Australian pet brand Kazoo has expanded its cat range with Squat Club—a line of low-dust, eco-aware, and pet-safe litters designed for superior odour control, low tracking, and easy scooping.

Every purchase also supports local cats in need through the Kazoo Cares initiative, providing product donations, foster packs, and support to Australian cat rescues and shelters.

Explore the New Squat Club Range

1. Fast Clumping Clay (Lavender & Unscented)

• Best for: Tight clumping and quick scooping
• Sizes: 5kg | 12kg
• Features: Made from purified bentonite clay that forms tight, solid clumps the moment moisture hits—no crumbling or sludge. It is 99% dust-free, hypoallergenic, soft on paws, and offers natural odour control with low tracking.

2. Plant-Powered Flushable (Fresh Scent & Unscented)

• Best for: Eco-conscious homes and flushable convenience
• Sizes: 2.5kg | 4.6kg
• Features: A lightweight, biodegradable blend of corn starch and green pea fibre that clumps fast and firm using natural starches and guar gum. Infused with zeolite minerals to capture and neutralise ammonia at the source rather than just masking it. Fully flushable and gentle on paws.

3. Deep Clean Eco Charcoal

• Best for: Multi-cat homes and maximum odour control
• Sizes: 2.5kg | 4.6kg
• Features: The range’s ultimate odour powerhouse combining tofu, activated carbon, and bicarbonate of soda. Activated carbon and zeolite trap ammonia molecules before they can escape, while bicarb neutralises acidic odours on contact. Flushable, eco-conscious, and built for strong smells.

Price & Where to Buy

• RRP: From $12.99 for Fast Clumping Clay, $15.99 for Plant-Powered Flushable, and $19.99 for Deep Clean Eco Charcoal.
• Available at: Major online pet retailers, specialty boutique pet stores, and select warehouse clubs across Australia.

Shop or Learn More: www.kazoo.com.au

Follow Kazoo: https://www.instagram.com/kazoopet | https://www.facebook.com/kazoopet

About Kazoo

Kazoo is a second-generation family business that has been active in the pet industry for 17 years. In that time, they’ve grown one of the most loyal and engaged cat communities in the Australian & New Zealand market, thanks to their premium range of high-quality cat furniture pieces, toys, and consumables.

Image credits: Courtesy of Kazoo Pet Co

The Incredible 11-Year Journey of a Lost Ginger Cat

After more than ten years of waiting, searching, and wondering, Melbourne cat owner Jessica finally received the phone call that mended her broken heart. Her beloved ginger cat, Mufasa, was alive, safe, and waiting to be reunited with his family at the Lort Smith Adoption Centre.

A Vanishing Act in Thomastown

Adopted as an eight-week-old kitten, Mufasa was an affectionate indoor-outdoor cat who always came home every night. But in August 2015, at just two years old, he stepped outside his family's home in Thomastown and never returned.

Jessica searched tirelessly for days—walking nearby parks, calling his name, and contacting local councils, rescue organisations, and animal shelters, including Lort Smith. Despite years of holding onto hope, the trail went cold.

"I thought someone might have stolen him because he had such beautiful markings, or maybe he'd been hit by a car," Jessica recalled. "As the years went by, I thought he'd died."

Living Undercover in an Industrial Site

Where had Mufasa been all this time? As it turns out, part of the mystery has been solved.

For years, Mufasa had been living around a nearby industrial site. A local woman named Laura and her husband noticed the friendly stray and began leaving food out for him, slowly earning his trust. Eventually, Laura brought him to the Lort Smith Adoption Centre in Campbellfield, hoping to officially adopt him into their home.

"My husband had been feeding him after he slowly gained his trust," Laura explained. "We were devastated to learn he already had a family, but so happy he'd finally found his way home."

The Call That Changed Everything

When shelter staff scanned the cat, Mufasa's microchip immediately brought up Jessica’s contact details. Almost 11 years after he first went missing, Jessica's phone rang.

"They asked if I'd had a ginger cat named Mufasa that went missing. I said, 'Yeah... about a decade ago.' They said they had him and I just couldn't believe it. I kept asking, 'Are you sure?'"

When Jessica arrived at the Campbellfield adoption centre, the emotional reality set in: "I kept thinking, 'Is this real?' Then they brought him out and I thought, 'Oh my God, he still looks like my baby.'"

Settling Back Into Family Life

Although slightly hesitant at first, Mufasa quickly remembered his old life. Within days, he was back to his chatty self, rubbing against legs for pats and responding to his old family nickname, "Mufasy."

The reunion brought a whole new level of joy to Jessica's household. Her children, who weren't even born when Mufasa disappeared, have fallen completely in love with their new furry family member. Every morning, they rush to say good morning to Mufasa.

