Furry friends’ helping hand

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
WAREHOUSE Antics owner Deb Houghton is lending a hand, and a bit of wall space, to help raffle a painting to raise funds for the Chum Creek Wildlife Shelter.
Ms Houghton opened her Healesville shop in April. She said it was a mix of “funky, useful, stylish stuff”. Ms Houghton was keen to support the shelter.
“People don’t realise just how much it takes to look after a wombat,” she said.
Kalorama artist Andrew Hawes painted the watercolour of a ring-tailed possum and donated it to help raise funds. Ms Houghton will be hanging the picture in her shop until the end of July, when the raffle will be drawn. Tickets will be sold for $2, or three for $5.
Wildlife carer Belinda Gales said she had more than just a wombat to care for at the moment.
“The inside nursery is full. We also have a baby kangaroo and a baby echidna,” she said.
Ms Gales said the electricity costs looked to be around $1000 for winter heating.
“Not everybody can donate large amounts all the time, but this is a small raffle that’s only a few dollars and a chance to win a beautiful painting.”
Warehouse Antics is open from 11am to 4pm, Thursday to Sunday during winter.