Harris

5 Catfluencial Stories From 2023

(Images via Raymond Hall/Getty Images, Getty Images, and Mariska Hartigay/IG)

2023 was another year of amazing cat stories! Here are some of our favorites (in no particular order):

1. Actress Mariska Hargitay Names Her Cat Karma to Honor Taylor Swift

A "full circle" moment occurred when Law and Order SVU actress, Mariska Hartigay, posted about her new cat named Karma, named after Taylor Swift. For those who don't know, Taylor got a cat in 2014 and named her Olivia after Hartigay's character in SVU, Olivia Benson.

(Mariska Hartigay/IG)

2. Stevenage Railway cat Nala Cat Goes Viral at Stevenage Railway in UK

Nala, a special cat that made a busy Stevenage railway station her second home has been delighting UK commuters with her adventures.

(Adventures of Nala)

3. Sarah Jessica Parker Adopts Cat Featured in 'And Just Like That'

Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker's character in 'And Just Like That', a sequel to 'Sex In The City', adopts a cat named Shoe. Then, SJP adopted the cat IRL and named him Lotus!

(Sarah Jessica Parker/IG)

4. Goose from ‘The Marvels’ Takes Over Las Vegas Sphere

Goose, the cat-like alien creature that appeared in Captain Marvel and returned in The Marvels, towered over the Las Vegas skyline on the outside of the recently-opened Sphere.

(Autodesk/Marvel promo on Sphere AD RENDERING IMAGE COURTESY OF THE MILL)

5. Service Cat Zebby Who Hears for Deaf Owners Named UK National Cat of the Year

Zebby, a special cat who helps his deaf owner, 66-year-old Genevieve Moss, around the house was named Cats Protection’s National Cat of the Year 2023. He supports her by alerting her to noises like the phone ringing or a guest at the door.

(Lucy Ray/PA)

by Harris

Mina’s Cancer Treatment & Fundraiser: Basosquamous Carcinoma

Written By: Abbey Kawanishi

Hi everyone. My name is Abbey Kawanishi and I am in need of some help with my cat Mina, who has been recently diagnosed with cancer.

She is 3 years old and my absolute pride and joy and her treatment is something that I am struggling to pay for. I have just graduated from Indiana University and started a new job in Indianapolis, so the timing of her diagnosis has been difficult for me to afford.

He has undergone 2 different surgeries to remove lumps on her arm which have been biopsied and diagnosed as basosquamous carcinoma with angiolymphatic invasions, meaning that it has the potential to aggressively spread to her lymph nodes throughout her body.

I am still finding out more information, but my options include radiation if the cancer spreads or amputation of her whole arm. As treatment options are extremely expensive and unaffordable for me to complete, I am graciously asking for anyone who would be interested in donating to help my sweet Mina.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated and used for Mina to live the best possible life that she can. I would be so grateful if you could spread the word of this unfortunate news and help me raise $5,000.

Prayers and shares are just as important as donations. Thank you all for your love and support in advance.

GoFundMe Donation Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/minas-cancer-treatment

by Harris

Pet Adorations: Learning to love, grow, cherish, & build empathy for them in our lives

Written By: Jiawen, the mom of "@thepurrpawsbros"

Introduction to Jiawen

Hi there! Many people may know us and others maybe new to knowing us, but we are thepurrpawsbros also known as thepowerpuffboys (Milo, Leo and Pablo). This month we wanted to share our story onto Catfluence blog to talk a little bit about the growth and love we should truly have for our pets and the shared feelings that builds and creates as our pets grow and bond with us throughout our lives.

But before I jump into that, I would like to do a small little self-introduction (the mom) of whose behind thepurrpawsbros. So my name is Jiawen (as some know me already for those who follow us) and I live in Toronto, On. If one wonders what made me get into the concern or interest in the wellbeing of my cats, my answer to that is I’ve ALWAYS loved animals so it doesn’t just lay within cats.

However, my career path did not head towards that way for many reasons because my love and passion is also driven by art and design. So I work in the financial industry, and I’m a senior digital designer, and I’m also an entrepreneur for my own side business where I help companies and small business brand their brands through brand development and execution. All that to me with the mix of loving animals, art, and design I see that as a cohesive balance in life where it creates a melody and balance in finding the worth and value to keep moving forward and building inspiration.

Introduction to @thepurrpawsbros

Now enough about me, as a kick-off, I think I would like to give a little bit of an introduction to my kitties.

Milo he is a black and white cat who just turned 10 (whose a mix of domestic shorthair and snowshoe cat) also known as tuxedo cat. My eldest one is named Leo and he’s going to turn 12 soon! (yes he’s pretty much hitting into his late senior years) and he is a mix of domestic shorthair, European shorthair, and bengal cat all together) which makes him extremely vocal and loud when he shouldn’t need to be! Last but not least my newsiest little addition that came into the family during the pandemic (and you would assume he is a pandemic kitty, BUT he isn’t!) his name is Pablo and he JUST turned 2 this year (and he is a mix of Abyssinian cat, Bengal cat and domestic short hair cat all together!),

Now you may ask “how can you know what mixed breed a cat has by just looking at them?” well here’s how. I did spend some money in doing a DNA test for them with BasePaws (and for those who don’t know they are a cat-kit that tells you the overview of what your cat shares in genetics as well as the breed of which runs in the DNA). This would help us as owners know what underlying conditional health they CAN or MAY have as awareness to ourselves so we aren’t just guessing our cat’s health.

