Donations are accepted for Oscar’s car at McCordsville Town Hall.
Submitted photo
MCCORDSVILLE – A cat that showed up one day at the back door of the old McCordsville police station has become the mascot for the town, and now “Outside Cat At Rear” — or Oscar – could use a little bit of help from the community.
Oscar’s pawprints are figuratively on the hearts of many McCordsville town staff and residents who stop by to pay a bill or ask a question.
Now at age 16, Oscar has a donation box out to help with his special diet and medical concerns.
McCordsville town employees who know him best say he’s still his spunky self, but hyperthyroid medications and a tumor on his mouth is causing concern.
“He’s just the little light that runs around the office, and he’s a stress relief at times for sure,” Katie Stancombe said.
Stancombe and Allyson Hamlin say Oscar will take turns sitting on their desks. He’s very vocal, and he’ll walk into conference room meetings and lay in the middle of the table.
“We always joke, ‘The meeting can start now because Oscar’s here,’” Stancomb said. “One time someone brought him a customized collar with his name on it. People will donate money, and we have a box in the front for that. Kids will ask for him. He’s always been on medicated food j just because he’s older, and that’s costly. But now (with) hyperthyroid medicine he gets two pills a day. We’ve always put it out there to donate because people always ask how to help.”
If Oscar doesn’t get attention from Stancombe and Hamlin, he’ll get another coworker’s attention by pawing at their leg. Sometimes it’s just to get them to walk with him to the water bowl.
“He’s one of the spunkiest (cats), but he does sleep a decent amount. He takes turns doing that on each person’s desk, my desk, somebody else’s desk or in someone else’s chair,” Hamlin said. “He loves it when we’re eating our lunch. He likes deli meat and he likes cheese, and if someone has that he gently paws with his right paw. He’s like, ‘Do you have some to share?’”
Oscar spends time both indoors and outdoors, always hanging out around town hall at 6280 W. 800N., McCordsville. An avid hunter, Oscar has brought live and dead animals to their door over the years. He prefers chicken over fish, loves belly scratches and is overall “pretty spoiled.”
“He loves when new people come in, like if there’s an event here he’s like, ‘Ok, I’ve got to meet these people,’” Stancombe said.
Oscar’s care is funded entirely by donations from staff and the public. Cash and check donations are accepted at the town hall donation box. Checks can be made out to “Town of McCordsville,” Attn.: Oscar.
