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Collingwood’s littlest employee will work for treats

Ranger, the brown tabby cat who lives at town hall, is celebrating his second birthday in August
2019-05-21 Ranger JO-001
Ranger, Collingwood's town hall cat, with Deputy Clerk Becky Dahl. Jessica Owen/CollingwoodToday

The Town of Collingwood’s lowest paid employee is making a big impact at town hall, while not costing the taxpayer a dime.

It’s been two years since Ranger, the brown tabby cat that roams the town hall municipal offices on Hurontario Street, joined the ranks of the town clerk, human resources and finance office. According to staff, he’s made a major difference in the mental health and well-being of both town staff and customers who walk through the doors.

“He’s such a people cat. He loves people. He greets everybody who walks through the door. He can be so loving and give attitude at the same time,” said Christiane Raycraft, human resources co-ordinator with the town. “He makes coming to work so enjoyable.”

In August 2017, a summer student working with animal control for the town heard a quiet cry coming from the hood of a bylaw vehicle. Upon investigation, he found a kitten in the engine block.

“He was still nursing when we found him,” said deputy clerk Becky Dahl in an interview with CollingwoodToday this week. “I’m guessing he was maybe six weeks old. He was tiny.”

After talks between Dahl and the Sonya Reichel with the Georgian Triangle Humane Society, town staff all chipped in for his veterinary bills and decided to adopt Ranger, naming him after the Ford Ranger he was found in.

“Sara [Almas, town clerk] and I had been talking about getting an animal for the office just to help with morale and mental health. When this opportunity came about, we thought it was perfect,” said Dahl.

Over the past two years since Ranger’s rescue, he’s become a regular fixture of the office environment at town hall.

“If people are having an off day or encountered someone who was maybe aggressive at the front counter, it’s a comfort to have him around,” said Dahl. “He seems to sense it.”

Dahl says there are members of the public who come in to the office for no other reason but to visit Ranger.

“They’ll bring him treats or toys. So, he’s not only known in town hall, he’s also known to the public,” she said. “It changes the demeanour of people who come in to town hall, so if they’re a little bit anxious or upset, when they see him, their moods change.”

Ranger even has respect for authority.

“He knows who the boss is, too,” said Melissa McCuaig, human resources manager, with a laugh. “When Fareed [Amin, chief administrative officer for the town] is not in his office, he trots around, in and out of his office. But when Fareed is in there, Ranger will poke his head in and look, and then turn around and walk away. It’s like (he’s saying), ‘Oh, the boss is home.’”

“He’s a real stress relief for the office,” she added.

Town staff are selling calendars with photos of Ranger to help raise money for his care. They are $5 and can be purchased at the customer service counter. If you’d like to contribute any funds toward Ranger’s care, email [email protected].


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Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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