Published Apr 22, 2025
Elwood the cat has been deemed the most loyal staff member at Epworth Hospital in Richmond, where he’s “worked” for six years. He patrols the grounds, greets visitors, and more! At one point, he even had his own employee ID badge.
A valued team member
Staff members look forward to seeing Elwood at the hospital, where he greets them every day with a little squeak. He takes his job seriously, showing up no matter the weather.
Elwood makes people smile, whether it’s an employee who’s had a difficult shift or a guest visiting a sick family member. This seems to be his talent, and he’s certainly in the right place for it! Where better to spread cheer than a hospital, where many people might be feeling sad or afraid?
As for Elwood himself, he seems to be fearless. He loves the hospital’s therapy dogs and greets them like colleagues, without an ounce of skittishness.
He also greets the people coming and going, and fully expects acknowledgement! He sometimes seems like he’s asleep, only to squeak “hello” as someone walks past him. This security guard doesn’t miss a thing.
The hospital mascot
The staff describe Elwood as friendly, independent, and cheeky. He can often be found rubbing up against cars in the parking lot or rolling around on the ground, getting himself dirty. He also loves a chin scratch!
Although Elwood no longer wears his ID badge, everyone at the hospital knows him. They say he’s their mascot! “It’s funny to think how a cat could become such a big part of our hospital,” one of them said.
He’s a ray of sunshine, and their days wouldn’t be the same without him.
Should cats go outside?
We love that Elwood is bringing joy to those around him! He’s clearly a fantastic cat. But, should cats go outside like this?
Though there’s much debate on this topic, we know that cats who go outside without human supervision face unnecessary risk. This is especially true if they aren’t brought indoors during harsh weather conditions, such as during rainstorms.
The best way to let your cat explore the outdoors safely is with an enclosed catio (cat patio) or on a harness and leash. If your cat will stay by your side, you can also let them accompany you without these extra measures.
Indoor-only cats can also be perfectly happy, so long as they’re given enough exercise and mental enrichment throughout the day. This takes extra effort, but is worth it to keep our cats healthy and safe.
Experts recommend playing with your indoor cat at least two to three times a day, for about ten to fifteen minutes at a time. Cats tire out quickly, and their attention spans tend to be short!
