UpShift Swap Shop: Upshift and Cats Go Hand-In-Hand

Our history with cats goes all the way back to when the original business plan was written in 2009. I wrote the business plan on a cocktail napkin while working my previous corporate job. I knew I needed a change and I decided to create a life based on things I love. So, on that napkin I wrote the words Fashion. Wine. Cats. It's no secret that each of those things are things I love! Fashion and wine are a staple of my adult life. Cats on the other hand have been a part of my life since before I can remember. I was raised by parents that are very compassionate towards all animals (they had a pet crow that they rescued in 2002 that lived peacefully alongside their German Shepard and cat), and so that love of all animals was passed on to us kids. Every cat I've ever had somehow found me, and almost always through rescue sites. The two cats I have now, Cece and Rocky, were both rescue cats.

Cece in front Rocky in back

The idea to open a swap shop that served wine was developed as a concept from that napkin I wrote on in 2009. Additionally, I wanted to have a shop cat in our store. My husband was 100% against the idea, so we compromised and opened the shop with wine, and decided to partner with rescue sights or raise money to assist organizations that help injured or orphaned animals.

One of my staff, Amy Lang, planned an event with Kadlec Ranch Rescue (click here to go to the event site to get all the details) to help raise awareness for what they do. Through planning the event we realized that all of our staff at Upshift have cats that are rescues! So, even though we don't have a shop cat we do have a bunch of people that are compassionate toward cats and their welfare!

Here are a few pics of kitties to make your day just a little bit more fabulous!