Love, Grow, Bond With, & Cherish Our Pets

Now that you know the 3 bros, maybe now is the time where I should start to share a bit about what I mean by learning to love, grow, bond and cherish with our pets.

For me to start it off here is what I would like you to ask yourself: Do you tend to cry when an animal dies? Do you get angry when you hear about a dog dying in a hot car, yet scroll by that story of the woman who died in a car accident? If so, you’re not alone. The reason why we ALL want to care and love for our pets (whether it’s cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, etc….) is because we all have that strong empathy among us and that’s a very complex emotion for us as humans.

But here is something that you may even ask more, why is it so easy to generate empathy for suffering animals rather than having that large contributor to a growing lack of empathy for others?

This is because we (as pet parents) have that acquired natural affection in us that we feel for our pets like how it would feel for our own children. We impulsively want to care for them, and desire to help them because they are unable to easily help themselves. So if we take that kind of empathy, feeling, and love that we have towards them and allow ourselves to just observe the things they are in need of, I think emotionally and mentally our pets (cats or dogs) will start to grow this unconditional love towards us.

Importance of Cat Nutrition

That being said this kind of unconditional love and empathy we have towards them should also be shown towards the care we give them from the food we provide and feed them.

Any parent can’t simply just say you love them unconditionally, have so much anxiety and feeling towards them, but choose not to give our children the best possible healthiest food so that they can grow up to be healthy but instead just feed them with junk food, McDonald's, fast food and take out, I’m sure if you were to ask yourself that, you wouldn’t do that right?

This same kind of love and unconditional love should also be applied to our furbabies. Whether one has the budget or not (depending on the amount), try to make the best of it by seeing what works within your budget. For me, the transition HAD to be necessary after realizing the health diagnostic that was done on Leo and this took me and my partner to spend around $600+ for us to realize that we HAD to take their food consumption seriously. I was also once a pet mama that didn’t know much better, but to feed our furbabies those food brands you’d find on the shelf.

I also did fall into the trap of buying kibbles that I saw on commercials like Go Solutions, and Blues thinking they were doing all the good to help our pets. This is where I started to grow with them, when I realized cheaping out on food and not give the best they are supposed to consume or spending that money towards the vet where we would be dictated in how we should take care of our furbabies can result in us spending beyond $600 for his future health (that would mean medication, examination, consultation etc.).

So here are some suggestions I would like to give to all FUR parents out there (whether it’s small or big pets you have) please do always ask questions to those brands that you are purchasing whether they are commercial brands you find on the shelf or those brands you find in a boutique pet store. Always see what is beneficial to your pets and what they are SUPPOSED to eat rather than what they fill inside (wet or kibble) the ingredients. If you look at the back of the ingredients in most of the brand products you buy, almost half of those ingredients you have no clue what they are or what it even benefits to our pets.

Cat Food Brands

Here are some cat food brands that I personally know I would not purchase (because I have done my research with them) would be Purina (because they contain grain example corn gluten meal that most cats are allergic to), Royal Canin (most of their kibbles contains a lot of carbohydrates which is not good because cats do need meaty food and fatty acids), Blue Buffalo – so I thought they were REALLY good in the beginning until I started to understand what it contains (it contains propylene glycol, Carrageenan, which can lead to diseases and most of it doesn’t smell that good and it doesn’t have much gravy which cats need at least 65% moisture to keep them hydrated) and the last few which I don’t think I need to explain much on would be Iams and Whiskas (this would include temptations as their treat brand).

The BEST alternatives to these that suites the best for our feline friends would be Raw foods. If you have heard all the bad about it that’s because in most of the industrial commercial cat food, they HAVE to profit from these kibbles, but cats are true domestic carnivores meaning MOST of what they eat needs to be 100% meat! So, for cats in particular, a switch from a highly processed, carbohydrate-heavy food, to a raw, species-appropriate, meat-based diet without fruits and vegetables, will truly change their health and ultimately their life.

My cats now live on such a balanced diet that has almost close to 0 health issues all due to giving them raw food (from Hungry Hunter) and supplements that are herbal natural droplets (by Pet Wellbeing) and canned food if they would STILL like to have a change in it from (Oven-Baked Traditions) as well as freeze-dried food that we use on top of raw food (from Instinct). These are the brands that make up the BEST health for my cats and this is what keeps me from having a headache about whether they are healthy or not.

If you live in Canada and you are looking for the best brand for Raw food I would say Hungry Hunter has the best Ingredients AND the best variety between flavour of raw food as well as raw food treats (including quail eggs and goat milk). They do also carry amazing supplements such as Progut, Herring Oil, Pumpkin Power and etc at most PetSmart locations and you can also find them at Loblaws and Sobeys. There are raw food ranges for both cat and dog parents so check them out at: hungryhunter.ca

To find out more information about feline and raw food Big Country Raw has an amazing article explaining why switching our cats to raw should be important: https://bigcountryraw.ca/cats-true-domestic-carnivores/

by Harris

One Cat’s Open Heart Turned Into An Ongoing Mission Of Love

Written By: Gwen W. Segal, Wild Serenity Cat Rescue Fund & Because of Jim

You never know what’s going to happen when you open your heart. Sometimes it’s like a surprise that you were never expecting, and other times it’s a pain that you thought you could handle but couldn’t. No two relationships are alike and all of them end one way or another. The only thing that I know for sure is that if you never open your heart, then you can never have any kind of relationship.

