MSGID: 1:18/200 5d93587d   
   CHRS: IBMPC 2   
   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   
      
   --- GoldED/2 3.0.1   
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