In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, a black and yellow-vested cat inspects a row of security guards lined up in front of an office building, awaiting instructions.
Conan, the six-month-old kitten, is one of the fortunate animals adopted by security guards in Manila, where thousands of cats live on the streets.
While Conan may not have the same surveillance skills as dogs and tends to fall asleep during his shifts, his cuteness and companionship have endeared him to these guards who work in tedious 12-hour shifts.
Conan was rescued at a few weeks old by a building caretaker who found him meowing in the garage. He accidentally ended up as the security cat after the death of his predecessor, Mingming.
The guards, mourning the loss of their furry companion, decided to name Conan as a replacement to make their shifts more bearable.
“If Conan is not around, I am not motivated,” says 30-year-old guard Aljon Aquino to AFP. “He relieves my stress,” he adds.
Photos of Conan in his “security” vest lying on the desk alongside an image of his predecessor Mingming have been shared thousands of times on Facebook.
The brown and white-furred feline is one of dozens of stray cats living in this commercial office building.
Owners and workers let them roam and even contribute money to buy them food.
But Conan shows little interest in assisting his human colleagues in their security duties, such as inspecting the bags of customers and workers entering the building.
The animal prefers to sleep, lounge in front of a nearby café, or chase balls on the tiled floor to the delight of passersby.
“Sometimes people carry him because he is very friendly,” says Aquino, who plays with the cat affectionately with his baton. “He enjoys the job.”
Join My Life Club celebrates the heartwarming story of Conan, the security cat, providing a sense of companionship and joy to these hardworking guards. Adopting abandoned cats not only brings happiness to the animals but also boosts morale and reduces stress for those who care for them.