I know blah blah blah. I was not ready to open my heart to another animal yet. I was getting there, but I still had it in my head that it would be on my terms. I would do the choosing. I was thinking of adopting a dog. It had been years since Coal, our wonderful black lab died and now that we didn’t have anyone with whom we had to stay home for, I thought a dog would be easier to travel with. Not that I did much traveling, but my mother was getting up there in years and Nick and I had not visited her together since 2005. We could bring a dog to visit her and to Miami to visit Nick’s mom. Traveling with a cat is much more difficult. It didn’t matter, anyway. Nick wasn’t ready for another fur kid. Our first turned out to be our oldest, and she died in 2019. We just needed more time.

Sometimes you just don’t get a choice. You might be thinking “You always have a choice” but it’s not that easy.

Jim was a cat. When he first showed up, at the beginning of 2020 while the country was going into lockdown, he set us on a path that would change our lives.

We started calling him Idiot. It actually really fit him, but I couldn’t take him to the vet and say “Hi, this is Idiot,” so Nick named him Jim. He was still an idiot. He was also FIV positive. Chances were that sooner rather than later he was going to die. When he did, we probably wouldn’t know for sure. He would just stop coming over for breakfast, and dinner, and he wouldn’t be around for roast beef at 8 pm. He would just vanish the same way he appeared.

The thing is, he loved us first. He ran right up to us and marked us with his body. He came running into the house to eat, but then cried when we closed the door and asked him to get comfortable. He couldn’t get comfortable, and he couldn’t stay with us all the time because he didn’t know how to use a litter box, and he didn’t want to learn. When he needed to go, he needed to go outside. At least he knew enough to ask. We got him fixed, and he still came back. I took him back to the vet for his boosters, and he showed up the next day like nothing had happened. He was slowly becoming our cat. I even got him to use the litter box, but he did not want to live in the house full-time. We started having sleepovers, and in the morning when Nick left for work, Jim would leave too.

I had hope though. That was my mistake. I had hope; that he would want to stay in the house where he could be safe and cared for. I had hope; that we could keep him healthy for a good long while. My hopes were shattered when I found Jim in the middle of our road. He had been hit by a car. What came next was nothing I could have predicted.

Nick and I set out on a mission to at least TNR all the rest of the cats that Jim had left behind in a small colony that was growing at the head of our road. Over the next nine months, we ended up rescuing, fostering, and acting as an adoption agency for 17 cats and kittens.

When we thought we had successfully prevented the colony from turning into an uncontrollable clowder, I had time to reflect on the experience and decided to write a book about all of it and especially how COVID made things even harder. I decided to use the royalties for the book to help other organizations that do a much better job of TNR, cat rescue, fostering, and adoption than we ever could. I also started a blog called Because of Jim.

The fund, Wild Serenity Cat Rescue Fund, is used to endow organizations that do good work, and it also helps to pay for the medical expenses of cats and kittens whose needs we have become aware of. To date, we have been able to write checks to Saving Graces 4 Felines in Greenville NC; they were instrumental in helping us find homes for the first 10. We have also helped with medical expenses for five kittens who were dumped at our vet’s office, help Ginger’s Petfood Pantry in Florida, and Meowland Rescuary in PA. The fund uses royalties, adoption fees, and donations to pay what we can. We are very small and the checks we write are not very large, but we are doing want we can with want we have. Unfortunately, the needs of abandoned, neglected, and surrendered animals are great. Contributing to pet food pantries help keep animals in their homes, and that is the first step to keeping them off the street.

Because of Jim we are still rescuing cats and doing whatever we can to help the companion animals who seem to fall through the cracks. We try to educate people as well as fund these precious animals. If you are interested in our story and want to know more, our book, Because of Jim the Story of 17 Rescues in the Height of COVID is available on Amazon.

by Harris

Traveling With Pets Tips: A How-To Guide on Vacations with Your Cat or Dog

Written By: Arslan Hassan

Going for a family vacation? Don't forget your four-legged companion. Canines and felines are as much part of your family as other people and need a holiday, too.

But not all pets are accustomed to traveling. While some pets are born world travelers and become great travel buddies, others are ready to run off the bridge any minute they get the chance.

Hence, to keep the trip safe and fun for everyone, we assembled a guide to ensure a fun-packed journey.

Things to do before:

Now that you're done with your packing, location decided, and hotel booked: the next thing to do is give 100% attention to your pet. Buy an ID card for their collar with your name and phone number written on it; adding the hotel name and their phone number is a bonus.

It's better if your pet is microchipped. Make sure the details in the microchip are updated and right. Secondly, take your pet's vaccination card and health certificates with you. In case of an emergency, these will be helpful for other vets to treat your pet.

Pack extra food in case of a change in plans or an emergency. Try not to feed your pets to the fullest before traveling; it can make them nauseous. Lastly, get a crate for your pet. Cats tend to squeeze themselves when nervous, and dogs can be too hard to handle if they're anxious while traveling.

For cats or dogs, anxiety while traveling can lead to some troubles. Therefore, carry them in a carrier. Assure that the carrier size is suitable to sit and stand in. Get the crate at home to familiarize them with it.

