Cat 'mascot' now a regular

Joey the cat - pictured with the SPCA's Michelle Potter and owners Annie Wihongi and John Davies - follows his people into town each day but only ever visits one store. Photo / Tania Whyte

A Kamo op shop's favourite customer is one who never buys anything and needs to be forcibly removed come closing time.

Cat Joey has become the mascot at Kamo's SPCA Second Chance Shop, where he spends his days sleepily socialising with customers from his favourite chair among the bric-a-brac.

The cat dutifully follows owners John Davies and Annie Wihongi on their almost-daily walks from their Lilian Ave home down to the corner, where he assumes his post at the SPCA shop while they carry on with their shopping.

The visits started when it became clear Joey had no intention of being left out of the family errands, but his owners were concerned he would follow them across the road, so shop manager Michelle Potter offered to look after him.

Six months on he is considered part of the furniture and often visits of his own volition, despite the fact he is never fed at the store.

"I think he just loves the attention. He enjoys the company and just loves people. Some days he'll still be here at 5pm and we have to physically remove him," Ms Potter said.

She was unsure why Joey had taken such a shine to the shop, though said he was a hit with customers.

"Being an SPCA shop, it's just cool that we have a regular visitor who's a cat. He's like our mascot. He's a big handsome black and white fellow with character just oozing out of him."

Mr Davies said Joey had been part of the family since he randomly turned up on their doorstep about three years ago. The couple made multiple attempts to find his owner, but no one ever came forward.

Joey slept inside at night but was always up early to commence his daily routine.

"When Annie and I leave the house he'll come with us us - but only so far," he said.