Felines have it made at Animal Health Center
You would expect to find animals at Animal Health Center of Marion County, but two special cats never leave the place.
Tom and Sass are two lazy, fat cats that like nothing better than to lie on the counter and greet customers.
"They make good paper weights," said Lori Tajchman.
Veterinarian Jessica Laurin said they've learned to know certain customers. If the cats aren't nearby when the customers come in, they're sure to come around.
Some men enjoy teasing them, getting them to growl and swat with their paws.
Sass has been with Laurin since her first year out of college. She got him as a small kitten. He got his name because he was sassy and liked to bite her fingers. He is almost nine years old and weighs close to 18 pounds.
Tom was brought to the clinic in Marion by an elderly lady. When she found out he needed special medicines, she said she couldn't afford the medicines and asked Laurin to take him.
"I took him to adopt him out, but he fit in so well, I decided to keep him," Laurin said.
He is five years old and weighs more than 14 pounds. He sometimes tries to get attention by plopping himself down on a customer's checkbook, lying on the appointment book, or playing with the telephone when it's in use.
Both cats like to lie on top of the office computers, where it's warm. Sometimes they try to steal bits of the workers' food at lunch time.
It's obvious neither cat gets much exercise, nor do they serve a practical purpose. Office employee Barbara Tajchman said both cats are on diet cat food.
"Tom has caught a mouse or two," commented Paula Morgan, Laurin's assistant.
When closing time draws near, Tom follows Morgan around meowing for his evening meal.
The pets sleep in the room with the cat cages at night and on weekends. Each has an ordinary cardboard box with bedding.
Laurin said if anyone comes into the office during the weekend, the cats are pawing at their door, waiting to be let out.
Sass is somewhat famous. He was pictured in an ad that ran at Christmas time in the Marion County Record.
One thing's for sure: living at a veterinary clinic which sells pet supplies, the cats never have to worry about running out of food.