If your dog is large in size, switch to a crate. Crates are more sturdily built and ideal for dogs weighing between 70 and 90 lbs. There's much more to learn about a dog and how to handle them. Thankfully, you can find answers to all your concerns on We Love Doodles.

Although many pets are not cut for traveling due to their temperament, illness, or other issues. We recommend you visit your vet to know if your pet is alright with traveling.

Air Travels:

Air travel can be a lot of work for pets, either in the cargo or in the cabin. Following these tips can help your pets ease a little.

• Check if your airline allows pet travel, their charges and if they allow pets in a cabin or cargo.
• Correspond with the airline's pet travel policies. Each airline has its own policies and requires some documents before booking.
• Make sure your crate is airline approved.
• Play with your cat or dog before the flight. So, your pet sleeps throughout the flight.
• Check-in late for the flying. You don't want your pet to wait for hours in the crate.
• You can add some pine shaving or newspaper to the crate. In case of any incident, it will be absorbed.
• Bring your cat's litter box with you. Cats can smell if it's theirs or not.
• Carry some no-noise toys. It will help them without annoying other people.
• Book a direct flight if possible.
• Stay relax. Your pet can sense the tension in you and get anxious. You can frequently pass these buddies treats, too.

Most importantly, check in with their vet for any other necessary medications and if they'll be okay in higher altitudes.

Road Rides:

Road trips are easier to handle than planes. You can go miles according to your pet's tolerance level. Take breaks and keep the journey fun for them.

• Take trial trips. Let your dog sit in the car for hours or go for small rides. The same goes for the cat; let them understand that car rides are safe.
• We know how cinematic it looks, a dog sticking their head out of the car. Well, it's dangerous. Any unexpected obstacle or sudden breaks can cause serious injury. And dust alone can cause allergies.
• An advantage of car rides is frequent breaks. Take a break every 4 hours (at least) for restrooms, food, and stretching.
• Always keep cold water on hand. The last thing you want on a road trip is a dehydrated companion.
• Never leave your pet inside the car. It gets deadly warm inside the car real quick.
• If your pet is in a crate, leave a crack in the window for ventilation.
• Is a crate not an option for your big canine? Go for a car belt.
• While sunscreen is a go-to product for us: the sun can be dangerous for pets, too. A window blind can do the work for you!
• Just like human babies, puppies are unsafe for a front seat. If worse comes to worst, the pressure of airbags is harmful to them. Backseats are far safer.
• Let us not forget the most important thing. Keep an eye on your cat; these tiny paws dart at the first possibility.
• Listening to you sing the whole trip is punishing enough. Avoid loud music as it damages the pet's sensitive ears and increases anxiety.
• Ideally, feed your pets four hours before leaving or a small meal an hour before. Dogs are more likely to have an upset stomach.

Some pets are too scared of traveling, and we suggest you leave them at home with a caretaker or a friend. However, if it is necessary, a prescribed anti-anxiety can save the day.

Train Trips:

Although train trips are uncommon due to their weight and size limits, they are similar to car rides.

• Check with train policies and if your pet is allowed.
• Make your pet familiar with crates as with car rides. Pick up the carrier and roam around the house as practice.
• Cooperate with the staff where you can stop to relieve your pet. Regardless, there are cases where there is no possible stop.

Knowing the rules is as important for pets as for you. As well as; visiting the train station beforehand, the noise there can be terrifying for your pet. See if they get habituated easily.

Conclusion:

Before we wrap this up, here are a few more suggestions; keep a blankie or a beloved toy with your pet, ask your vet how to assess if your pet is getting anxious, and of course, be patient.

Trips can be frightening for pets; try to be patient and considerate of your pet. You can get a thunder shirt to calm your pet's anxiety. Now that you've finally reached your destination: look for pet-friendly places to visit and restaurants to eat at.

Book a hotel that has good pet policies. If some sites are too crowded for a pet or not open for them, search for nearby dog or cat sitters. We tried to make a super easy and helpful guide for you. Use this as a checklist and be 100% ready for your vacation.

(Image Source: Shutterstock)

by Harris

The Accidental Rescue – Air-Rescuing 50+ Cats in Morocco

Written By: Yassine Harouchi & Charin Winker

When I rescued my first cat, my heart spoke to me. I knew that I had stumbled into a mission.

As I look around my home, I see the furry silhouettes of the cats I’ve rescued. The same is true at two other apartments and the vet’s office. As of today, I have more than 50 cats and 1 dog under my care across multiple spaces to ensure they are all safe and comfortable. I know that most people would assume I chose to start a rescue. That was never my intention, though.

Born in France and raised in Morocco, I lived in the United States as a student, before declining a job sponsorship to return to Morocco to work on a business idea I conceived while I was in the United States. My passion was sincere, and I was working hard. Unfortunately, I connected with someone whose intentions turned out to be less than pure. By the time I realized who this person really was, he had defrauded me of more money than I could afford to lose.

In the aftermath of the scam, my father helped me out, encouraging me and giving me a small stipend of $220 monthly, so that I could take my time figuring out my next steps. On February 1st, 2018, I rescued my first cat. I’ll never forget that fateful day. When I rescued my first cat, my heart spoke to me. I knew that I had stumbled into a mission.

