At the Oromocto and Area SPCA in New Brunswick, Canada, there’s a senior cat who’s stolen everyone’s attention not with his cuteness, but with his attitude.
His name is Max. And he does not tolerate nonsense.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at him.
With his soft fur and calm expression, Max gives off the vibe of a polite, older gentleman.
But don’t let that fool you.
Behind the glass of his shelter enclosure lives a cat with clear boundaries, strong opinions, and a very accurate right hook.
“He’ll reach his arm right out through the cage and smack if he needs to,” said Tracy Marcotullio, the shelter’s manager.
That’s right. Max is a smacker.
And not in a mean way. He’s just… opinionated. He loves a good head scratch until he doesn’t.
He enjoys the company of humans until they stay too long.
And if you happen to miss one of his cues, he’ll let you know with a swift little paw to the hand.
“He’s sort of a cranky old man,” Marcotullio said. “If you don’t read his cues properly, then you’re getting smacked.”
Instead of trying to hide this behavior or discourage visitors, the shelter did something unexpected. They made a sign.
Right on Max’s cage, there’s a notice tracking his “No Smacks” streak.
Each day that Max goes without swatting a staff member or visitor, a new tally is added.
So far, his longest stretch has been four days. That record didn’t last.
Max is currently back at zero.
Shelter staff update the sign regularly, celebrating his good days and laughing off the not-so-good ones.
And whoever breaks his streak gets a commemorative pin as a keepsake.
Think of it as a badge of honor.
But here’s the thing. Max isn’t a bad cat. Far from it.
He’s affectionate. He loves his snacks. He even enjoys roaming the shelter during cleaning time, when he’s allowed to stretch his legs and interact with other cats.
“He’s a treat monster,” Marcotullio said. “The way to his heart is with canned food or Temptations treats.”
The smacking, she explained, isn’t aggression. It’s just overstimulation.
Like many older cats, Max gets overwhelmed easily. He knows what he likes and doesn’t appreciate being pushed beyond that.
And honestly? That kind of honesty is refreshing.
Max’s spicy personality has turned him into a local celebrity.
When the shelter started posting about him online, people couldn’t get enough.
Videos of him reaching out dramatically from his cage, or proudly sitting under his updated sign, have drawn a lot of attention.
And not just for Max, but for other animals at the shelter too.
“He’s helped bring attention to other cats in the shelter,” said Marcotullio. “It’s a win-win.”
As funny as his story is, the goal remains the same. T
he shelter wants Max to find a forever home. A calm one. Possibly with adults who understand cats and can respect his boundaries.
A place where he can be spoiled with treats and not bothered too much when he needs space.
Because under all that sass is a cat who’s just looking for peace and understanding.
For now, Max continues to hold court at the shelter. Smacking when necessary, snacking as often as allowed, and racking up fans with each new social post.
And who knows? His next visitor might just be the person who sees past the swats and falls for the senior cat with the golden paw.
Until then, the sign on Max’s cage stays updated. The streak starts again.
And somewhere in the shelter, a staff member is probably rubbing their hand after another well-deserved tap.
Max isn’t just a cat looking for a home. He’s a reminder that sometimes, being yourself, quirks and all, is exactly what makes you unforgettable.