Community Cats Podcast #499: Cats Generating Awareness on Social Media
In episode #499 of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron chats with Harris Baker, the founder of Catfluence, a social media platform that promotes everything feline related.
They spoke about his top tips for generating awareness for cats in need online and using marketing tactics to build a social media following.
Follow this link to listen to the entire podcast, or find the episode on wherever you listen to podcasts (Spotify, Apple, etc). Thanks for all your support!
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)
2023 Catfluence March Meowdness Tournament
Championship Summary
We have a winner!!! #8 @littlewafflesbigcity (8.4k) finished up with an impressive, but close, 804 – 752 victory over #12 @the_catnamedcheeto (3.7K). Both accounts had an exciting journey to the finals, but unfortunately, there can only be one champion. A big congratulations to Waffles on being the fourth annual March Meowdness champion, and thank you to all the voters who help make this improbable run possible!
A big thank you to all the brands who sponsored March Meowdness prizes this year! Each for the Final Four accounts will receive a special prize back, with Waffles receiving the most goodies. More information about the sponsors and the and prizes they provided can be found towards the bottom of the blog.
Thank you again to all of our followers and voters who made this the most exciting tournament yet. We could not do this each year without your support and engagement!
Final 4 Summary & Championship Preview
There are FINALly two accounts remaining in the 2023 March Meowdness Tournament! In the Final Four, #12 @the_catnamedcheeto (3.7K) defeated #10 @boyce_brotherz (5.3k) 263 to 116, and #8 @littlewafflesbigcity (8.4k) took down #9 @joeyinthenoniverse (5.7k) 370 to 366! After three long weeks, Cheeto and Waffles will face off for the championship crown!
The matchup will begin on Monday, April 3rd at 9:30 AM EST on our IG stories. The poll will run for 24 hours and on Tuesday, a winner be announced, and prizes from our amazing brand sponsors will be distributed. Be sure to follow @catfluence on IG so you can vote, and read the blog for more updates!
Elite 8 Summary & Final 4 Preview
It’s the final countdown… The Elite Eight has been completed, and the Final Four bracket is all set! #15 seeds @barcelonaboots (702) and @just_herb_and_phoebe (658) had their Cinderella stories cut short, and the highest overall remaining seed, #3 @coleandmarmalade (675k), also fell. Cheeto vs. was one of our highest voted-on matchups this year, with a score of 496-403.
Congratulations to #10 @boyce_brotherz (5.3k), #12 @the_catnamedcheeto (3.7K), #8 @littlewafflesbigcity (8.4k), and #9 @joeyinthenoniverse (5.7k) on their impressive runs to the finals. Boyce Brotherz will face Cheeto next, followed by Waffles and Joey & Co!
Each of these four accounts will receive prizes from our generous sponsors, which can be found at the bottom of this blog post. No matter what happens, it’s guaranteed that this year’s champion will be a #8 seed or higher, the highest since 2021 when #9 @mosstherat (3.8k) was champion.
The Final Four matchup polls will be posted to our IG stories at 9:30 AM EST on Saturday, April 1st. The Championship will begin on Monday, April 3rd at 9:30 AM EST, and a winner will be decided the following day.
Sweet 16 Summary & Elite 8 Preview
The Sweet 16 has completed and the Elite 8 has been set. Many of the top remaining accounts have been eliminated.
#8 @gigi_sagwa_cornish_rex (6.7k) took down #4 @thejunocat (98.1k), and will face off against #10 @boyce_brotherz (5.3k) for the Region 1 title. #12 @the_catnamedcheeto (3.6K) had a huge victory over #1 seed @white_coffee_cat (2.2m), but will have to stay strong against #15 @barcelonaboots (675) who is on an incredible Cinderella run in Region 3.
#8 @littlewafflesbigcity (7.7k) advances to battle the top-seeded remaining account, #3 @coleandmarmalade (675k), who defeated #2 @strykerthecat (872k), which will determine the winner of Region 3. Lastly, #8 @joeyinthenoniverse (5.6k) beat #4 @chloetheserval (402k) and will face our other remaining #15 seed on a magical run, @just_herb_and_phoebe (640).
With four double-digit seeds remaining, and only one 3 or higher seed left, the 2023 Catfluence March Meowdness championship is up for grabs. Follow along on our IG stories on Saturday/Sunday afternoon for the matchup polls. By Monday afternoon, the Final Four will be all set!
Round of 32 Summary & Sweet 16 Preview
After a long four (five) days, the stage is finally set for the Sweet 16!
