Maureen O’Connor didn’t move to North Carolina to groom cats. That is, however, what happened. A New Jersey native, Maureen moved south due to her job with a utility company. It’s been 15 years since she relocated.
Six years ago – when one of her cats started matting – she knew professional grooming was necessary. The realization caused a career change.
“I took him to a groomer, but it was a dog groomer,” Maureen, noting she couldn’t find a groomer for cats, said. “It was a horrific experience. After that, I had to teach myself how to do it.”
Through online lessons, she, ultimately, became certified as a master groomer. On July 9 of last year, she opened The Catty Shack in Southern Pines.
“The response has been amazing,” Maureen said. “It has spread by word of mouth. It’s the best marketing out there.”
Given that many people think cats are constantly grooming, the response to the salon shows a level of understanding in the community.
“Cats lick themselves, but they do not groom themselves,” Maureen advised. “There’s a real need for it.”
The Catty Shack only services cats. Right now, most of the customers come from Carthage, Pinehurst and Southern Pines.
“They’re my biggest supporters,” Maureen said.
In terms of grooming, matting is a common problem for cats.
“The biggest grooming issue cats face is matting of their coat,” Maureen said. “It can actually happen with short-haired cats.”
A visit to The Catty Shack can remedy the situation.
“When they see the transformation, it blows people away,” Maureen, who majored in marketing at Rutgers University, said.
The Ragdoll, a cat popular among Moore County residents, is a breed in need of professional assistance.
“They require regular grooming,” Maureen said. “A lot of people don’t know this. They have a triple coat.”
Grooming a cat may not seem hazardous for the person doing the work. That’s not how it is. A process must be followed to avoid injury.
“The hardest part is doing nails,” Maureen said. “That’s the first thing you do.”
While rinsing cats – to many people – would seem like it would be a challenge, it’s not necessarily the case.
“Cats love water,” Maureen said.
Indoor cats, with caring and attentive owners, are more likely to see a groomer and avoid other dangers. Outdoor cats, specifically those that are feral or stray, aren’t in the same position.
Maureen revealed some threats that cats exposed to the outside world face, one of which is the use of poison to control rodents.
“I’ve had a confrontation with a guy who was shooting cats with a BB gun,” she said. “Humans are so cruel to cats.”
Unlike stray cats, feral cats have limited interactions with humans. Because strays once lived in a home, they have an interest in people. Although feral cats might be on the small side – provided a person isn’t leaving them food – they hunt to survive. Having only lived outdoors, they seem comfortable with their environment.
However a cat lives, wherever a cat lives, Maureen pointed out that no two are the same.
“Each cat has a different personality,” she said.
The Catty Shack is located at 1050 N May Street. It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call 910-208-4677 or visit them online.
Feature photo: Maureen O’Connor, owner of The Catty Shack in Southern Pines. Contributed photograph.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
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