CATWALK THE LATEST FASHION

A HOBART cat shelter is holding a catwalking fundraiser in order to put money in the kitty and give pet owners paws for thought.

The Ten Lives Ten Days Catwalk Challenge involves feline fosters putting leads on their kitties and taking them out for walks around their neighbourhoods.

The catwalk will raise money to provide emergency veterinary care for foster carers during kitten season, which is now in full swing. Ten Lives manager Noel Hunt said the centre also hoped to hammer home the message cats should not be left to roam unattended, especially at night.

Mr Hunt said cats should be kept indoors, lest they kill native wildlife, mate with stray cats or get injured while outdoors.

“We encourage people to consider containing their cat or, if not, at least curfewing them,” Mr Hunt said.

“That way, we’ve got a happy cat, a happy community and a happy environment.”

Instead, Mr Hunt is an advocate for taking cats out for walks on a leash, and does so himself with cat Lilly.

He said it does require a little patience, which is why he takes a book or a beer with him whenever he takes Lilly out for a stroll.

He said catwalking is the new trend, having seen an increase in cat harnesses at the Ten Lives retail shop.

Jim, who asked for his last name not to be published, will be taking on the catwalking challenge with his foster cat, Jezebel.

Jezebel takes Jim out for walks several times a day, and the pair can be found meandering around their neighbourhoods on sunny days.

Jim said he “frequently” gets questions from people walking by, many of whom have never seen a cat on a leash before.

“I get a range of responses. People are excited, confused, concerned for whether she wants to be out there, but I can assure them that when we’re at home she’s often at the backdoor scratching, wanting to go out,” Jim said.

“Mostly I follow her wherever she goes.”