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Victoria Cordery at the Whangamata Cat
Adoption Team’s fundraising store, Kitschy Cat.
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Cat-lover Victoria Cordery was dropping
rubbish at Whangamata’s refuse centre where
she noticed stray cats teaching their kittens
how to jump up under the night lights to catch
moths and other insects.
The urge to help them overcame her and
her desire to do this grew from idea to
implementation. With husband Dave at her
side, evenings for the next two-and-a-half
years were spent trapping strays.
It was evident that the colony of cats at the
refuse centre would have a better quality of life
if TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) was implemented,
so they did, personally paying for the neutering.
The result was a stabilised cat population and a
decline in the rodent population.
The kittens were socialised by foster-cat-carers
in the community, then adopted out, while the
mature cats were returned back to the centre
or their original territory. The Whangamata Cat
Adoption Team (CAT) was established!
After Ginga escaped from the car
while en route to a new family home,
he had to fend for himself seeking
food and love. Over two years later,
a Whangamata resident succumbed
to his pleading meows, and realising
he must be a lost family pet,
contacted WCAT, who collected him
and posted his photo on Facebook.
Ginga’s distinctive nose freckle was
soon recognised. “The following
day the family came for him. It was
a really emotional reunion for all of
us,” Victoria said. “They told me
Ginga didn’t leave the couch for
three days and purred non-stop with
‘catitude-gratitude’.”
The realisation of the massive amount they’d
spent neutering (117 cats to date) dawned
on the couple, so in late 2016 ‘Kitschy Cat’
was born. The vintage-themed shop directs
100% of net proceeds to fund rescues, colony
care, and neutering assistance within the
Whangamata community.
Described by Victoria as “Absolutely
Shabulous”, Kitschy Cat’s eclectic range of
new and used goods includes retro furniture,
art and collectibles, and all things kitsch.
Located on Casement Rd, the shop is run
by volunteers. “It’s a labour of love for all of
us – no one gets paid,” said Victoria, “and
we encourage supporters to donate their
unwanted and surplus goods so CAT can
continue this work.”
Victoria condones the feeding of stray cats, but
not their breeding. “Many of them are simply
lost family pets like Ginga.” (See below.)
To donate goods, adopt a cat or volunteer,
call in or check the Whangamata CAT
Facebook page to see the rescue cats, post
lost and found notices, and get a preview of
new ‘kitschy’ stuff for sale.
When Victoria
founded the
Whangamata Cat
Adoption Team (CAT),
(to the shock of USA
designer Jeff Fisher)
she offered to licence
and pay royalties for
use of his adorable cat logo.
A winner of many international graphics awards,
it was also Jeff’s most ripped-off creation.
“There was no doubt what I would do”, he said.
“No one had even asked permission before.
Plus Victoria was personally involved in a cause
in which I strongly believe, and she lived in a
town in NZ with the cool name of ‘Whangamata’.
Within a week, we had an agreement.”
About the WCAT logo...
I WAs losT...
but now I’ve
been found!
Kitschy Cat’s
trés classy
displays are a
delightful treat!
Kitschy Cat -
This cat-themed shop offers quality of
life to Whangamata’s kitties
Above: Rescue cat ‘Spirit’ with purrfect reading
material. Wai-Lin Terry’s, ‘
Kitty Karma’
seeks
to elevate the lives and welfare of abandoned,
homeless, ill and disabled cats. Proceeds from
book sales benefit three cat charities, Il Gattaro in
Syria, Abaykitties in Hawaii, and WCAT.
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COROMANDEL LIFE 2018 WINTER/EARLY SPRING