The Unbeatable Power of the Microchip

Mufasa’s remarkable story serves as a powerful reminder of why pet identification is so essential. As Lort Smith Adoption Centre Manager Mandy Doolan emphasised, keeping microchip details current is the single most effective way to protect your pet.

"Microchips give lost pets the best chance of finding their way home, no matter how much time has passed," said Doolan. "The power of the microchip simply cannot be underestimated."

However, scanning a chip is only the first step in bringing a stray home safely. If your pet ever wanders off, knowing what to do when a microchipped cat goes missing can dramatically increase your chances of a swift reunion—ensuring your contact details are updated across national registries so shelters like Lort Smith can make that miraculous call.

How You Can Help Other Lost & Shelter Cats

1. Update Your Pet's Microchip: Take five minutes today to double-check that your current phone number and address are registered with your national pet registry. It’s the ultimate lifeline home!

2. Adopt or Foster a Rescue: Not every cat gets a decade-later miracle. Give a deserving stray or homeless cat a second chance at a happy, loving life by visiting your local shelter —like Lort Smith— or rescue group this weekend!

Upload Your Favourite Kitty's Photo to Save Human Lives

It takes $39 to answer a life-saving phone call, $3,500 to train a single volunteer crisis supporter, and this August, purr-fect pussies across the region are stepping up to help cover the bill—one paw at a time.

Lifeline Loddon Mallee has officially launched its 2026 Lifeline Cat of the Year photo competition and fundraiser. Running throughout the month of August, the initiative turns the unconditional love and comfort we share with our feline friends into crucial support for Aussies doing it tough.

While the contest is light-hearted and fun, the financial reality for the local charity is serious.

Lifeline Loddon Mallee receives no direct federal government funding and relies on community generosity to cover 80% of its operating costs.

Last year alone, local volunteer crisis supporters answered more than 22,000 calls on the 13 11 14 national hotline from people experiencing anxiety, loneliness, relationship stress, and moments of acute crisis.

“The campaign celebrates the positive impact pets have on their owner’s mental health, while raising awareness and funds for Lifeline Loddon Mallee’s crisis support and suicide prevention services,” said Lifeline Loddon Mallee CEO Lisa Renato.

“We know there is a special bond between Aussies and their cats, so this is a fun and meaningful way for cat lovers to celebrate the quiet, healing presence of their furry family members while helping a great local cause.”

Top Cats Already Leading the Pack

Local kitties are already filing their "pawsome resumes" online to compete for the crown. Early contenders making waves include:

• Cleo: A gentle rescue Tabby currently ruling the leaderboard.
• Felix the Desk Cat: A local work-from-home companion and regular guest on local radio livestreams.
• Coco the Ragdoll: A floofy princess with attitude, charisma, and a serious swagger.
• Milo: A 10-year-old ginger tom whose favourite thing is soaking up the sun on the verandah and supervising his humans.

Rewards for Furry Fundraisers

Entries are completely free, and your cat doesn't even have to leave their favourite sunspot to make a difference. Owners simply register their kitty online, upload a favourite snap, share their fundraising profile, and collect tax-deductible donations (for amounts over $2) from friends, family, and fellow cat lovers.

To thank participants, Lifeline is offering fantastic milestone rewards:

✔ $100 Raised: Earns an exclusive, custom-engraved "Lifeline Superstar 2026" collar tag personalised with your cat's name.

✔ $250 Raised: Receives a bespoke, hand-crocheted miniature replica of your cat, complete with their very own miniature Lifeline Crisis Supporter headset.

✔ Top Fundraiser: The cat that collects the largest amount of donations will be officially crowned Lifeline Loddon Mallee Cat of the Year 2026 and win an exclusive custom portrait painted by renowned Bendigo artist Rhayven Jane.

In addition to phone support, Lifeline Loddon Mallee delivers practical skills across the region, including Mental Health First Aid, domestic violence awareness, and suicide prevention training.

How to Get Involved

Whether you have a cuddly couch potato or a feisty kitten, you can enter your cat's photo or back a local participant throughout August.

• Enter or Donate: Visit the Lifeline Cat of the Year Competition Page or head to Lifeline Loddon Mallee Events.

• Follow on Facebook: Lifeline Loddon Mallee on Facebook

• Follow on Instagram: @lifelinecatoftheyear on Instagram

Need Support?

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. You don't have to face your toughest moments alone.

🐶 Have a pooch in the family, as well?
Give your dog their moment to shine! Head over to Australian Dog Lover to enter them in the 2026 Lifeline Dog of the Year Photo Contest.