Lismore is losing one of its biggest defenders of feline friends. Lucinda Dyason, until very recently the owner of Pets and Saddles and pet rescue advocate, is moving to a cottage near Wynyard in Tasmania.

After visiting 26 years ago, Lucinda always planned to go back. The plan for now is semi-retirement and enjoying the cooler climate and beautiful Tasmania coastline.

“I'm going to miss it up here, and it hurts that I can't keep helping the Lismore animals," Lucinda told the Lismore App.

“I've bought three acres that's all fenced. I’m currently having a cattery built for my cats because there are about 15 cats coming with me."

“I don't have any set plans. Apart from spending a couple of months contemplating my navel and getting over 24 years of seven-day-a-week work and intensive rescue.”

Lucinda always had an interest in animals, but formally changed careers 24 years ago when she bought Pets and Saddles.

“I immediately started rescue work along with the shop, so we didn't sell purpose bred animals. 

“We always did rescue animals right down to guinea pigs, rabbits, birds and a lot of fish as well. Fish that none of the other shops would accept, and people would dump in the river or put down the toilet.”

This will change now that Pets and Saddles is under new ownership. Natasha Johnson, the new shop owner, will have some birds and fish for sale but is not equipped to take on unwanted animals. They will be able to get pet owners in contact with organisations that can help people with rescue animals.  

Natasha says, “I'll be a pickup drop-off point. So when it’s organised, an animal can be dropped off, or a rescue adopted from here, but we don’t take animals for the shop any longer.” 

Pets and Saddles will still scan microchips on lost animals if it is arranged and they are brought in. Call the shop directly to confirm the timing is good.

The work that Lucinda has done can be understood when she talks about how many cats alone she has saved. “We were accepting about 300 cats a year before the flood. And I was probably saying no to over 2000. And I'm just one rescue.”

Lucinda imparts some important advice on getting a pet, “I think there is very little excuse to give up your animal. You should think very carefully before you take in an animal. Always make sure there's a Plan B because no rental is ever secure.

“And if you're an older person, please don't take a young animal. I won't take a young animal now because I'm not going to be here in 20 years to look after it. I hope I'm here, but I don't know. And cats and dogs can live up to 20, a lot of mine have and been older. 

“So be sensible. Keep cats inside. Be respectful to wildlife and your neighbours. Have a Plan B.”

Despite the work's difficult aspects, Lucinda describes her years at Pets and Saddles as “Wonderful.”

“You know, there were very few mornings where I got up and didn’t want to go to work. There were many mornings in other jobs where I didn't want to go to work - I did, but I didn't want to. I think I've had two sick days in 24 years where I couldn't get up and come to work.”

Lucinda appreciates the people she has met who have added to her experience. “Thank you for the coffees, the lunches, the support, and thank you for not being grumpy when I'm grumpy,” she says. Lucinda qualifies that frustrations can sometimes linger after the reasons have left the shop.

Two of the Pets and Saddles resident workers will be staying in Lismore. Fred, the ginger CEO and Rhonda the tabby Quality Assurance Manager, who Lucinda says, “Tastes all the meat that comes in.” These two are very good at making customers feel welcome and will be staying with Natasha at the shop. Undoubtedly, they will be reporting back to Lucinda on occasion.

(Pets and Saddles board meeting hosted by Fred (CEO) and Rhonda (Quality Assurance))

The board have decided to take things as they come with their new partner, Natasha. She has just transitioned from 26 years in childcare and says, “I'm just really excited. I've actually sort of taken over as of Wednesday. 

“It's been really good, and there are some great customers. It's been great working with Lucinda - we're all going to miss her very much, but she's always on the other end of the line. So that's great.”

Lucinda says, “I'll still be keeping in touch with the customers. You make a lot of friends in 24 years of business.”

 Lucinda will be assisting Natasha with the Facebook page, and she will be working at Pets and Saddles to assist her with the transition.  

Feedback from pet owners is always welcome. Lucinda says, “It's an absolute joy when you get nice updates on rescues that we have helped with homes. Some go off, and you never hear about them. You don't know if they've had a long and happy life. It's like a big black hole they disappear into. So when people actually contact you and say ‘I've just lost my cat. It's 19,’ or ‘I want to show you photos of the dog I adopted from you,’ it's just absolutely beautiful. Yeah. It's one of the rewards we get from rescue work.”

Lucinda fears she will be working with her rescues right up until she leaves, “I've got about three months to rehome 20 cats and 4 dogs - 3 small ones, and one shepherd husky cross.”

If you have considered having a pet and have decided it is right for you, contact Lucinda to see if she can provide you with your four legged forever friend.

Contact Lucinda on 0412 966 748 or via the Facebook page, Pets and Saddles and Kats in Traumatic Times Emergency Network, - the longest established pet and aquarium in Lismore, combining K.I.T.T.E.N. Cat rescue!

If you would like to share one of Lucinda’s great cat rescue yarns or want to see her before she leaves, you can catch her at the shop on Thursdays and Fridays until the end of July. 

Pets and Saddles is open:

Mondays - 10am til 3pm

Tuesday to Friday - 10am til 5pm

Saturdays - 10am til 1pm

Ph 02 6622 2571 or 0451 548 664