Texas Garden Centre Cat Sylvester Goes Viral for Rat-Catching Skills
A garden centre in Texas has captured the internet's attention thanks to its resident feline, Sylvester, whose impressive rat-catching abilities have made him an overnight star. The black-and-white cat, who works at Smith's Gardentown in Wichita Falls, became famous after a video shared by owner Michael Fiore went viral, amassing more than 7.5 million views in a single night.
The Viral Moment That Made Sylvester Famous
Michael Fiore, who oversees the garden centre, initially thought little of the video he posted showcasing Sylvester's talents. The five-year-old cat sprang into action after employees discovered a rat hiding among potted rose plants. Fiore humorously described deploying the "tactical assault cat" to handle the situation.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Fiore recounted the moment that propelled Sylvester to fame. He explained that Sylvester, who enjoys being carried around, was in his arms during a routine stroll through the store when startled staff alerted them to the rodent. "When they saw the rat, they said, bring Sylvester over," Fiore recalled.
The video footage shows the handsome tuxedo cat leaping from Fiore's arms and dashing toward the roses. With his tail swishing, Sylvester quickly pounced on the pots, waited patiently, and successfully snared the rat in approximately 14 seconds. "We weren't sure what he was going to do. He does catch rats, obviously," Fiore said. "But it was kind of shocking and funny to see how quickly he picked up on it."
Social Media Milestone and Overwhelming Response
For Fiore, the humorous post marked a significant milestone for the garden centre's social media presence. He noted that the video garnered over 8,100 likes and sparked widespread praise for Sylvester's rodent-catching prowess. "I've been on X for like probably three years and almost every day posting multiple times a day. And, you know, most of my posts get a couple hundred impressions," Fiore told the Daily Mail. "So to get, you know, millions, it was really shocking."
The viral success translated into tangible growth, with the post alone attracting around 2,000 new followers. Reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with many commenters suggesting Sylvester should be named employee of the year. "Every operation needs a specialist, this one just happened to have whiskers," one comment read. Another user added, "That is one cool cat man."
Fiore found the memes created about Sylvester particularly hilarious, noting that his children enjoyed them as well. He confirmed that Sylvester would definitely be employee of the month, laughing at the suggestion.
Sylvester's Role at the Garden Centre and Rescue Story
Sylvester is one of five cats at Smith's Gardentown but stands out as a customer favorite. He is often seen lounging on countertops, greeting visitors, and soaking up attention. "He's the one that's most available. He'll jump up on the counter and just lay on the countertop in a box while the cash register and everybody pets him," Fiore explained. "He always shows up on our social media videos."
With his newfound fame, Sylvester has taken on additional roles, including assisting Fiore in teaching a vegetable gardening class. "The now famous tactical assault cat, Sylvester, helped me teach a vegetable gardening class today," Fiore wrote on X. "No rats were harmed in the process." Photos shared showed the fluffy cat lying among freshly potted baby collards and lettuce plants during the session.
Despite his current stardom, Sylvester had a difficult start in life. He was rescued by an employee who witnessed him being thrown from a moving car. "He stopped and picked him up and the kitten was bloody and beat up and he was little. So he brought him in and we took him in and got him cleaned up and taken care of," Fiore shared. "He just ended up landing in the most perfect spot for a cat."
Now, Sylvester, affectionately nicknamed Sylvie, is a cherished member of the garden centre family. He spends his days greeting customers, making social media appearances, and, of course, keeping the premises rodent-free. "He's super friendly, super nice with all the customers and likes other cats. He's a great, great cat," Fiore proudly stated.
