Last Updated on 15 August 2025 by Vanessa
This cat is famous in Italy! Allow me to introduce you to Leo the cat. He’s the extraordinary and charismatic “feline manager” of the Oliveti stationary shop in Vicenza.
From stray to star
“The story of Leo the cat is one that I really love,” says photographer Marianna Zampieri.
“Leo the cat was a stray and free to roam wherever he wanted to. But he made the deliberate choice to stay at Oliveti and established an inseparable bond with his owner from the very moment he graced the shop with his presence.”
With unwavering loyalty and undeniable charm, Leo embodies the deep bond that can grow between a cat and his human. He leaves a lasting impression at Oliveti but has also won over the hearts of admirers all across Italy.
Feline manager
Leo is one gorgeous feline manager.
With a natural talent for charm, he effortlessly draws in visitors and keeps them coming back just to spend time with him.
His unique approach to customer relations feels both endearing and incredibly effective.
His warm welcome begins with a gentle rub against the legs of each customer, a gesture that instantly melts away any trace of stress or weariness they may carry.
In return for those fortunate enough to bestow scratches behind his ears, Leo generously reciprocates with extra cuddles.
He forms an intimate connection that transcends the boundaries of traditional customer service.
His presence has become synonymous with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Visitors feel not only appreciated as customers but also embraced as part of a larger feline-imbued family.
After hours
After a fulfilling day of diligently managing the Oliveti stationary shop, Leo knows when it’s time to unwind and indulge in some well-deserved rest.
He either slips between the collectors’ items on the shelves or curls up in his cozy bed, taking a quiet moment away from the hustle of the shop to recharge his paws and sharp mind.
When a new day begins, Leo wakes with fresh purpose and steps out of his hiding spot, ready to take on his duties and charm every customer who walks through the door.
In the realm of customer satisfaction, Leo the cat reigns supreme.
He proves that a little feline magic can transform a simple visit to a stationary shop into an extraordinary and cherished experience.
C-AT WORK
Leo the cat is a perfect example of the extraordinary working cats that photographer Marianna Zampieri captures through her lens. Her rich portfolio celebrates a variety of feline muses, each embracing a unique role in a different environment.
In one of her earlier series, she photographed the resident cats of the Classense Library in Ravenna and highlighted their elegant presence among the shelves of literary treasures.
In another project, she turned her attention to the charming Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice (Library of High Water) and portrayed the resident cats who calmly oversee its maze of books.
She also created evocative portraits of the feline PR Manager at the Rebelle Barber Shop in Vicenza and the cat who “runs” the Cat Sound Studio in Badia Polesine.
About the photographer
Marianna Zampieri is a photographer – or “catographer,” as she likes to call herself – who captures the beauty and adventurous lives of cats in Venice (and Italy in general) and their bond with their humans.
She has published three books – Cats in Venice Volume 1, Cats in Venice Volume 2, and Cats in Venice Volume 3 – as well as several cat calendars featuring the cats of Venice.
Check out Marianna Zampieri’s website for even more cat pictures.
Pin this cat of the Oliveti stationary store in Vicenza!