In Region 1, we saw first-year competitor #8 @gigi_sagwa_cornish_rex (6.7k) take down #1 overall seed @nala_cat (4.5m), and will face off next against long-time March Meowdness competitor, #4 @thejunocat (98.1k). To round out the region is Catfluence blogger #11 @zenmasteroatie (5k), who took down a former champion, #3 @smushofficial (702k), and #10 @boyce_brotherz (5.3k).
The only remaining #1 seed is @white_coffee_cat (2.2m), set to face off #12 @the_catnamedcheeto (3.6K), who was the winner of our FIRST EVER tie with #13 @count_salem (2.2k), who each had exactly 350 votes. The tiebreaker was decided by posting another IG poll for 24 hours, and the final votes were 551-523 in favor of Cheeto! It was a valiant effort by Salem and one of our greatest matchups of all time. #3 @pudgethecat (633k) will face off against Cinderella #15 @barcelonaboots (675), a cat belonging to actor, model, and influencer, @jared_p_smith.
In Region 2, four-year competitor #1 @venustwofacecat (2.2m) was defeated by Catfluence Ambassador, #8 @littlewafflesbigcity (7.7k) and will match up against #13 @blublu.ragdoll (2.6k), who made it to the Elite 8 in 2021. The last matchup in Region two will feature two of the strongest remaining competitors going head to head in #2 @coleandmarmalade (675k) vs. #2 @strykerthecat (872k).
Last, but not least, in Region 4, #9@joeyinthenoniverse (5.6k) came out victorious over #1@cobythecat (1.8m), and will match up against #4 @chloetheserval (402k) in the Sweet 16. #6 @zolder_the_cat (27.7k) defeated fan-favorite @spongecake_thescottishfold (471k), and will face #15 @just_herb_and_phoebe (640), who look to continue their magical run after taking down #10 @princessjojoofgreenwich (5.4k) and #15 @smudge_lord (1.6m) in the first round.
The Sweet 16 will begin on Thursday, March 23rd at 9:30 AM EST with Region’s 1 and 3, following by Region’s 2 and 4 on Friday the 24th. The Elite 8 will be announced on Saturday morning and matchups will begin shortly after. Be sure to vote on our story polls and follow along in the blog and story highlights for more updates and info!
Round of 64 Summary & Round of 32 Preview
…And just like that the first round of March Meowdness is complete!
On Day 1, Region 1 was pretty standard, while Region 3 saw some big-time upsets. In Region 1, #1 overall seed @nala_cat (4.5m) advanced in a tough matchup vs #16 @loughtoncatlady (107), along with #2 @waffles_the_cat (859k), former champion #3 @smushofficial (702k), and four-time Meowdness competitor, #4 @thejunocat (98.1k).
In Region 3, #1 @white_coffee_cat (2.2m), advanced, but #9 @theblackbasil (6.1k), #12 @the_catnamedcheeto (3.6K), #13 @count_salem (2.2k), #10 @elliot.and.olivia (5.3k), all successfully completed upsets. The biggest of all came from #15, @barcelonaboots (675) defeating #2, @owl__kitty (1m). In there round of 32 a matchup we’re keeping a close eye on is between close friends, #12 @the_catnamedcheeto (3.6K) and #13 @count_salem (2.2k)!
On Day 2, Region 2, all of the top seeds surprisingly advanced. In Region 2 we’re keeping an eye on #8 @littlewafflesbigcity (7.7k) facing off against #1 @venustwofacecat (2.2m), and #2 @strykerthecat (872k) looking strong with over 250 Round 1 votes.
In Region 4, #4 @chloetheserval (402k) came out strong with 363 votes, more than any other account. She will face off next against #12 @chamberlain.casa.cats (3.7k), who also had a strong showing with 213 votes in an upset victory over #5 @peterbald_meowfia (45.8k)!
The Round of 32 with Regions 1 and 3 will begin on Saturday, March 18th at 1 PM EST and run for 24 hours, followed by Regions 2 and 4 on Sunday, March 19th at the same time. Updates about next week’s matchups will be posted on Monday, March 20th. The updated bracket is below. Follow along on our IG stories in the polls to vote and stay tuned for more!
2022 Summary
It’s that time of year again! March Meowdness is back! Before giving the details of the 2023 tournament, we will give a brief summary of 2022…
Congratulations again to #4 @abdulscats (176k) on his 948 votes (53%) in the finals against #10 @catnamedpizza (4.6k) 829 (47%). Abdul and Pizza, along with #12 @count_salem (2.1k) and #5 @tunatheadventurecat (70.1k) all received some amazing prizes from our brand sponsors.
