Reader's Digest Australia Dec/Jan 2025

SAMANTHA MORELLI T he most beloved fixture at our hardware store isn’t a tool or piece of equipment—it’s our cat, Cinder. Initially, an employee brought in his cat, Lewis, to rid the store of mice that had snuck in with the birdseed. Lewis so cheered employees and customers (if not the mice) that he stayed permanently. When his owner retired, Lewis did too, and we knew we needed another shop cat. So we rescued Cinder from a shelter and Cinder the Hardware Cat brought her to live here, sometimes calling her Cinderblock or Cinderella. She isn’t exactly a house cat, so the store is a perfect mix of safety and free- dom. She greets customers, curls up on the counter and plays underneath shopping carts, but slinks away if she’s feeling antisocial. We keep a tracker in her collar so we always knowwhere she is, and we post signs alerting visitors to her presence. For her fans, Cinder is the first thing they look for, hoping she’ll greet them before they carry on with their shop- ping. Some come by just to pet her, even if they don’t need to buy anything. —Nominated by samantha morelli Nothing gets by Cinder when she is on watch. Is your pet the cat’s pajamas? submit your story to letters@ readersdigest. com.au reader ’ s digest World of Good 16   december 2025/january 2026  |   readersdigest.com.au SMART ANIMALS All cats are at risk of heatstroke and dehydration when the temperature rises. One of the simplest ways to add some extra H2O to your cat’s daily intake is to mix a teaspoon or two into their wet food, stir it in and they’ll happily lap it up! Keep your kitty cool this Summer Cool places for catnaps: Make sure your kitty has access to the coolest parts of the house, like your bathroom or laundry, so they can stretch out on the cool tiles. Your cat may also find a damp towel on the tiles a pleasant place to take a catnap on hot days. Another place for enjoying catnaps in theheat is inanelevatedcat bed, ventilation makes all the difference and air flow underneath keeps your cat cooler. Hydration stations: Ever noticed your kitty taking a sip from your glass of water? While you may not be so keen on sharing, cats prefer fresh water, so refilling water bowls daily during the summer is a great way to make sure their water is always topped up and tempting. It’s also a good idea to offer more than one water source for your cat – look at their favourite places to catnap during the day and think of placing a water bowl close by. Many cats love running water, so summer is a great time to invest in a drinking fountain to encourage their water intake. Brushing: The main way cats keep cool is by grooming themselves, spreading saliva throughout their fur which then evaporates and cools the surface of their coat and helps keep their body temperature down. You can lend a hand. Brushing your cat is not only a wonderful way to combat all the tumbleweeds of fur floating around the house it’s an easy way to help your cat beat the summer heat. For more information, advice and assistance on cat care and everything feline, visit www.catprotection.org.au or call us on (02) 9557 4818