Because of my circumstances and because of the cat’s needs, that first rescue was a tough one. The challenges prepared me well for those ahead. The work wasn’t easy, though it was satisfying. To spread love and happiness, by saving a life, I felt uplifted. One cat led to another and to another and another. Cat after cat, I became more skilled at what I was doing, but it quickly became clear to me that the workload would be never-ending. In Morocco, there are so many cats wandering every street and down every alley, that it’s impossible to rescue them all.

As is so often the case for rescuers, especially those operating in high-need areas like Morocco, dedication to my mission came with immense sacrifice. Because there are so many cats at my makeshift rescue, their care requires ten, twelve, fourteen, or even more hours every day and I have invested nearly everything I earn towards their food and medical care. In addition to my parent's home, where my rescue cats occupy a room, I have rented two apartments and occupy space at the vet to provide ample shelter. With so many cats in need, the weight of this task has compounded.

Yet, I need to do what I can. I constantly find cats in critical situations, and I am compelled to do my part to help. Without my intervention, the cats who share my home would have remained on those same streets, their futures uncertain, their next meal never guaranteed. To my core, I yearn to make a difference in these cats’ lives. I want them to feel safe and comfortable. Above all else, I want them to feel loved. I cannot rest while there are so many cats out there who are in need. At least, I cannot rest until I have adopted out the cats who currently share my home.

My initial strategy for my rescues was to adopt them out to homes in Morocco. However, because financial circumstances are so often tight in Morocco, I haven’t found many local people willing to adopt any cats at all. As a result, the number of cats under my care has accumulated. With local options exhausted, I expanded my reach to North America and Europe, and it was only then that I started to get some traction.

This opportunity quickly presented a new challenge: there are no pet relocation service providers based in Morocco. The only feasible way to adopt my rescue cats to new homes in North America and Europe is to cover the travel expenses for both the cats’ and their transporters’. Therefore, to fulfill my mission of getting my rescue cats into homes where they can live long, comfortable, happy lives, I am launching a campaign to raise funds to organize an air-rescue operation.

An air-rescue operation is no small feat and to achieve it I need to connect with more people. I am recruiting American, Canadian, and European families for adoption, welcoming partners and donors to help raise funds to cover all the travel expenses, and searching for volunteers to onboard and safely transport the rescues to their new homes. In addition to being spayed/neutered, all rescues have been vaccinated and have all the necessary blood work to be eligible to travel to the US, Canada, and some of them to Europe. This mission has been more than four years in the making, and my objective is to have all of the cats at my rescue adopted to loving homes by April 2023. This goal is a lofty one, but I am confident that with the help of cat lovers near and far, I can get there.

Rescuing these cats has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I have connected with dozens of these animals, forging relationships with each and every one of them. I have seen how they look to me – relying on me to keep them healthy, to keep them comfortable, to keep them alive. Whenever the exhaustion and the stress becomes overwhelming, I look into the faces of my rescues, and they remind me why I am doing what I was doing. I have dedicated myself to rescuing these cats, and will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that they wind up with families who will look after them and care for them for the rest of their lives.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I appreciate all your support! Together, we can bring more compassion to the world – every day!

For those interested in supporting the air rescue mission, please follow the link below to donate:

• https://fundrazr.com/a28Fg6?ref=sh_5C79u5_ab_4wrARrhKIhX4wrARrhKIhX

Follow @theyasshouse on social media:

• https://linktr.ee/theyasshouse

by Harris

Guys With Cats: Dudes Embracing Their Feline Friends

Cats have long been considered a "girl's pet," but more and more men are breaking that stereotype and embracing their feline friends. In fact, a recent survey found that nearly 40% of cat owners in the United States are men.

One reason for this increase in male cat ownership is the growing understanding of the many benefits of cat ownership. Cats make great companions, they are low maintenance, and they can even have a positive impact on mental health. Studies have shown that petting a cat can lower stress levels and blood pressure, and that owning a cat can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Another reason for the increase in male cat ownership is the changing perception of cats. Cats are no longer seen as aloof and independent, but rather as loving and affectionate pets. Many men are drawn to the companionship and comfort that cats can provide.
Moreover, owning a cat is no longer seen as a sign of weakness or femininity. It is now considered a sign of responsibility and maturity. Many men are proud to be cat owners and enjoy sharing pictures and videos of their furry friends on social media.

Despite the stereotypes, there's no reason that men can't enjoy the companionship of a cat just as much as women. In fact, research has shown that men and women bond with their pets in similar ways. So whether you're a man looking for a low-maintenance companion or just someone who loves cats, owning a cat can be a rewarding experience.

In conclusion, cat ownership is no longer just a women's business, more and more men are breaking the stereotype and embracing the love and companionship of cats. It offers numerous benefits for mental and physical health, and owning a cat is now considered a sign of maturity and responsibility.

by Harris

Mission Meow: Making Dreams Come True For Small Cat-Centric Nonprofits

Written By: Sally Williams, Founder and President, Mission Meow

If you want to know more about Mission Meow, think about words like joy, dreams, hope, community, love and cats. Yes, there is a lot of hard work and dedication involved in launching and running a nonprofit, but when you focus on words like those the work is worth it.