The full blog from the 2022 competition can be found here, along with 2021, and 2020 summaries. Other past winners include @mosstherat (2021) and @smushofficial (2020)
2023 Preview
It’ssssssss timeeeeeeee (Bruce Buffer voice) for March Meowdness 2023!!! We have 45 returning accounts from last year, including two of the Final Four participants – #13 @count_salem (2.1k) and #5 @tunatheadventurecat (70.1k) – as well as two others from the Elite Eight. This means that 19 new accounts will have a shot at greatness and some amazing prizes…
Other returning participants from the last few years looking to make another run include #2 @strykerthecat (872k), #4 @thejunocat (98.1k), #7 @louis_the_kitten_prince (11.5k), #10 @princessjojoofgreenwich (5.4k), #10 @elliot.and.olivia (5.3k), #12 @the_catnamedcheeto (3.6K), and #13 @blublu.ragdoll (2.6k) to name a few.
Many of these cool cats belong to awesome influencers who we are looking forward to having involved this year such as #13 @kingsporkofqueens (2.6k), #15 @barcelonaboots (675), #13 @kittamoose (1.3K), @meistertravelcat (2.9k), and #14 @brooklynfrmtheblock (1.3k). Can #3 @smushofficial (702k) also make a run to the finals after winning the championship in 2020???
Be sure to check out all this year’s brand sponsors and follow along with the key dates so you can share/vote on our IG stories below!!
Key Dates:
- Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 12
- First round: March 16-17 (Region 1/3 on 16th, Region 2/4 on 17th)
- Second round: March 18-19 (Region 1/3 on 18th, Region 2/4 on 19th)
- Sweet 16: March 23-24 (Region 1/3 on 23rd, Region 2/4 on 24th)
- Elite Eight: March 25-26 (Region 1/3 on 25th, Region 2/4 on 26th)
- Final Four: April 1
- Championship matchup: April 3
View the full bracket and download a copy of your own to fill out online!
2023 Format & FAQ
Each year, as this tournament has evolved since quarantine in 2020, the rules and format have changed for the better. For those who are new, here is a breakdown of how “March Meowdness” works along with some frequently asked questions.
What is March Meowdness? This bracket competition between 64 cat accounts will follow the same timeline as the Men’s College Basketball March Madness. More on that specific timeline can be found in the preview below. It was developed in March 2020 when the real March Madness tournament was canceled and we were all stuck working from home (with our cats).
Who can be in it? The tournament will feature accounts that are USA-based, as this makes things easier for our generous brand sponsors (more on them below) to ship out prizes. All entrants are required to be cat-focused accounts, and we used our best judgment to be as fair as possible while allowing for the most excitement and engagement.
How can you enter your cat into this year’s competition? We’re glad you asked! The easiest way is to fill out this form on our website. We will also be accepting some entries via IG DM or emails to catfluence@yahoo.com. Many accounts from last year will receive an automatic bid into this year, so long as they have been active in posting throughout 2022. It is free for cat accounts and brands to enter.
How do we choose a winner? Also glad you asked! Once 64 teams have been selected, we will put together a bracket with accounts ranked in order based on follower account and broken into 4 groups seeded 1-16. Once the bracket is complete, for each round we will post the matchups for each round in story polls on our Instagram @catfluence for followers to vote for which account they would like to win.
What do the winners get? The Final Four accounts will all receive pawesome prizes from our generous sponsors (see below). First place will receive the most, followed by second, and the two who lose in the Final Four will always receive free items.
How can you follow along? As mentioned, the matchup polls for each round will be posted to our IG stories and follow the men’s basketball tournament timeline. We will post updates to this blog post after each day, and also make social posts on all our channels prior to each round (we encourage you to follow us and subscribe for post notifications).
2023 Sponsors
Abdul’s Cats
When Abdul & Shamiyan, got into fostering with their first kitten Bambi, they become so attached that they adopted her!
Seeing how transformative caring for Bambi was, they decided to continue fostering, which is such an important aspect of animal rescue systems. To date, they have fostered and helped find homes for over 50 cats!
With over 300k IG followers, Abdul’s Cats spreads an incredible message of love, positivity. and CATS! They will be giving a cat t-shirt and sticker package from their store to the winner of March Meowdness.
Bad Cat Coffee Company
Bad Cat was founded by Traci and inspired by her beloved cat, Peaches!
