Senior center is the cats’ meow

Kristi O’Harran

Kristi’s Notebook

NHallie was as happy to see me as my bank on payday. This queen of the Everett Senior Activity Center welcomed my scratching hand with a meow and a lick.

I was honored her highness made time for a lowly subject like myself. She reigns with cohort Lily, also gorgeous feline royalty, from chairs to laps at their happening clubhouse.

These hep cats know a good deal when they see one.

About a year ago, Everett Senior Activity Center Director Ralph Mackey toyed with the idea of letting a cat live at the lively digs. He researched the success of pet programs at nursing and retirement homes and read information published by AARP about pets and seniors.

"Seniors love pets," Mackey said. "I thought cats would be OK for us. No one would have to take the cat home like they would a dog."

While the idea percolated, fate stepped in. JoAnne Emery, office specialist, came to work one day with an awful errand on her mind. A stray kitten from her Granite Falls neighborhood needed to be dropped off at the animal shelter. The shelter opened later in the morning so Emery brought the kitten along to the center.

Staff nuzzled the ball of fluff while discussing what can happen to a cat at the shelter.

Tiger Lily never made it to the pound. She was taken to a veterinarian to fix an injured lip and recuperated at her new home.

Mackey didn’t want Lily to be lonesome, so he adopted Hallie at the shelter. The two girls pal around the more than 18,000 square feet of the center with only a few spots off limits.

The two beauties wear little boxes on their bright collars, about the size of a AA battery. It’s bulky, but they don’t seem to mind the bulge. Invisible electric fences keep the cats from getting into the food or medical areas of the center. They have their own eating area. The staff takes turns on potty-box duty.

About the only inconvenience of having the pets is brushing their hair off chairs for staff meetings in Mackey’s office, he said.

Lily has a special friend who visits the center four days each week. Nelda Thyholt said Lily usually meets her at the door.

"Every day I look forward to seeing her," Thyholt said. "I can’t see anymore. She escorts me to the craft room."

Thyholt keeps a little surprise for Lily in the arts area. Next to windows that overlook Pacific Avenue, Thyholt keeps a chair on a table so Lily can climb high enough to peer outside.

"She loves to sit and look," Thyholt said. "She loves it when I scratch her ears and around her head."

I could hardly keep track of the cats. I saw them together in front of an open cupboard door. They had their little noses pressed near the lower shelf, exploring the new view.

Later, Lily showed me how she sits and looks at Pacific Avenue. It was too adorable. She was lying on the chair, with both paws stretched to the windowsill. It was the perfect height for the cat to slip into a fantasy land of chasing birds.

The day before, Mackey said a male resident played a great game with the cats. He walked around the center, dragging a string tied to a stick. The cats battled and batted the wiggling foe as the gentleman kept the line moving to their delight.

Mackey said there are some folks who visit the center who are allergic to cats. They keep their distance and few complain. Others, who he said he didn’t know could bend over, manage to reach down to pet the ladies.

"Most think it’s wonderful we’ve got the cats," Mackey said. "Most don’t have a pet at home."

The cats see more than 300 visitors a day at the Everett Senior Activity Center, 3025 Lombard Ave. Activity seems to be the key word here six days a week. It’s been several years since I did a story about the pool hall. There were a dozen men eyeing cue balls the day I visited. Friday is ladies’ pool day so women get a chance to test the felt. Three seniors had their feet in tubs of warm water at a foot clinic. A volunteer buzzed around the snack bar area. Before you get too far into your Christmas shopping, drop by the center store. Handmade baby clothing and a Barbie tent complete with a sleeping bag are worth a peek.

Take a computer class, eat lunch, book a bus trip, exercise, square dance, work a jigsaw puzzle or play bridge.

Then again, you could spend a quiet day in a comfortable chair with a lovely Lily or Hallie cat on your lap.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.