When spring arrives, most people think of tulips, patio furniture, and longer days—not new hires with fur and hooves. But across Illinois and beyond, an unusual workforce is reporting for duty: animals that help humans tackle everyday maintenance challenges in creative and eco-friendly ways. From ComEd’s team of brush-clearing goats to Chicago’s Cats at Work (CAW) program, these “animal employees” are reshaping how cities and businesses think about sustainability, pest control, and even community engagement. And honestly, who doesn’t love the idea of a goat with a job title?
The G.O.A.T. Team at ComEd
Nearly three dozen goats spend their “workdays” munching away under power lines in downstate Illinois, keeping ComEd’s electrical infrastructure safe from unkempt vegetation. The initiative, launched in 2019, now includes more than 200 goats who can clear about 20 acres in 20 days—no noxious fumes, no fossil fuel, and no noise, except for occasional bleating.
ComEd’s vegetation management team traditionally relied on human crews and equipment to clear brush that, if overgrown, could threaten power reliability. But in hilly or rocky terrain, the job can be slow, costly, and even dangerous. Goats, on the other hand, thrive in those conditions. They love climbing, eating, and exploring— and their work helps prevent outages while reducing the need for heavy machinery. (Is THAT what they were doing in the Mammalians Nurturable Department in AppleTV’s Severance? So, not sinister at all – ha ha!)
The ComEd goats’ annual appreciation events have even brought them to Chicago. In 2022, a herd made headlines: “Goats on Boats” when they took a riverboat cruise starting from Marina City, delighting spectators and proving that sustainability can be both smart and fun. In 2025, ComEd invited Chicagoans to join a public celebration of the goats’ hard work—a reminder that these small, natural solutions can spark joy in the big city.
The City’s Furry Pest Patrol While goats handle the greenery, Chicago’s working cats take care of a different problem—rats. Cats at Work (CAW), offered by the Tree House Humane Society, is one of the City’s most successful examples of turning animal instincts into a civic benefit. CAW relocates feral cats that cannot safely return to their original outdoor territories, giving them a second chance at life while solving rodent issues for their new caretakers. The cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped which helps stabilize feral cat populations over time. Once relocated, the cats spend about three weeks acclimating to their new surroundings, often in backyards, garages, or courtyards, before being released. Their new caretakers provide food, water, and shelter, and the cats provide…intimidation.
For condo associations, CAW offers a sustainable form of pest control. Instead of relying on poison, buildings can host a small colony of feline “employees” who keep the property rodent-free while adding a touch of personality. It is pest management with heart—and a story that residents love to share. Rob Milne, property manager of the Parc Chestnut Condominium Association in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, is one of the CAW program’s strongest advocates.
The building owns and maintains a privately owned public park directly across the street—a well-used green space where residents walk their dogs, read on sunny days, and neighborhood employees often take their lunch breaks. A nearby daycare even brings children to play there. Before CAW, Rob regularly fielded complaints about rats in the park. Since bringing in a colony of feral cats, those complaints have disappeared entirely. “The cats have become an amenity,” he explains. “People love seeing them, and they keep the park comfortable and clean.”
There was a bit of a learning curve in the beginning. The Parc Chestnut paid a placement cost and constructed a discreet, park-appropriate shelter tucked safely into a back corner. The structure protects the cats from dogs, weather, and the occasional troublemaker. They initially welcomed four cats, but over time, the colony changed shape: one cat relocated herself to the Irving Park neighborhood (Tree House was able to track the microchip) and another charmed a Parc Chestnut resident so completely that she domesticated him and brought him indoors to live with her.
Today, a single cat remains: a striking feline named Fennel. Parc Chestnut is currently on Tree House’s waitlist to add more cats to keep Fennel company and maintain rodent deterrence. Participating in CAW does come with responsibilities and some modest cost, but Rob emphasizes that the investment is worth it. Twice a day, a Parc Chestnut staff
member spends about 15 minutes feeding the cats and checking their water. The shelter has electricity, allowing
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