Paw patrol: Philippine security guards adopt stray cats

While cats lack skills of dogs, their cuteness have endeared them to bored security guards

Published: October 02, 2023 12:20 Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor and with inputs from AFP

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Manila: A cat wearing a black-and-yellow security vest strolls nonchalantly past security guards lined outside a Philippine office building waiting to receive instructions for their shift. Image Credit: AFP

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Conan, a six-month-old stray, joined the security team of the Worldwide Corporate Center in the capital Manila several months ago. Image Credit: AFP

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He is one of the lucky moggies unofficially adopted by security guards across the city, where thousands of cats live on the street. Image Credit: AFP

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Maria the cat sitting in her box outside an establishment. | While the cats lack the security skills of dogs - and have a tendency to sleep on the job - their cuteness and company have endeared them to bored security guards working 12-hour shifts. Image Credit: AFP

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Conan was rescued when he was a few weeks old by a housekeeper who found him wailing in the building's car park. He accidentally landed the role of security cat after his predecessor, Mingming, died - reportedly from gum disease, not in the line of duty. Image Credit: AFP

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Grieving guards wanting another furry friend to liven up their shifts decided to appoint Conan as Mingming's replacement. "If Conan isn't around then I'm not motivated," security guard Aljon Aquino, 30, told AFP. "He takes away my stress." Image Credit: AFP

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Photos of Conan wearing his vest emblazoned with "security" and lying on a desk next to a life-size cardboard picture of Mingming have been shared thousands of times on Facebook. Image Credit: AFP

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Shangki the cat approaching a security guard. | He is among more than a dozen strays living in the commercial and corporate building, where they are allowed to roam. Employees pitch in to buy food for them. Image Credit: AFP

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Despite living his best life, Conan shows little interest in helping his human colleagues perform their security duties, such as searching bags of shoppers and workers as they enter the building. Image Credit: AFP

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Instead, he prefers to sleep, laze in front of the nearby Starbucks or chase balls across the tiled floor, much to the delight of passers-by. "Sometimes people will just randomly carry him because he's really friendly," said Aquino, playfully poking Conan with his baton. "He enjoys the work." Image Credit: AFP

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Cats Laura (L) and Shangki, seen wearing black-and-yellow security vests, eating from their bowls outside a fast food chain in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Image Credit: AFP

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Conan the cat receiving attention from a cleaning services employee as security guards stand in formation outside an office building in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. Image Credit: AFP

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