Pets on the Payroll

Jennifer Polanz

Melanie Grotto at We Grow Dreams, a greenhouse down the street from Ball Horticultural Co. in West Chicago that employs people with disabilities, wrote in to feature Basil and Rue, two kitties who started out as feral rescues and who warmed up quite nicely to greenhouse life. Brought in initially to help tamp down the mice population, they’ve learned to enjoy human interaction, too. 

“The best thing about adopting these two has been how much our employees enjoy interacting with them and how comfortable these once-scared kittens have become with the many noises and activities that happen here at the greenhouse,” Melanie wrote. “Team members and customers alike come in and take time to find the cats, bring them treats and give them affection.”

Do you have a great pet to feature? Email me at jpolanz@ballpublishing.com. GP