At first, the employees of the garage fed Earl, assuming that he would move on to find a more permanent home. However, when they returned after a few days off, Earl was still there, exactly where they had last seen him. Earl made a tree near the shop his sleeping spot, but when the weather turned bad, he would seek shelter inside the garage. Earl also had a daily routine—greeting the staff each morning with a warm "hello." According to Joe Gallo, co-owner of R and R Garage, "He comes running when the first person arrives to open up for the day. He gets his cup of scratch and then spends time wandering the shop, hunting for any bugs that may have found their way in."

The staff gave Earl his name and quickly grew fond of him. They noticed his habit of searching under toolboxes and workbenches, hoping to catch a spider or two for a snack. During the day, Earl stays close to the employees, often resting under the cars they’re working on or curling up in a quiet corner. The noise of the workshop and the movement of people don’t seem to bother him, even when someone accidentally trips over him.

Earl’s quirky presence has made him a local celebrity. Customers visiting the garage now bring their friends and family to meet the friendly rooster. When the story of Earl went viral, people from around the area were captivated by his special bond with the employees and the shop. Earl’s antics have undoubtedly helped bring in some extra attention to the auto shop, making him not just a beloved mascot, but also an unlikely ambassador for the business.

"Abandoned Rooster Becomes Auto Shop’s Newest Resident and Local Celebrity"

In 2018, a rooster named Earl unexpectedly found his home at a North Carolina auto shop, becoming a beloved mascot and a local celebrity as he greeted staff and hung out during work hours.

How Earl the Rooster Became Part of R and R Garage’s Daily Routine