Liquor store ends pet thirst
A liquor store in Tokoroa has been quenching the thirst of all its customers - even the four legged ones - with a watering bowl outside for dogs, and the odd horse.
With the warm weather of late Tokoroa Super Liquor has been a busy place but things have decidedly gone to the dogs lately.
Staff at the Bridge St store have set up a dog water bucket outside so that on hot days it’s not just thirsty customers getting a drink. To
encourage sensible drinking, staff also offer snacks, with special doggy treat bags.
Owner Andrew Harvie said customers have responded well to seeing the bucket of water as it means animals are no longer having to be left in hot cars while their owners pop into the shop.
‘‘After seeing dogs stuck in cars the staff just decided to do it themselves and it’s a nice thing to do on a hot day,’’ he said.
‘‘There was also a customer who pulled up on his horse and the staff took a photo which went viral so the horse probably had a drink too.’’
‘‘I’m not sure if people bring their cats into town but they are more than welcome to have a drink as well,’’ he laughed.
Staff member Tracie Walker, who is a self confessed ‘‘animal lover’’, said she’s supplying the doggy treats out of her own pocket while fellow staff member Shontel Marriner came up with the idea of wrapping them in little bags.
Harvie said it’s greatly improved relationships with the store’s customers.
‘‘Looking after the welfare of our customers’ pets has created a lot more interaction with them,’’ he said.
The store’s generosity doesn’t stop there though with a barbecue fundraiser for Ronald Mcdonald House, which provides free accommodation for families who are away from home with a hospitalised child, being held outside the store on Saturday, March 11 from 3pm until 5pm.
Store manager Karlena Whitehead said it was a worthy charity to support as many locals benefited from it.
She said while the store will be providing the sausages for the fundraiser, The Cocacola Company will be provided drinks to sell with all proceeds going to the charity.
Harvie said Putaruru Super Liquor will also be hosting a barbecue fundraiser on the day.