Introducing the newest Poe Museum cat

Edgar Allan Poe famously adored cats. His beloved tortoiseshell kitty often curled up on his shoulder while he wrote. So it’s only fitting that the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia (where he grew up) has long had a pair of cats roaming its grounds.

For more than a decade, black cats Edgar and Pluto, found as kittens in the museum’s garden, welcomed guests, lounged in the gift shop, and charmed visitors online. But when Pluto passed away in 2023, Edgar was left without his lifelong companion.

To find a new friend, the museum staff turned to the Richmond SPCA, a shelter that had partnered with the museum for a Friday the 13th black cat adoption event just weeks earlier. And that’s where they’d meet one very special kitten, who was part of a group of 11 kittens Richmond SPCA had taken in from a rural shelter to find them homes.

[A cat who works from home]

The shelter staff knew this had the potential to be something special.

The kitten's personality — playful, bold, and just a little mischievous — was just the right fit. The museum staff named him Tib, a nod to Poe’s childhood cat. And Edgar quickly warmed to Tib’s boundless energy. The two are now inseparable. Edgar has taken on the role of mentor, teaching Tib the fine art of charming guests, stealing hearts, and occasionally toppling a trash can in pursuit of snacks.

[Photos capture a day in life of Tom, a NYC flower shop cat]

Today, Tib can be found napping on the admissions desk, photobombing visitor selfies, and carrying on the legacy of the Poe Museum cats. Thanks to the Richmond SPCA and their lifesaving partnerships with rural shelters, Tib gained not just a home but a calling.

And Edgar? He’s no longer missing a best friend by his side. He’s back to doing what he does best: guiding guests through the world of Poe, now with his new protégé.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.