Service cats?

[agate]

I was at a residents' meeting in this building today, the regular monthly meeting, and it was announced that there are "several service dogs and a service cat" in the building.

I've heard of service dogs, but hadn't heard of service cats.

Having known several cats personally over the years, I can't think of a service a cat could (or would) reliably perform.

There are those exceptional cats like Howie's cat Sam, of course, but I'm not talking about her.

Just wondered if anyone can think of something a service cat might be doing aside from providing emotional comfort. Alerting humans to possible dangers, maybe? I've known some cats who did that on occasion--but not reliably.

[stillstANNding]

Comfort cat maybe? They are excellent at that. I have one drapped over my shoulder now.

ANN

[agate]

A clothing enhancement? A cat draped around your shoulder would do nicely as a warmer garment in cold weather.

You have to wonder though:

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Officially, cats cannot be service animals but they can be Emotional Support Animals:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

Love & Light,

Rose

[agate]

Emotional support animals can fly in the cabin of an aircraft and can live in “no pets” apartments, but they do not have the same level of access as service animals and cannot be taken everywhere service dogs are allowed. In this case, cats cannot be extended the same acknowledgement as service dogs.
However, certain establishments might be willing to make adjustments and could make exceptions on a case to case basis for cat owners. It’s best to check with management before bringing the cat to their premises to avoid any untoward incidents.

Well, dogs win that round, but maybe it's the cats who win, really. They don't get stuck having to perform tasks and can just loaf around.

[Virginia]

How can cats be service animals when they OWN you and tell you what to do rather than you asking them for something? They would just stick their nose up in the air and walk away, unless THEY wanted something from you.

Cute pictures Agate!

[Sunshine]

Speaking of service pets, dogs actually,
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[Virginia]

So, so cute and helpful!

I wonder if Sam could do this for Howie.

[Sunshine]

Already does, right? Sam got sick which helped Howie to find remedies recently.

[nuthatch]

My cat is a watchdog . . . er, watchcat. She growls if she sees another cat, dog, raccoon, or stranger come into the back yard. She used to growl if she saw a deer out there, but I guess she decided they are harmless and doesn't growl at deer now. It's strange that she doesn't growl at skunks or possums either, just respectfully watches from a safe distance. She also growls if she hears someone come up to the door. I pay attention when she growls!

[houghchrst]

In a couple of the safe transfer clubs I go to get all kinds of animals that they consider their service animal. Snakes, hedgehogs a couple of birds and a lot of dogs. They are all people friendly of course but I am always considerate and ask before I touch, some wear jackets that will say please don't touch me but most are a resounding yes. I don't recall in all these years if I've seen a cat. Maybe in a carrier but not out. Not that they wouldn't be welcome.

[Cat Dancer]

My cats serve me by telling time. They remind me that it's time for their early morning treat. Then they remind me when it's time for their late morning treat, their early afternoon treat and early evening treats. They don't know that the treat is a way to get their medicine down their throats...don't tell them!

I think people abuse the "service animal" thing all the time. They use it to get their pets in/out of places that they shouldn't be in. True service animals -- not those that are "trained" by their owners paying for a "certificate" on line, true service animals are an indispensable aide for the folks who use them. The others are ...their pets. Beloved, to be sure, but ALL pets provide "comfort", or we wouldn't have them! "Comfort animals' are just that...pets that provide comforts, and now folks feel they have to have their pets with them at all times.

I dearly love my cats. They provide me with great comfort, and they demonstrated that comfort when I was confined to bed by hanging out with me 24/7. But I'm not carrying them around with me when I leave the house.

[agate]

You could try a cat on a leash. I've seen cats walking along on leashes almost as if they thought they were dogs, but on the other hand the one experience I've had with a cat on a leash didn't turn out well. The cat escaped from the leash and went up a tree.