CBS News revisits Safe Haven's 'Cat Grandpa' six years later

CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reposted his 2020 segment about Terry Lauerman, the volunteer known as 'Cat Grandpa,' and reported that Lauerman remains active at Safe Haven while the rescue has grown in size and services.

CBS News revisited the story of Terry Lauerman, the volunteer known as “Cat Grandpa,” after correspondent Steve Hartman shared the original segment on his Facebook page. Lauerman first drew wide attention in 2018 when Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary in Green Bay posted photos of him napping with cats, and he was later featured in a CBS segment that aired in January 2020. Lauerman is a retired teacher and a brother at St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, and he has volunteered at Safe Haven since 2017. Hartman checked in remotely with Safe Haven founder Elizabeth Feldhausen and showed Lauerman in the background, resting on a couch with a blanket and a cat. Known details: - Terry Lauerman went viral in 2018 after Safe Haven posted photos of him napping with the cats. - Lauerman has volunteered at Safe Haven since 2017 and was first featured by CBS in a segment that aired in January 2020. - CBS correspondent Steve Hartman reposted the original segment on Feb. 20 and contacted Safe Haven for a brief update. - In the recent check-in, Lauerman was visible at the rescue, appearing to rest with a cat while staff spoke with Hartman. - Safe Haven has doubled in size since the original story and added a full-time veterinarian, according to Hartman’s update. - Lauerman’s popularity helped the nonprofit raise nearly $100,000 after his viral moment, and Hartman’s post received thousands of likes and shares shortly after it was posted. Summary: Safe Haven’s growth and added services reflect ongoing interest that followed Lauerman’s viral moment, and the recent repost by Hartman renewed online attention. Lauerman remains connected to the sanctuary and continues to volunteer. Undetermined at this time.