Mission Meow is a dream come true for me as well as everyone who volunteers or supports us. Most importantly, it is a dream come true for the cat rescue community. After saying goodbye to my first nonprofit, The Brodie Fund, at the end of 2021, I wasn’t sure where I would go next and I definitely didn’t see anything like Mission Meow coming to life. After taking a few months off, I realized how much I missed the nonprofit sector. Helping pets fight cancer had been amazing, but eventually, it was not emotionally sustainable. It was my love of cats and being of service that got me thinking about launching a new nonprofit. But I knew it needed to be unique and have a different approach to fundraising.

The name Mission Meow came first, and I quickly knew who I wanted to serve. The amazing logo came next, allowing me to visualize the next steps. The cat rescue, shelter and TNR community have always been something I am passionate about. I have seen firsthand the challenges, triumphs and heartbreaks that come with that work. Having been the director of a nonprofit during the worst of Covid, I am all too familiar with how difficult it became to fundraise. The cat community desperately needed help as these small organizations were struggling, burnt out and even worse, closing their doors.

So, now I knew who I wanted to help and why, next was the how. Fundraising is always challenging for small organizations, so I started thinking outside the box and came up with a 3 pronged approach with the foundation of partnering with businesses to become annual donors. An approach that was going to make the biggest impact for those in need.

Armed with a plan, I started building a team and brainstorming to make sure we had a solid foundation in time to launch in October 2022. Over time, the Mission Meow Board of Directors grew into a “Dream Team” and we worked hard to grow our list of business partners, supporters and set up our Teespring merchandise shop. The 3 prongs of our foundation were set.

October came quickly and we were ready to go! Our first benefiting nonprofit, Catsbury Park, had been chosen, the list of business partners was growing and a launch event was planned. In a few short months, we made the dream of Mission Meow a reality. Now it’s November and Mission Meow can proudly say we reached our goal and gave a grant of $10,000 to Catsbury Park for their 2023 expansion. The unique fundraising approach worked and having the foundation of amazing business partners made all the difference. As I said in our most recent newsletter:

“To say we are proud is putting it lightly. To say we are grateful doesn't seem enough.”

The sky's the limit for Mission Meow, especially with our incredible Board Of Directors, dedicated team of volunteers, passionate donors and incredible business partners. I can no longer speak in terms of “I” as everything being achieved is “We” and teamwork is the centerpiece of Mission Meow. Everyone involved understands the importance of the words I used at the very beginning; joy, dreams, hope, community, love and cats. I’ll add two more: kindness and compassion. This amazing team embodies those words and so much more. What started out as my dream has become the dream of so many others.

Dreams can come true and Mission Meow is proof.

Mission Meow works with businesses to increase the level of charitable donations for small feline-centric nonprofits to help create meaningful change for cats in need.

by Harris

What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and 9 Cat Cartoons?

Written By: Bob Eckstein, Award-Winning Author & Illustrator

There is probably no more popular subject for cartoons than the desert island and talking cats. I did some research and surprisingly none has combined the two troupes.

This is kind of amazing when one considers tens of millions of cartoons have been created. But none of them published in a major publication? I only found one, the following cartoon here, drawn by me, published in Reader’s Digest.

I started drawing gag cartoons on a dare. I had finished my first book which was about the history of snowmen, and was invited to the infamous weekly New Yorker lunch for my birthday by a friend who was a well-known cartoonist there.

My friend challenged me to come back the following week with ten sketches to pitch the Cartoon Editor there. When I returned, I was introduced to Bob Mankoff, and by sheer luck, he purchased the first cartoon I pitched to him.

That was a long time ago––about 3,000 cartoons ago for me––and much has changed. What hasn’t changed is how popular cat cartoons are and how they are the perfect foil in a gag cartoon.

Cats have inspired me to create over 60 cat gag cartoons and I was so happy with that output that I decided to put together a whole humor book on cats.

I hope you enjoy this excerpt from my book which also contains cat fun facts, cat advice, and thousands of names to help you name your cat. The following below are some samples if you wanted the best nine.

Desert Kittens

Office Interview Cat

Shrink Cat

Air Support Cat

Window Sill Cat

Missing Yarn

Cat Mirror

Writer's Block Cat

Catlas

Bob is an internationally-known, award-winning illustrator, New Yorker cartoonist and NY Times bestseller. He is also an adjunct professor and host of The Cartoon Pad. His new book is The Complete Book of Cat Names (That Your Cat Won't Answer to, Anyway).

by Harris

Kidney-Chek's Top 5 Tips to Help Keep Your Pet Healthy

Your cat's health is important! Take note of these five tips to keep your pet healthy, presented by Kidney-Chek™.

1. Hydration is important.

Make sure clean water is always available, and it's even better to have multiple water bowls or fountains in multiple rooms so your pet never has to go far to get a drink.

2. Feed a diet that is appropriate for the life stage and health status of your pet.

Feeding both canned and dry foods can be beneficial!

Ask your veterinary team to check your pet’s food if you have questions about pet food nutrient profiles, how many calories your pet should be eating, or for general nutritional advice.

3. Make sure your pet sees their vet regularly!

Veterinarians perform full nose-to-tail exams and make detailed notes so they can tell if there are any changes from previous appointments.

Regular laboratory tests, even if your pet appears healthy, are also critical for vets to see if there are any concerning changes.

Vets can potentially catch CKD in the earliest stages by noticing trends in lab work, even if everything is still in the normal range.

4. Keep on top of that bad breath!

Dental disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth and has been associated with damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys.

