Last year, I had the fun of writing a Tail End column about Pip the Beach Cat, an orange-and-white tabby who made a name for himself giving high-fives (high-paws?) to beachgoers on the Maryland coast. Pip’s human mom, Emily, has turned his knack for making friends into a force for good. Pip has visited nursing homes, hospitals, schools, Easterseals and Worcester County Developmental Center.
Noticing that there seem to be so many specialty dog boutiques and smaller cat sections in pet stores, Emily decided to change that. Pip is now the inspiration behind Pip the Beach Cat’s Kitten Emporium, a brick-and-mortar treasure trove of all things cat that opened last August. Humans can shop for treats, toys, freshly grown catnip and cat grass for their feline friends, as well as cat-themed hats, totes and shirts for themselves. And, of course, Pip’s own books are available at this Ocean Beach shop. Best of all, Pip continues the tradition of helping others with a kitten fostering program. Once kittens have their shots, they spend the day playing at the store and then go home with Pip and Emily at night. “It gets the kittens great exposure to get them adopted,” Emily says.
Learn more about Pip and his store at pipthebeachcat.com.
