In my years of being a general contractor I have meet a number of counter cats and shop cats. Some in plumbing supply others in lumber yard offices. I always stop and have a few words with them as they know what is really going on. A scratch and pat, a little egg from my breakfast and I add another good friend.
I remember a gift shop which had a cat bed on a shelf near some merchandise which was generally occupied but had a sign to the effect of "Yes I am a real cat. Please do not disturb me. Occasionally I'd see the bed vacant and once or twice actually noticed the feline wandering around. No longer walking around this world, alas, but at least I was lucky enough to be there when the cat was.