Jun 30, 2013

Okoboji Gift Shop Shelters all Kinds of CatsBy Ally KarsynSiouxCityJournal.com

Okoboji, IA – The Barn Swallow Gift Shop swooped into a new location some twenty-odd years ago, and the store owner started her kitten-saving campaign almost immediately after making the move.

Lori Thomas has a soft spot for the purring pets, and she’s doing her part to educate the public and prevent animal cruelty. One corner of her Okoboji store serves as a short-term shelter for unwanted and abandoned cats, waiting for someone to take them home.

“I just try to help,” Thomas said. “I’m not making money selling kittens.”

The felines can be found among a maze of novelty items, wall art, home décor, books, clocks, greeting cards and clothes.

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