The Cat in Charge: Life at Felius According to Persi
Hello, and welcome to Felius Cat Cafe & Rescue, or as I like to call it, my personal domain. My name is Persimmon, but you can call me Persi. All my friends do. I have the honor and responsibility of being Felius’ CEO (Cat Executive Officer).
You may have seen me lounging around the playroom, or perhaps we’ve crossed paths during one of my many forays into the community. I’m hard to miss. I am, after all, the most striking cat in the playroom. That's not me bragging, everyone says that I am very handsome.
‘How does one become the resident cat of Felius,’ you ask?
Unfortunately for humans, you need to be a cat to apply. However, it also helps to be a cat with a certain level of charisma, one who can project an aura of chill and calm for any nervous cats who may be coming into the playroom for the first time. Patience with kittens and the ability to roll with their punches is an added personality bonus.
As you can imagine, I impeccably embody all these traits.
My day usually starts with a routine patrol of the playroom to make sure everything is running smoothly: water and food bowls filled, litter boxes fresh, toys in order. If something isn’t up to my standards, I file a complaint with my human servants, which consists of obsessive meowing and head butting. Once the issue is taken care of, I am always sure to express my appreciation with purrs and cuddles. I run a tight ship, but I always reward hard work.
Once the playroom is open, I tend to grab a nap or two (or three) throughout the day. Being a CEO is hard work, and self-care is important. I use the running wheel throughout the day to get my steps in. Personal grooming also takes up a considerable amount of time. I may have natural good looks, but I’m representing Felius at all times, so I always need to look my best.
One of my primary duties is mentoring new kittens. Many of our kittens come in small, and they don’t always know cat manners. It's my job to teach them boundaries and respect for elders. I teach kittens when it is time to cuddle and play, and when other cats need to rest. Sometimes it takes a short hiss and a bop on the head to get them to listen, but I am proud to report that I have a 100% success rate in my mentoring.
Beyond napping, supervising kittens, and posing impressively for photos, I’m occasionally called upon to grace the outside world with my presence and wisdom. I visit schools, clubs, scout meetings, and community events to teach people of all ages about the importance of adoption and proper pet care. These trips are a breeze since I’m harness trained, which means I can count on copious amounts of treats and pets. Plus, I look amazing in my bow tie collar.
Speaking of Felius, I’d like to get serious for a moment and express my gratitude. In my time here, I’ve seen firsthand how much you humans love cats. Simply by walking through our doors, you have made a difference. Whether you’re looking for a new member of the family or may not be in the best place for a pet but still want some snuggle time, you have made the cats’ day here at Felius. My story will continue here at Felius for many years to come, but for the rest of the cats, Felius is just one chapter of a much bigger journey. What I know for certain is this: when humans like you come through the door, you bring something no amount of food, water, or toys can replace. You bring connection. You bring love. And around here, that’s everything.
I often help the humans stay organized, especially when it comes to keeping the toy cabinet in order. I definitely have no other reasons to be digging around in the bins….
It was lovely talking to you, and thank you for reading my debut blog post. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a seminar to run on perfecting the judgmental side eye. The kittens won’t teach themselves.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (THE HUMAN ONE):