Ben Squires
Retirement Life

Stray cat brings joy to nursing home

In proof that purr-fect matches do exist in this world, a stray cat has become a mascot at a nursing home in the US, befriending staff and residents at the facility.

Oreo first wandered through the doors of St. Augustine Health Ministries five years ago, and has become really become part of the furniture ever since.

This considerate kitty is loved by the facility’s 200 residents, many of whom have suffered strokes and brain injuries and are too old to care for their own pets.

That’s not to say she doesn’t earn her keep. Oreo has shot to fame, after Cleveland.com produced a playful video about her work at the facility, which you can see below:

Dana Carns, director of advancement at St. Augustine Health Ministries, told The Huffington Post in an email, “Oreo is not a ‘lap cat’ but likes to be close. She loves to have her head scratched. Residents, staff and the children from our early learning center, look for Oreo. She is most often the greeter. I’m not sure if Oreo was in need of us, or we were in need of Oreo. But she’s a great addition to our family.”

What a lovely story. Are you a cat owner?

Hero image credit: YouTube / Cleveland.com

Tags:
cat, lifestyle, retirement life, nursing home