If your pet already has lots of tartar on their teeth, get a veterinarian to perform a thorough dental cleaning under anesthesia so you can take over the rest of the dental care at home.

Feeding special dental food or treats, using water additives, and regular tooth brushing are all good ways to keep those pearly whites healthy!

5. Use Kidney-Chek™ in-between your pet's regular vet appointments to make sure there are no health issues developing!

Early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most important step in treating your pet and keeping them healthy, yet this can be difficult, as clinical signs are easy to miss and often don’t become obvious until the later stages of CKD.

Thankfully, Kidney-Chek™ can help, with a faster, more affordable and non-invasive saliva screening test you can use at home!

If Kidney-Chek™ alerts you to a problem, it's important to follow up with your veterinarian as soon as possible to figure out the best treatment plan for you and your pet. Try it today!

 

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by Harris

How To Open A Cat Cafe

Written By: Whitney Sickels & Heath Hanson, Owners, Naughty Cat Cafe

So you want to know HOW to open a cat cafe. However, the first question shouldn’t be HOW… but WHY open a cat cafe.

Being discontent with your current 9-5, loving animals, or having always wanted to start your own business are all good motivations but they are NOT good reasons.

In our opinion, there is only one reason to open a cat cafe and that is to support the existing efforts in your community. By serving as a foster home and adoption facility, cat cafes help local shelters and rescues by relieving the stress of overcrowding, providing a space for the cats to get much-needed socialization, and handling adoption administration. Most importantly, cat cafes provide an additional way for homeless cats to get exposure outside of the shelter environment.

So you have to first ask yourself: Does your community NEED a cat cafe? The best way to answer this is to go to your local shelters and rescues and ask them if a cat cafe would add value to their efforts. They are the experts and have spent plenty of time and resources developing strategies on how to meet the needs of animals in your community. It is your job to first see if a cat cafe has a place in that strategy without forcing it.

Maybe your local shelter is transferring in most of their cats from other communities and really needs help with launching a TNR program instead. Perhaps you already have a cat cafe in your area, and what is really needed is a low cost spay and neuter clinic.

The bottom line is, do not create a need that does not exist. Do not re-invent the wheel or replicate existing efforts in the community.

One of the biggest challenges in communities can be getting similar organizations to work together towards the same goal. It is essential that we all keep focused on our shared goals and look for ways to support and complement one another’s efforts.

After you have done your research and spoken to your local groups, if it is determined that a cat cafe is the best tactic in your communities’ existing strategy, then go for it! And subscribe to this channel.

BUT BEFORE YOU QUIT YOUR DAY JOB, you have got some homework to do. While at first glance a cat cafe may seem as straightforward and simple as a room full of cats, it is far more complex. It requires knowledge and expertise in many areas outside of caring for cats, such as shelter medicine experience, a keen understanding small business management, marketing, bookkeeping and accounting, commercial real estate and contract law. Not to mention the endless hours of work, massive amounts of money and a surprising number of legal risks involved.

We say all of this not to scare you away, but to help provide you with the most information up front, so you don’t set yourself and the cats, up to fail. That is why we have created a series of videos on How to Start a Cat Cafe so that you can have a more realistic assessment of the inherent challenges of pioneering this unique concept. There are so many communities that still have not even heard of a cat cafe and attempting to introduce the concept can be overwhelming.

It is at this point we suggest that you craft your mission statement. In developing this unique concept, there are many elements that must be balanced and sometimes compete with one another. By having a clear mission statement from the beginning, it will serve as a Rubrik to which you can constantly refer to when making strategic decisions.

Our mission statement at Naughty Cat Cafe is to provide a healthy and safe environment for the community to socialize with and adopt cats from our local shelters. We work to enhance the bond between humans and animals and raise awareness on the importance of spay and neuter.

If you are still reading and are not a scaredy cat, then get to work!

About Naughty Cat Cafe

Naughty Cat Cafe is a comfortable and healthy space to interact with adoptable cats and enjoy coffee, tea, beer and baked goods. Chattanooga's first and only cat cafe! Plenty of free parking! Must be 11 years or older. OPEN Wednesday - Sunday. CLOSED Monday & Tuesday. Book meow!

by Harris

Ever Feel in Need of Some PURRsonal Space?

Written By: Lori Genstein, Owner, Purrsonal Space Cat Lounge

You’re not alone! What does that space look like; what feelings does it elicit when you think about having time for yourself? Unsure because it’s been so long? Well, we’ve created it PURRfectly for you and you’re already on your way there...

Sit far back in this comfy chair; put a pillow behind you if you’d like, now whisper: PURRsonal Space, here I come. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths in of the calm, welcoming energy surrounding you and focus on the soft music you hear in the background.

Every muscle relaxes as your body relinquishes to peace and tranquility taking over. Exhaling, you feel something rubbing back and forth against your legs. Uncertain what’s in your lap, but, rather than startled, you fall into a deeper state of relaxation from its warm vibrating sensations increasingly getting stronger. Reaching out, fingers touching a soft texture, now hearing the vibrations, loudly!

You’re smiling, even begin to laugh a little, in the midst of a meditative state of calm and contentment...

Welcome to PURRsonal Space - SJ’s Cat Lounge & Adoptions in Palmyra, NJ.

