TikTok-famous cat living in Burlington County store draws in crowds of new customers
Store employees said Leo arrived last summer, and before that he was a barn cat.
MOUNT LAUREL, New Jersey -- Customers at a Home Depot in Burlington County were in for a surprise when the store's newest feline employee became a social media star.
Jeffrey Simpkins films videos of Leo the cat at a Home Depot in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, on the 1200 block of Nixon Drive.
"He has two name tags that say 'Hello my name is Leo,' and then the other one says like 'Mount Laurel Store,' so he's registered to the store," said Simpkins from Mount Laurel.
Store employees said Leo arrived last summer, and before that he was a barn cat.
Simpkins frequently shops with his two cats, Will and Grace. He's been documenting their trips on TikTok ever since they stumbled upon Leo.
Since then, Leo has grown quite a fan base of viewers.
"Like all together, all Leo videos, probably over 50 million, around there," said Simpkins.
What keeps people watching?
"His unique personality, like he's friendly, he wears clothing unlike other cats, and he has several places he sleeps at," said Simpkins.
Leo enjoys wearing clothes and taking rides in his shopping cart. Several associates at the store actually care for Leo, from trips to the vet to making sure he's fed.
Some of Leo's fans love his outgoing and playful personality.
"I'm a big cat person and I love cats so I'm really excited to see him. It's my first time seeing him in person, and I really love that he wears shirts," said Theo Lythberg from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
"It is the last week of summer so we figured let's go see the cat and make the most of it and see if we can be part of his fan club," said Michelle Lythberg from Cherry Hill.
Simpkins is hopeful people will donate to cat shelters in the area or consider adopting a cat of their own.
