Filled with soft purrs and purposeful meows, cats in the workplace add a unique twist to the working world. In this series, we explore the lives of local cats who rule over their domains with trusted humans by their sides.

Nearly seven-year-old Tabby cat Lola has called the Mathews County Visitor & Information Center, also known as Sibley’s General Store, both home and work for nearly two years.

“She’s friendly 99 percent of the time,” said MCVIC executive director and Lola companion Kat Larkin.

Two years ago, Larkin had the onerous task of rehoming her three cats since she was set to move into a rental that did not allow her feline friends. Two of her cats found wonderful homes with Mathews resident Cindy Machen. Lola, however, was different.
Larkin was not so sure about rehoming her as she was not as social as the other two. She asked MCVIC president Bobby

Hatton if Lola could temporarily live at Sibley’s while she figured out another arrangement for her. Hatton gave her the go-ahead and said Lola could stay as long as she wanted.

“It was supposed to be temporary,” said Larkin.

Two years later, Lola now spends her days roaming around Sibley’s among homemade trinkets, books by local authors, historic artifacts and important information for residents and visitor alike. She is more than happy to greet customers and receive pats.

“Since she’s been here, she’s really blossomed,” said Larkin.

Lola can be found on the counter, peering around the corner and asking for attention or treats at any given moment.

“She’s in everyone’s face all the time,” said Larkin. “She’s gotten very spoiled being here.”

Lola enjoys attention, but will walk away when she has had enough. She even has a pair of girls from Thomas Hunter Middle School who stop in to visit her after school before heading to Mathews Memorial Library.

“She loves kids,” said Larkin.

Lola especially adores Larkin’s fourth grade son who loved Lola the most out of their three original cats. He enjoys visiting her often at Sibley’s.

“That’s another reason why we decided to keep her,” said Larkin about her son’s adoration for the kitty.

When she is not working the store floor, Lola can be found cozied up in Larkin’s office with her bed, food and water station and kitty condo.

“She’s here 24/7,” said Larkin.

Though Sibley’s is Lola’s domain, other animals are more than welcome to come to the visitor’s center.

“We are very animal-friendly,” said Larkin. “We want people to bring their pets.”

Larkin adopted Lola in 2019 from the Richmond SPCA. She has found her true home as a shop cat for Sibley’s General Store, ready to greet visitors and receive pats.

“She loves to have her tummy rubbed,” said Larkin.