that’s what is suitable for the official in-house cat of the British Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street.
Larry was recruited for his mousing skills and has been awarded the title in February 2011.
Now he is an important member of the household staff, spending his day greeting the guests and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
5. Emotional Support Animals
Though dogs are preferred as service animals, cats also have the power to offer emotional support for individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders.
Cats can often be found at care facilities, providing solace to the residents.
Cats can even be trained to detect seizures or epilepsy in humans.
As you see, it is obvious that cats have many potentials to make a perfectly good employee in many settings.
They not only make you happy but also contribute to making your lives easier in many ways.
The next time you see a cat on the street, remember that it might be on some serious duty.