Wisconsin man naps with cats at wildlife sanctuary, becomes viral

Terry Lauerman, 75, agrees sometimes after treating cats in the sanctuary.

(Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary)

A 75-year-old retired Spanish teacher in Green Bay, Wisconsin, made headlines this week after being documented doing cat naps – with real cats.

With a grooming brush in hand, Terry Lauerman arrived at the Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary about six months ago, said Elizabeth Feldhausen, the sanctuary's founder, at Fox News on Friday. At that time, the 75-year-old just wanted to brush the cats, she said. But Lauerman soon became attached to his four-legged friends, returning to the shelter several times a week before starting to come every day.

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Lauerman is "very kind to cats," who "can really feel that he has a soothing mood," Feldhausen said.

"He is very anchored; cats feel safe [around him]even those who are anxious, "she added.

While Lauerman never officially asked to volunteer in the organization – which caters for cats with physical or psychological disabilities – Feldhausen suggested that he make it official after "the first time also started welcoming visitors at the door and inform prospective adopters of each of the cats.

But it was only when Feldhausen visited Facebook this week to share pictures of Lauerman, who said she would doze several times a day after taking care of some cats, that he started attracting a lot attention.

"We are very lucky to have a human like Terry. Terry came a day and came forward. He said that he would like to brush cats. Finally, he became [an everyday thing]. He brushes all the cats and can talk to you about all their likes and dislikes. He accidentally falls asleep almost every day, "the note says.

"It does not bother us – cats need that!" Terry is a wonderful volunteer, "he said.

It did not take long for Lauerman's photos to be sleepy, amassing more than 65,000 reactions and 18,000 actions from Friday afternoon.

"I never wait for myself[ed] this, "said Feldhausen of the now viral post. She added that Lauerman did not realize how many people had seen the pictures until the phone started ringing all the time.

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Attention has also been beneficial to the sanctuary. Feldhausen said he has received so many donations in recent days, his old computer model has slowed down considerably.

As for Lauerman, he is "so happy that having an accidental nap saved so much money," she said.