Yes, Cats At The Williston Office Is The Best Thing Ever!
I love when people come to the radio station. It gets us out of our padded room, and around people. Most importantly, we get to meet you, our listeners. What makes it even more fun is when someone comes to the studios for the first time, especially when I meet them at the front door. They see the sign that says "please don't let the cats out." The first question they ask is "you have cats?" Yes, we have cats! We have 2 of them. Let me introduce you to our resident cats, Ally and CC.
Ally is the smaller of the two. We took her in 13 years ago last week, and it was the best thing we ever did. It was an extremely cold day when Ally was roaming around in the back parking lot. Michele and Penny found her and the decision was made that we were going to take her in until we could find her owner. She became ours pretty quick. Max was all in because she loves cats. As it turns out, Ally was pregnant, and about a month later she had 5 kittens. Max and Ross started calling us when the kittens were coming. Employees took four of the kittens, and we kept one back. That's CC. Ally is the most loving cat you will ever meet. She loves sitting on laps, she loves her animals scattered in the hallway, and could eat all the time. She knows when things get heavy with work to just jump in your lap, and let the stress melt away.
CC is the big one, and her name is short for carbon copy. She has the loudest purr you will ever hear. I think we held her and her siblings way to much as kittens because she doesn't enjoy being held to long. She tolerates it, but if there anything close by for her to jump on, she wants down now. She loves relaxing on anything warm, and if there is an empty box around, she will find it. CC loves hanging with Max in the KYYZ studio because that is the cat sanctuary in the building. Max has little beds, houses and a cat tree set up. Max is the resident cat person and makes sure they are taken care of. They are indeed spoiled rotten, but we love them very much! It is no secret that Max is their favorite though.
What are the benefits of an office cats?
Ask any employee at the radio station. these two monsters help reduce stress, and they both encourage all of us to take a break.
The girls also encourage us to interact with each other, and they’re great conversation-starters. This is not an issue at our radio station because we talk all the time. It was great when the management team from Townsquare Media showed up just before the sale was finalized. The CEO, Bill Wilson heard we had the cats, and asked where they were when he got to the Williston office. Ally and CC were the ice breaker we all needed.
We do a ton of night and weekend work with sports coverage, remotes and Sunday services. Ally and CC help break things up because we are alone in the studio. The sounds of their purring is kind of relaxing and it gives us an opportunity to get up and play with them. That's a big benefit when we do it because it relieves our stiff muscles makes us a bit more comfortable.
I know...cats might not be for everyone, but they are great for us at Townsquare Media in Williston. They are loved very much, and we spoil them every chance we get.If you want to meet Ally and CC, come on by during regular hours. Ally would say bring soft treats, and CC would say bring anything to eat!