Hello All.

I found this today online. I think I will have to make the 30 minute drive in to meet some kitties. :)

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From: https://www.tinyurl.com/y6gklh6f (wjhl.com)

Cats roaming Halloween Express store encourage shoppers to adopt

by: Ashley Sharp

Posted: Oct 1, 2019 / 07:57 AM EDT / Updated: Oct 1, 2019 / 07:57 AM EDT

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) While shoppers are out tracking down this
year's top Halloween costume and decor, they might leave the Halloween
Express on North Roan Street with a new, furry friend.

Inside the store are five to six not-so-creepy crawlers. Shelter cats have
free range of the store while they wait for a forever home.

It is a sight that gets quite the kick out of customers.

"That is the best part they come in like, `Oh there's a cat! There's
another cat!' It kind of opens the door to say, `Yes we have cats and here
they are up for adoption,'" says store owner Starr Beverly.

All of the cats are available to adopt through the Unicoi County Animal
Shelter. They are half-priced when purchased through Halloween Express.

Beverly says she hopes to help cats that were not so lucky in the shelter
find forever homes.

"It's hard to see a cat's personality when they are in the shelter. Here
they have free range, they can jump on the counters, they can love on
people, people can pick them up and carry them around the store. Next
thing you know they fall in love and they are taking a cat home," says
Beverly.

This is a partnership that was welcomed by the Unicoi County shelter.

"She messaged me one day and was like `Hey, what do you think about
putting cats in the store?' and I was like, `I love it. How many do you
want, how many can I bring you?'" says Kevin King, shelter director.

Last year, 12 cats were adopted out of the store. This year they have
already found homes for seven, after only being open for a about three
weeks.

"Some of the cats that she has gotten adopted here have sat in the shelter
for 6, 7 months and no one would even look at them. Versus, they come here
and you can see their personality and they get adopted in two days," says
King.

It's something Beverly says is a win for everyone. It drives people to the
animal shelter, gives cats a second chance and even brings in business to
her store.

"People do come back. They're like, `Oh, I'm back to see the cats today'
and they usually end up buying something while they are here," says
Beverly.

Halloween Express is located at 2102 N. Roan Street in Johnson City. Their
hours are: Monday - Thursday 11 to 8; Friday & Saturday 11 to 9; Sunday 1
to 7 p.m.

The Unicoi County Animal Shelter has many more cats and dogs available for
adoption at their location on 185 N. Industrial Dr. in Erwin, TN.
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Later,
Sean

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In a post between "Sean Dennis : All", on 10/1/2019 6:43 AM

Hello All.

I found this today online. I think I will have to make the 30 minute
drive in to meet some kitties. :)

=== Cut ===
From: https://www.tinyurl.com/y6gklh6f (wjhl.com)

Cats roaming Halloween Express store encourage shoppers to adopt

I had kittens in my shop one time for the same purpose - fostering them until they find permanent homes. They were quite a customer magnet!

The kittens would be let out in the mornings for about an hour before the shop would open to the public. We could not have free-roaming kittens in case they run outside.

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August Abolins wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

The kittens would be let out in the mornings for about an
hour before the shop would open to the public. We could
not have free-roaming kittens in case they run outside.

I can completely understand that. I think these kitties are protected
by a secondary internal screen door at this shop if I remember right.

Later,
Sean


... Nobody notices when things go right.
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On 01/10/2019 4:50 p.m., Sean Dennis : August Abolins wrote:

 AA> The kittens would be let out in the mornings for about an
 AA> hour before the shop would open to the public.  We could
 AA> not have free-roaming kittens in case they run outside.

I can completely understand that.  I think these kitties are protected
by a secondary internal screen door at this shop if I remember right.

Sometimes, it was quite a challenge to round them up to be able to open the door to the public on time. Picture this.. 50+ year old man laying down on floor uttering kitten-isms trying to convince 5 rogue felines to come to me from anywhere in a 1100 sq ft floor space full of shelving and plenty places to
hide. It was a game. Eventually they realized the "rewards" of being caught:
a belly rub, a decent massage and a savory treat.

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August,

Sometimes, it was quite a challenge to round them up to be able to open the AA>door to the public on time. Picture this.. 50+ year old man laying down on AA>floor uttering kitten-isms trying to convince 5 rogue felines to come to me AA>from anywhere in a 1100 sq ft floor space full of shelving and plenty places AA>hide. It was a game. Eventually they realized the "rewards" of being caugh AA>a belly rub, a decent massage and a savory treat.

No pressure. <G>

Daryl


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Hello Sean!

** 01.10.19 - 13:43, Sean Dennis wrote to All:

I found this today online. I think I will have to make the 30 minute
drive in to meet some kitties. :)

=== Cut ===
From: https://www.tinyurl.com/y6gklh6f (wjhl.com)
Cats roaming Halloween Express store encourage shoppers to adopt

A recent similar story in Canada:

"A bookstore in Canada is filled with adorable foster kittens that customers can adopt"
-by- Tallie Spencer :: Jan 31, 2020, 10:02 AM

https://tinyurl.com/r3j7caw


../|ug

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