A cat on the lap makes for purrfect reading at bookstore

AT A bookstore in this Kansas town, three cats are on the full-time staff.

- SYDNEY PAGE

Hank, a domestic longhaired cat, is the “regional manager.” His job duties involve keeping track of the computer cursor and “sleeping in adorable positions 22 hours a day,” according to the bookstore website.

“He's the boss of this place,” said Jennifer Mowdy, owner of the Literary Cat Co. in Pittsburg, Kansas a bookstore that doubles as a cat lounge and feline foster home.

Scarlett Toe’Hara, a black short-haired cat, who is polydactyl - meaning she has extra toes - is the “assistant (to the) regional manager.” She is the front door guard, plant inspector and treat tester.

Mike Meowski — a domestic long-haired cat with one eye, named after Mike Wazowski in Monster’s Inc. — is “assistant (to the assistant to the) regional manager.” His role involves cuddling guests and quality control for boxes. Mowdy is a superfan of The Office, and so bestowed job titles based on the characters of Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute, respectively.

“They're just perfect,” Mowdy said of her three-cat staff, all of which she rescued.

Mowdy opened the store in 2023 after 17 years as an educator. While teaching, Mowdy volunteered with animal rescues and fostered cats. She also loved bookstores.

“They're much more than a place you read books,” Mowdy said. “They're a community hub.”

She wanted to fuse her two passions. “I decided I could do it; I could create something.”