The Cat’s Meow charity thrift shop, located at the intersection of Sykes and Boucher Streets in the Municipality of Meaford, is inviting everyone to help celebrate their 11th anniversary.
“We would like to thank all our donors and faithful customers by serving up snack sandwiches and cake on Friday, December 13, which has been proven to be a lucky day for us. And to all our wonderful volunteers, there is no amount of thanks enough for all you do for the store. Every penny goes to the Grey Bruce Animal Shelter,” said Karen Naish of the Cat’s Meow.
It was Friday, December 13, 2013 when The Cat’s Meow opened their doors for the first time in Meaford on Boucher Street. It was snowy out, but the atmosphere inside the shop was a party. Then-mayor of Meaford, Francis Richardson, attended, and MP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Larry Miller sent a special plaque.
It all began with the Clarksburg Cat Shelter, where Linda Wykes was instrumental in housing stray cats in a small building behind the old print shop. She, along with other volunteers would do the daily routine. Many cats were adopted out over the years.
Meanwhile, Diane Walker opened the first Cat’s Meow in Clarksburg and Karen Naish produced The Sound of Meow-sic at the Meaford Hall and a Women’s Day Fashion Show at the Meaford Curling Club as successful fundraisers. Sadly, after a good try, the first Cat’s Meow closed.
When the Cat’s Meow lease was not renewed at the Clarksburg location, it was decided that a store facility would be searched out in Meaford, which led to the Boucher Street location occupied by the organization today. Interestingly, the new Cat’s Meow location had previously been The Meaford Independent newspaper office for three years.
The Clarksburg shelter moved into Thornbury and became the shelter for The Blue Mountains, but it became apparent that this shelter would be closed. That’s when the Grey Bruce Animal Shelter (GBAS) came to the rescue. They took the remaining cats and incorporated them into their shelter at Concession Rd. 8 S, Meaford.
“Grey Bruce Animal Shelter is registered as a charity and houses owner-surrendered cats and dogs. It is a well run machine but, again, always needs animal-loving volunteers. Or if you like to stage merchandise and/or have a retail background, volunteering in our store instead would be perfect for you. The Cat’s Meow would welcome more volunteers to come in and work for four hours. We are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 – 2. To learn more about GBAS go to our website,” said Naish.
To learn more about GBAS or the Cat’s Meow, visit their website: www.grey-bruceanimalshelter.com/the-cats-meow.html
