At the Oromocto and Area SPCA, one senior cat is making a name for himself — one smack at a time.
Meet Max, a cranky but loveable old feline who has zero patience for nonsense and isn’t afraid to let you know. In fact, he’s developed a reputation among shelter staff for his quick paws and bold personality.
“He’ll stick his arm out and swat you if he’s not feeling it,” said shelter manager Tracy Marcotullio. “He’s kind of a grumpy old man, but he means well.”
Max may only have been at the shelter a few weeks, but his sass level is already legendary. As a way to keep things light — and warn unsuspecting visitors — the team created a sign for his cage: a tracker for his “no-smack streak.”
Every day Max goes without delivering a single smack, his counter ticks up. His record so far? Four days. But as of now, he's back down to zero.
“He gets overstimulated easily,” Marcotullio explained. “He’s not aggressive — he just needs you to respect his space.”
To keep him happy, the staff have learned to work with Max’s quirks. During cage cleaning, they let him roam free with the other cats to avoid stressing him out. And they always keep his favorite treats — canned food and Temptations — on hand as peace offerings.
“He’s a total treat monster,” Marcotullio said. “That’s how you win him over.”
Still, even the most seasoned staff aren’t safe from a Max smack. And for those who break his streak? They’re awarded a cheeky “I Got Smacked by Max” pin — a badge of honor in the shelter.
While Max’s antics have brought laughs and plenty of social media love, the shelter hopes his viral fame leads to something more lasting.
“As much as we’re enjoying him, we really want Max to find his forever home,” Marcotullio said. “He deserves his own people.”
Since his story went public, the shelter has received a flurry of interest — not just in Max, but in his fellow adoptable cats too.
“He’s helping shine a light on his shelter buddies,” Marcotullio said. “It’s been great for everyone.”
For now, Max remains the king of the shelter — swatting, snacking, and keeping everyone on their toes until the perfect home comes along.
To support Max and cats like him, you can donate to the Oromocto and Area SPCA or view their list of adoptable animals here.
