EDGEWATER — Having a pet in the workplace is one of the best perks of a job, and on the city's Far North Side it's a common sight.
What other employee can help decrease absenteeism while increasing job satisfaction, as well as being able to exterminate an average of 21 small rodents a year for free?
Surely only a cat, or dog.
Studies have shown the psychological and emotional benefits of bringing a dog to work, and researchers studying domestic cats have found even indoor felines are fierce hunters.
Several business organizations, like the Rogers Park Business Alliance and Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, have employees who regularly bring their beloved pooches to the office, while Boxers and Boston Terriers can be found in more unconventional places — like a craft cocktail and beer lounge.
Ally Brisbin and Stuart Marsh, owners of 3-D printing studio Edgewater Workbench, said they took in a fluffy, long-haired stray two other local business employees found at the beach because they knew they spent more time at their store than at home.
"If we had a cat at home, he'd be awfully lonely and we wouldn't get to enjoy him," Brisbin said.
She said a few regulars now stop in a few times a week just to check in on the "mini-celebrity."
Get to know the four-legged business partners helping North Side shops grow in our gallery below.
Shop Cat, Edgewater Workbench, 1130 W. Thorndale Ave.
Once a stray, Shop Cat now lives up to its namesake at Edgewater Workbench, taking the overnight shift. Shop Cat is well-known around the neighborhood for greeting passengers riding the Red Line at Thorndale — even in the wee hours of the morning.
Dali, Grooming By Galdy, 7007 N. Sheridan Road
Dali, a full-figured feline, and fellow cat, Mellow, love to sit in customers' laps and be brushed.
Everett, Halsey Onstage, Edgewater
Everett, 2, comes to work at Halsey Onstage costume shop to keep the inspiration flowing.
Izzy and Flynn, Rogers Park Business Alliance, 1448 W. Morse Ave.
Izzy, 9, and Flynn, 2, help mom Shirley Coenen of the Rogers Park Business Alliance spread the word on shopping local.
Roscoe, Independent Spirits, Inc., 5947 North Broadway
Roscoe is a neighborhood fixture in North Edgewater and as the photo demonstrates, one of the hardest workers out there. See more of Rosoe's adventures by searching social media for the #Roscoelikes hastag.
Lucy, Alchemy Arts, 1203 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Lucy, who is just over a year old, was given to Alchemy Arts as a shop cat on Oct. 30 last year — also known as "Devil's Day," the store's owner said. Though she may have sinister ties, Lucy is a sweet, spunky kitten who doesn't mind posing with Anubis, an ancient Greek and Egyptian symbol of the afterlife shaped like a dog.
Please, don't let the cat out at Alchemy Arts in Edgewater.
Soli and Rufus, Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood Ave.
Soli and Rufus are the children of Rogers Park Social owners Erik Archambeault and William Meek. The pair says the bar is dog-friendly and happy hour specials with the pooch are encouraged.
Louie, Halsey Onstage, Edgewater
Louie, 2, gets excited at the mention of having his photo taken — a sign he loves being in the creative industry.
Mellow, Grooming By Galdy, 7007 N. Sheridan Road
Mellow likes to nap in a cat carrier that sits on the bottom of a shelf full of cat food.
Basil, Halsey Onstage, Edgewater
Basil, 6, is one of three pups at custom costume store Halsey Onstage.
Cooper, Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, 5314 N. Clark St.
Cooper often comes to the office with mom Ellen Shepard, executive director of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.
Tom, Linze Rice Home Office, Edgewater
Reporter Linze Rice's 10-year-old feline intern, Tom, getting the scoop on being a fat and lazy cat.
Tom, Linze Rice Home Office, Edgewater
Tom showing everyone just who the hard-worker really is.