NHS Clinic Official Warning About Stubborn Recurring Stray Cat

NOTICE REGARDING THE CAT: WE ARE AWARE THAT THE CAT IS FREQUENTLY IN THE HEALTH CENTRE AND WE DO ALL WE CAN TO REMOVE IT BUT IT COMES BACK EVERY TIME THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE CAT AND IF YOU DO THEN YOU WILL DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.

This is a two-panel photo meme. The top panel shows the waiting area of the Lewisham NHS Primary Care Trust, with blue public seating, a Siamese cat curled asleep on one chair, and a green arrow pointing to an official printed notice. The notice informs visitors that staff are aware the cat frequently enters the clinic, and while they make every effort to remove it, it always returns when given the chance, warning visitors not to touch the cat as doing so is at their own risk. The bottom panel is a close-up shot of the same Siamese cat, peacefully curled up and sleeping on the waiting room chair, completely unbothered by the official notice banning its presence. The humor derives from the absurdity of a formal public health notice being issued for a stubborn, rule-ignoring cat that has claimed the clinic waiting room as its own.

This meme originates from a real photograph taken at the Lewisham NHS Primary Care Trust clinic in London, UK, where clinic staff actually posted the notice to warn visitors about the stray cat that repeatedly snuck into the waiting area. The image was widely shared on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) via meme accounts, going viral for its lighthearted, relatable humor about cats ignoring rules and making themselves at home anywhere.