Scratch that: Doreen Van Spanjen and her cat Romeo. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
ROMEO, oh Romeo . . . please stop scratching and get ready for your close-up.
Romeo the cat is one of 12 'models' to grace the pages of Coldstream's Animal Aid shelter's 2013 fund-raising calendar.
The calendar features animals that have been adopted out from the shelter.
This year, the public was able to vote for the most photogenic 'winners'.
Romeo's owner, Doreen Van Spanjen, of Croydon, a volunteer at the shelter since 1997, couldn't resist taking the cat home with her when they crossed paths last year.
"All the good-looking ones and young ones were being adopted and Romeo had been left behind.
"He didn't have a purr until about six months after I adopted him."
Animal Aid's manager, Deborah Boland, said Romeo came third in the competition and would be the cover star for January.
People were required to spend $1 per vote. Animal Aid has since raised more than $12,500 without yet having sold a single calender.
The organisation hopes to raise more than $20,000 to subsidise its support services.
To pre-book a calendar, call 9739 0300.