Many others share the same FEEL-ines discovering their happy place as they visit cat lounges around the world, experiencing the therapeutic benefits of PURRs petting and playing with homeless cats for adoption.

Themes of lounges vary but all share a common mission: Save homeless cats, facilitate adoptions, provide humane education and advocacy, help prevent animal cruelty, homelessness, end suffering, cats born on the street and euthanasia of healthy cats.

Inside cat lounges MEOWgical things happen:

• Lives are saved, forever changed, both cats’ and humans’ alike
• Cats kissed their cages goodbye and are now given second chances after losing their families; others are learning trust and love from humans for the first time
• Hearts and homes are fulfilled; anxiety and stress alleviated; sadness and grief healed
• Children are properly introduced to cats
• Families and friends spend quality time together
• All ages learn cat communication, proper care, experience positive interaction, the beauty and joy of cats
• Special occasions are celePURRated amongst fabulous felines
• Seniors stay active, reaching, bending, playing with cats
• Education through recreation is fun with felines
• Lots of cuddles, PURRs, catnaps, playtime, petting, smiles, snuggles and selfies are taken
• Forever memories are created and much more
• YOU help make that MEOWgic for each cat when you visit

Opening your eyes at PURRsonal Space, pastel colors add to the calmness along with soothing sounds of an aquarium. Cat enrichment fills The Lounge, on the walls, along the floor, and cats of varying ages and PURRsonalities roam freely in a cage-free environment allowing for natural cat behaviors. Some furry friends greet you, others are grooming, playing, but all show their aPURRciation for your love!

Books and information displayed around encourage cat conversation and help parents form stronger bonds with their cats. Visitors lacking a fondness for felines are some of our favorites because they always leave taking PAWsitive with them fostering a positive perception for cats.

Our delightful cats for adoption are nurtured, provided a tremendous amount of love, socialization, appropriate stimulation, food and veterinary care until their special PURRson/Family is found. Currently, some young cats are zooming around, but our nonprofit cat rescue PURRsonal Space ‘ROCKS’, Inc., primarily focuses on helping shelters save adult cats, vulnerable populations and cats with individualized needs. Although there’s a limit to the number of cats permitted at The Lounge, we’re continuously serving our community helping other cats in need.

Many cat lounges operate with volunteers. Everyone can make a difference! Please never underestimate the significance of what and how you may contribute.

Your happy place to escape the pressure and stress of everyday life is a temporary home for homeless cats in need and your entry fees and donations support our life-saving efforts. Loud PURRs for helping make MEOWgic happen while you enjoy it happening.

Hoping your “envisioned” visit peaked the curiosity of the cat lover in MEW. Schedule your in-PURRson visit @ https://PURRsonalSpaceReservation.as.me or contact Lori Genstein at (856) 786-PURR (7877). Get directions here.

Smiles and laughter are guaranteed! 😸

by Harris

Multifunctional, Sustainable & Modern: SØDE Design Cat Specific Furniture

Amsterdam, Netherlands - On April 5th, 2022 SØDE Design launched a collection of luxury cat accessories that helps to maintain Scandinavian elegance in your home.

SØDE Design is launching ORIGAMEOW, an all-in-one bar stool and scratching post, and introducing FLOWER PAWER, a flower box and vertical scratching post. The ORIGAMEOW and FLOWER PAWER come assembled and delivered in a cardboard box, which after unpacking is easily transformed into a cat house.

Designed with the help of a veterinarian and cat behaviorist, experienced Marketing Director and Interior Designer Carøle Picou-Katmann wanted to create long-lasting pieces that offer an alternative to ugly cat furniture. Handmade in Portugal where renewable energy and good working conditions underpin the manufacturing process, these pieces of cat furniture have sustainable designs that both cats and humans alike will love.

"At SØDE Design, sustainability is crucial and we are the first to create furniture designs different from what is currently available." says founder Carole. "Our goal is to make beautiful, functional and timeless cat furniture with the environment in mind. The furniture is made of high-quality materials, produced in Europe, with care and respect for people, cats and the environment. Our products are inspired by cats and come in a stylish Scandinavian design."

ORIGAMEOW is a multi-functional hideaway, perch, scratcher, and play space for kitties that also serves as a seat for humans. Made from premium recycled cardboard, sustainably sourced wood, and Oeko-Tex Certified fabrics that are all safe for the environment and safe for your cat. A unique play rope that is hand woven using recycled industrial waste that is durable and safe for cats to play with.

FLOWER PAWER, a wall-mounted cat scratcher with a built-in flower pot on top. Made with recycled cardboard, eco-certified wood, and Portuguese cork for an elegant and natural look. This sturdy scratcher can be mounted at any height to give your cat a nice stretch while scratching and the play rope adds extra fun.

SØDE Design is crowdfunding to raise €23,000 on Kickstarter until May 5th, 2022. Perks include a discounted Early Bird FLOWER PAWER made with premium cork, cardboard, textile, and wood for €169, saving €80 off retail with delivery by October 2022.

Carole Picou-Katmann
carole@sodedesign.com
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sodedesign/sde-design-stylish-and-sustainable-furniture-for-cat and-human
Press Page: https://sodedesign.com/pages/press

About SØDE Design

SØDE Design is the first company operating at the intersection of pet, interior and sustainability, developing stylish furniture & accessories in a Scandinavian design, for both the cat and cat owner.

by Harris