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Anyone who has spent time around Maine Coon cats knows they tend to have very big personalities to go along with their very big bodies. And one shelter lobby cat named Monster seems determined to show every single visitor exactly what that personality looks like.

Monster is a huge orange Maine Coon who lives at a shelter and greets guests in the most unpredictable way possible.

TikTok user @animalharborfc shared the clip with the caption, “Our lobby cat Monster is one of a kind… someone please adopt him.”

In the video, Monster sits proudly in the lobby like he runs the place, which he probably does. As someone walks past him, the giant Orange Cat casually reaches out and gives them a quick swat, like he’s reminding everyone who is really in charge.

Related: Maine Coon Kitten Has One Blue Eye and One Brown Eye—and Her Colors Are Stunning

But seconds later, Monster switches personalities entirely.

A young girl sits down nearby and begins reading a book while gently petting him, and the supposedly ferocious lobby cat suddenly melts into the sweetest, calmest companion imaginable.

The contrast between “slappy chaos goblin” and “gentle reading buddy” is honestly impressive.

There’s only one comment on the video so far, but it perfectly captures Monster’s potential.

“We got BW from y’all. He was also a slapper, but now he lets you pick him up, and you can rub his tummy and rub your head on his head. Once you get him home, he could be a gentleman!”

Which feels like a very accurate description of many cats.

Why Do Some Shelters Have ‘Resident’ Cats?

Some animal shelters have what people lovingly call “resident cats.” These are kitties who staff members fall especially in love with and decide to keep around the facility to greet visitors and help show off how wonderful cats can be.

Lobby cats like Monster often help new visitors feel welcome and can even encourage potential adopters to spend more time interacting with the animals. Sometimes they are simply cats whose personalities make them perfect unofficial greeters.

Of course, having a big, confident Maine Coon like Monster in the lobby probably makes the shelter feel like it has its own slightly chaotic mascot.

Speaking of chaotic cats, my own Maine Coon, Meatball, is a master of the classic “belly trap.”

Every once in a while, he rolls onto his back looking extremely soft and fluffy, with his giant, floofy stomach fully on display like he’s inviting pets.

It looks adorable and irresistible.

But the second I actually reach down and touch the belly, he immediately grabs my arm with both paws, digs in his claws, and bunny kicks like he’s fighting off a predator in the wild.

So if Monster occasionally switches between sweet angel and surprise slap machine, honestly, that just sounds like extremely normal Maine Coon behavior.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Mar 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.