Meet Oreo: The Feline Star of This Ohio Nursing Home

At first glance, Oreo the cat might seem like just another black-and-white street feline. But don’t let that fool you. Oreo has a job — as the beloved feline resident of a nursing home in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Oreo found us," recalls Dana Carnes from the management team running the nursing home. "Five years ago, she just strolled into the building, made her way to the office, and settled in."

After five years of relative anonymity, Oreo recently shot to fame when the nursing home released a video showcasing her warm presence and it went viral. "Oreo is just one example of the love you can find here," says Carnes. She mentions there's also a dog residing at the home, though it seems Oreo has more of a celebrity aura. "They both give the residents something to care for and love."

Oreo is essentially the welcome committee for the institution. Anyone stepping into the nursing home will first be greeted by this black-and-white cat with a formal expression. She's not keen on sitting in laps, but she's friendly and always ready for a head scratch or to snuggle next to a lonely resident.

From time to time, residents attempt to bring their own pet cats to live in the nursing home, but these efforts never quite succeed. Cats typically find the bustling environment overwhelming, and residents cannot easily care for them alone. Oreo, however, is an exception. She fits right in, choosing only to nap on the ground floor, steering clear of sleeping quarters. "I'm not sure if she needed us or if we needed her," Carnes muses.