Bad Cat Coffee Co. serves locally roasted, coffee, espresso, cat-themed lattes and so much more at the Morgan Street Food Hall, 411 W. Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. They also have swag available in an online store.
They also ship anywhere in the USA and deliver in their local area in North Carolina. They will be giving an insulated tumbler, a bag of coffee, and a tote bag to the first-place winner!
Catfluence
Catfluence is a brand dedicated to cat influencers, influencers with cats, and more!
We’ll be putting up shirts, mugs, stickers, hats, and other merch from our store as prizes to the Final Four cat accounts.
Cat Lady Academy
Founded by Nikki Hess, Philly native, marketer, and meowmy to @mannyhalloweencat, Cat Lady Academy provides personal coaching and online courses for cat IG accounts, along with tips for new & established accounts.
You can check out the courses she currently has available by visiting the CLA website. These guides will help you work with brands and promote their products on your cat’s Instagram!
Nikki and Cat Lady Academy will be giving a bundle of her/Manny’s ebooks! The ebook bundle ($35 value) would include:
- Manny’s ebook “Paws & Reflect”
- Manny Halloween Cat’s Guide to Holiday Catting
- Never Forget Another Cat Day
- Organizing Your Cat Photos and Videos
- Help Your Cat Have a Healthy New Year
Bob Eckstein
Bob Eckstein 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), which he will provide the March Meowdness winner with a copy of.
You can find more about Bob here on his website. For other books he has authored, check out this link. For more updates you can follow him on Twitter or Instagram or sign up for his newsletter.
Fat Cat Foods
Orlando-based Fat Cat Gourmet Foods is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Eyal Goldshmid and Deborah Moskowitz, two long-time foodies who made their passion for exploring flavorful and fiery food their full-time profession.
Their award-winning sauces focus on that magical middle ground where flavor and fire meet. Their products feature exotic flavor combinations, all-natural ingredients, and heat levels ranging from mild to super-hot. They are purr-fect for grilling, marinating, dipping, and more.
Deborah and Eyal had a cat named Tiggy, who is no longer with us, but at one point got up to 23 pounds, hence the name “Fat Cat”. They will give a three-pack of their hot sauces to the winner!
Katio
Katio has created many pawesome products, including the Kitty Kafé Floating Pet Bowl Set, which is a wall-mounted food & water bowl system. This product elevates your cat bowls off the door and helps aid with food digestion and prevents whisker stress/fatigue.
It’s a great space safe and easy to clean – it even allows for robot vacuums to clean underneath! Check it out here. The winner of March Meowdness will receive a free bowl kit.
Kitty Kubed
Kitty Kubed is an innovative, cozy, home-in-a-home solution to the international cat creed: If I fits, I sits. It’s a simple but effective toy that cats love! Get your kitty a kitty kubed! #kittykubed
Made in the USA with durable and 100% sustainable corrugated cardboard, our 13” x 13“ kubes are lightweight and inconspicuous – An attractive and long-lasting upgrade from your old shoebox! Kitty Kubed helps other kitty’s! $1 of each purchase will be donated to benefit an animal in a shelter.
Kitty Kubed will be giving away one of their products to the winner of March Meowdness.
Living Art USA
Living Art USA was founded in 2010 by Jane Morocco. Jane is an industry leader as well as an accomplished author, environmentalist, philanthropist, and community activist.
Living Art features luscious, low-maintenance plant varieties perfect for any urban growing environment that are pet and child-Safe. Most plants are 12-24″ in height.
The winner will receive a pet-friendly plant of choice -including the Money Tree (Pachira Trunk), Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea), and many more! They are non-toxic so your pets and kids will not get sick if they take a nibble.
Make Sure Pet
Thanks to inspiration from MA SHU (similar pronunciation as “makesure”), an adorable cat raised by chief designer, ZHANG HAIZHOU, the leisure company and its fully IP-owned design brand makesure® (ms!) was born in 2018.
After thousands of drafts and sample testing, they released their most popular product: the makesure litter box, which won an iF Design Award 2020 and Golden Pin Design Award 2019.
The winner of March Meowdness will receive a green gift box (includes one green makesure cat litter box MAX, two green hola toy, and two green combs)!
Matrix Partners
Matrix Partners is an award-winning brand strategy, design, and marketing communications firm that specializes in creating custom programs to help pet product companies achieve their marketing and financial goals. They’re providing a generous amount of prizes to the Final Four accounts on behalf of their clients.
