Everyone needs a superhero, even cats. And for the felines of Philadelphia, 5-year-old Shon Griffin, better known as “Catman” is the one for the job. This young boy has the power to save the homeless cats and make sure every stray has care.
Shon puts on his superhero suit every weekend when he visits his aunts Kris Papiernik and Kia Griffin. They run a Kolony Kats, a charity that currently shelters 45 cats and provides food, medical and foster care to stray cats. They give the cats vaccines and meals during the week. But they really get stuff done when Shon is on the job during the weekend. He is their top secret weapon. He is great with luring in cats that are so shy.
“The first time he wanted to go out with us, we were hesitant, because feral cats are shy and easily scared and he was so little and rambunctious,” Kris said to People.
At first, his aunts were very hesitant to let Shon help them with the cats. Cats are usually aggressive when they are nervous and Shon’s aunts want to make sure Shoon is safe. But they saw that he has a very special connection with cats and he has them eating out the palm of his hands, literally.
His aunts noticed how good he was with cats when he was only a 3-year-old boy. As soon as they let him join them, the cats gravitated to him. It was shocking for his aunts to see that a cat that would not come anywhere near them for over 2 years, started to rub on Shon’s legs.
“It was amazing to see these cats who wouldn’t even allow us to touch them, but immediately took to him. He must have this magical effect that the cats can pick up,” Kris told The Dodo.
Shon really has a way with the cats. When he comes down the allies dressed in one of his super suits, the cats run to him for a treat and a “superpower scratch”. He loves to pet them and his favorite thing to do is give them treats. The way he gets the cats to fall in love with him is a real superpower. It definitely makes it easier for the cats to trust Kris and Kia when Shon is not there. Shon challenges everyone to live my his infamous motto, “Be kind to cats”.
“He has a compassionate heart and it’s going to take him places,” says Kia.
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