When people complained about a stray cat roaming in reception, a peak legal body decided to give him a job instead
When people started complaining that a stray cat was roaming the reception area at the Order of Attorneys of Brazil (OAB), the peak legal body decided to solve the “problem” the best way possible: they decided to give the cat a job.
The saga of the aptly named Dr Leon Advogato began when he sought refuge at the OAB building during a downpour and decided it was a cool place to stay, academic Dr Jeanette Laredo said on Facebook. Advogato means lawyer and gato means cat in Portuguese.
“Unfortunately, some people started to file some complaints about the fact that at the reception desk, there was a stray cat hanging around and trying to make friends with the newcomers,” she wrote. “In order to avoid some new complaints, the board gave the solution: hire the cat as an employee.”
Dr Leon has been tasked to “welcome newcomers” to the building, whether they like it or not, Laredo said.
The furry employee has also been busy, as it appears he was attending law school after his job at the OAB. He is now also an “animal lawyer,” according to the Instragram account his human representatives set up for him.
The account, which regularly shares photos of Dr Leon Advogato at his job, now has over 70,000 followers.
His representatives said that people complained about him at the OAB building because he was small and they were afraid he would be stepped on, according to his representatives, Bored Panda reported. Some also said that Dr Leon had no place in a serious institution like the OAB.
The president of the OAB, Auriney Brito, disagreed and decided to hire Dr Leon Advogato.
The feline advocate is also about to get his own office. He and his representatives are working on officially setting up the Instituto Dr Leon, an animal welfare-focused not-for-profit. That’s a cause that’s near and dear to his heart, as his representatives said that he has a problem with his vocal chords, causing him to hardly meow, because of the suffering he went through as a stray kitten.
Despite his rough past and cold start at the OAB, Dr Leon Advogato has won over critics and is pampered by the peak legal regulator.
“Today, he is very dear to everyone. Even those didn’t like him got used to his presence and have fun with him. His favorite place is president Auriney’s sofa,” his representative told Bored Panda. “He loves to play with his toys.”
Images courtesy of dr_leon_advogato on Instragram.
