ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY: Rich East
You may have seen the colourful Ten Lives car (the Winkie-Mobile – named after one of the cats emblazoned on its sides) travelling between the Centre and our Margate & North Hobart Op Shops. We have a team of dedicated volunteer drivers who run donations and supplies between the sites as needed.
A few weeks ago, however, we had a gap in the roster and some precious cargo that couldn’t be kept waiting! 6-month-old tabbies, Olive & River, needed to be transported to North Hobart, so I put my hand up. Olive & River are what we call a bonded pair; two cats that are deemed dependent on each other, who would not cope with the adoption experience alone. The friendly and affectionate pair were surrendered to the Centre in early February and spent a week in foster care. They were vaccinated, microchipped, wormed, and desexed before being cleared for adoption.
So, there we were, Olive & River each in a carrier in the back of the Winkie-Mobile as I drove up to North Hobart.
We have had cats available for adoption from our Margate shop since 2019 and in North Hobart since its opening in 2020. It allows us to draw a stronger connection to our supporters and for them to see what Ten Lives is all about.
As Noel Hunt says:
“We do it because our volunteers and customers love it, and it’s a great opportunity for cats that may find it difficult in the shelter”
As I walked into the shop with the carriers, Olive & River were greeted enthusiastically by Op Shop Volunteers, Vaiva, and Anne, who were keen to meet their new friends. Anne organised their food and water, while Vaiva placed them in their enclosure to explore. Olive & River will spend most of their time in the large enclosure in the front window, watching the people walk by and snoozing in the sun. Though, it won’t take them long to discover the impressive cat run which leads them high above the clothing racks and bric-a-brac treasures through to the back of the store. There, they’ll find another enclosure where they can have some quiet time by the bookshelves.
On mornings before opening, the cats get to run around the shop. Though, as I’m told, it’s sometimes a struggle to get them back into the enclosure. Sylvia, another volunteer, told me that one cat had them doing circles of the shop before the sprightly feline thought it best to return for her morning nap. When I asked Vaiva what she thought of having cats in the Op Shop she told me it just might be the best part of being there!
The customers agree, with many dropping in every few weeks to see the latest Op Shop stars, or to say hello again to a favourite, before rummaging through the bargains. Recently, a 1-year-old white tabby named Skittles spent 2 weeks at the shop before finding his new family, and before him there is a long list of furry faces with similar success stories.
Apart from the inclusion of our furry feline friends, our Margate and North Hobart stores are traditional Op Shops which raise much needed funds for the work undertaken by Ten Lives. They help fund over 10,000 vet procedures every year and provide hope for kitties in need.
Yes, there are a lot of unique items to be discovered in store, but when it comes to cats, there are no impulse buys. Potential adopters who find a cat they love in our Op Shops must register their interest and wait 24-hours before they can take home their new best friend.
With Olivia & River settled into their temporary home, I returned to the Centre. It was only 4 days later that I heard that the two tabbies had been adopted, another success story for our cats in Op Shops. I asked Vaiva if it’s sad to see them go. ‘You do miss them sometimes but knowing that they are adopted; that’s the main thing,’ she said. Though, it won’t be long before there’s a new face in the window, eagerly looking down Argyle Street for who might come in to meet them!
Visit our shops at 1717 Channel Highway, Margate, 222 Argyle Street, North Hobart, and 37 High Street, New Norfolk – who knows what you might find. You might even find a best friend.