An Unusual Resident at Steere House
In 2005, Oscar, a therapy cat, was adopted by the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The facility specializes in end-of-life care for patients with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other illnesses. Unlike most therapy animals, Oscar was not particularly social, often hissing at people who tried to pet him.
Predicting Death with Accuracy
After living at Steere House for six months, staff noticed a peculiar pattern. Oscar would curl up beside patients in their final hours, typically appearing within two hours of death. His presence became so consistent that staff began notifying family members when he was seen resting beside a patient. By 2015, Oscar had reportedly predicted 100 deaths.
Scientific Theories Behind Oscar’s Behavior
Medical professionals, including Dr. David Dosa, suggested that Oscar could detect biochemical changes in dying patients. Others hypothesized that he responded to the lack of movement or specific odors released as cells began to shut down.
A Cat That Made Headlines
Oscar’s unusual ability gained international attention after an article in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007. His story was later expanded in Dr. Dosa’s 2010 book, “Making Rounds with Oscar.” Oscar passed away on February 22, 2022, at the age of 17.
Oscar the cat wasn’t your average therapy animal—he could sense death. Living in a nursing home, this mysterious feline predicted over 100 deaths by curling up beside patients in their final hours. His eerie accuracy baffled staff and scientists alike. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/d2JKtcL9je
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) March 10, 2025