perceptive cat

Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours.

His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live….

The two-year-old feline was adopted as a kitten and grew up in a third-floor dementia unit at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility treats people with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and other illnesses.

After about six months, the staff noticed Oscar would make his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses. He’d sniff and observe patients, then sit beside people who would wind up dying in a few hours.

For the complete story, see here.

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4 Responses to perceptive cat

  1. Kris Freed says:

    Wow!

  2. Heidi says:

    I heard this story on NPR this morning… amazing.

  3. Ryan Freed says:

    Yep, I heard this morning too. Must be a slow news day.

    The Grim Kitty

  4. Mother of the bride says:

    …saw it on the Today show…lovely little gray/white kitty, somewhat longer hair…but would give pause should he snuggle up beside me.

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