Pet people take a break

Today will be the last day Ma Barker’s will be officially in the hands of Nick and Carolyn Harding, who have owned the business for 19 years.

The couple has sold the business to a Cowra family and have decided to take a long-awaited break.

Ben the cockatoo, who has been the shop’s resident pet for almost 19 years, will be going to the Harding’s home to live.

Ms Harding said Ben, who turns 19 this Christmas, was really part of the family. Both her sons had spent a lot of time growing up in the shop and around Ben.

For Ms Harding, the change means she will be able to spend more time with her family, including her two sons aged eight and 14.

“I’m going to be a full-time mum for the first time ever,” she said.

Ms Harding said she had worked six days a week since she left school and started working full-time. She has always worked in the animal care industry including

veterinary nursing, dog grooming, boarding kennels and zoo-keeping.

Ms Harding said that when they first purchased the business, she used to run the shop on her own. However the business had grown so much that both she and Mr Harding worked full-time and employed three full-time staff.

“We have loved every minute of being here,” Ms Harding said. “We are going to miss the animals. We are going to miss the customers.”

Mr Harding said it was going to be very difficult leaving the shop behind, but it would be nice to have a rest.

The couple was involved with the Pet Industry Association Australia for many years, with Mr Harding in the role of vice-president of PIAA national committee at one stage and a committee member for four years.