- 1st Place: (1) Van Ness Calm Carrier or Calm Carrier Max, (1) Omega Plus King Salmon Mini Bites, (1) HandsOn grooming gloves
- 2nd Place: (1) Pawse Mighty Mushrooms, (3) Hound & Gatos wet food cans of any flavor
- 3rd Place: (1) Omega Plus King Salmon Bites
- 4th Place: (2) Hound & Gatos wet food cans of any flavor
Pizzacat
You’ve probably seen The Pizza Cat floating around the internet, well they are the original creators of this viral kitty!
They make hilarious original memes and videos with Pizza and Cheeto, who both participated in the Meowdness the past three years. They also run the IG account @chonksdointhings.
Check out the Pizza Cat Party Website to learn more, as well as the Uncle Grumpy Inc Esty store for sick merch. Stickers will be sent out to our finalists!
Posh & Tizzy
Posh & Tizzy is a boutique for misunderstood cats & their humans! Founded by Amy of Northwest Arkansas, they are dedicated to providing high-quality products and services for both black cat and big cat lovers. Posh is her senior black cat, while Tizzy is her younger black cat.
This boutique has been generous enough to provide the following prizes for March Meowdness:
🏆 First Prize: choice of one kitchen towel + one coffee cup
🏆 Second Prize: choice of one coffee cup
Shameless Pets
Shameless Pets is a fun and sustainable pet treat brand using upcycled fruits and veggies! From hip and joint support to fresh breath, there’s a health benefit for every flavor, and they NEVER sacrifice taste.
They have many pawesome treats for dogs and cats including flavors such as Cluck’n Sweet Catnip, Shrimp, Purr-adise, You Tuna Me, and several others.
Just like last year, the champion of March Mewodness will receive a year’s supply of treats ($140 value)!
Uproot Clean
Uproot Clean makes an easy-to-use, effective, and affordable lint/pet hair cleaner that works on clothes, bedding, carpets, furniture, and more! All that you need to say goodbye to your lint and pet hair woes!
They will be providing their NEW Deshedders (coming soon) and Uproot Cleaner Pros to each of the Final Four accounts. Check out all their other products on their website.
Wag Source
Wag Source is a woman-owned and operated business, founded by a dog-mom in search of a healthier way to treat her two dogs, and ultimately, for all humans who are searching for the best supplements for their dogs and cats!
They have a Calming Aid for Cats and a Kidney Support for cats, and each account in the Final Four will get a jar of each.
Wellnergy Pets
Dr. Zonram Liao is a Veterinarian and the Founder of Wellnergy Pets. There are a LOT of pet product and supplement companies out there, but how many are founded and ran by actively practicing veterinary staff? Only at Wellnergy Pets!
They see over 5000 patients a year, giving them a unique insight when it comes to feedback from our patients for challenges of managing pet issues at home, and developing products accordingly. Dr. Z believes that with a proactive approach at home with pet owners, they can help to improve the lives of people and their pets and hopefully keep potential veterinary visits to a minimum. His team works diligently to develop safe, effective products for your pet’s needs, in a form that they will enjoy. Please feel free to visit their website at www.wellnergypets.com, and let them know what they can do for you. They can’t wait to provide your pets the best preventive and supportive pet care. Thank you in advance for joining the Wellnergy Pets family!
For March Meowdness, Wellnergy will be providing a hairball control multivitamin to the winner and a probiotic travel pack (10ct) for the rest of the Final 4 🙂
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:
Follow @theyasshouse on social media:
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.
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.
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).
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!
Kidney-Chek for Cats: A 2-minute at-home saliva test to screen for kidney problems in cats. ORDER HERE
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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!
NJ Influencers; Inspiring Growth in Their Communities
Montclair State University students, Tyler Delp and Reggie Gonzales, published an article on New Jersey influencers and the impact they have on inspiring growth in their communities. They sat down one evening and interviewed Harris Baker of Catfluence along with Elliot and Olivia as part of this piece. Check out the article here or watch the video below!
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! 😸
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.
2022 Catfluence March Meowdness Tournament
Championship & Tournament Summary
After three weeks of “meowdness”, we have our winner! Congratulations to #4 @abdulscats (176k) on his 948 votes (53%) to #10 @catnamedpizza (4.6k) 829 (47%). It was truly a valiant effort by Pizza and The Pizza Cat Army, but in the end, it was not enough to take down Abdul, Bambi, and his fosters.
Abdul and Pizza, along with #12 @count_salem (2.1k) and #5 @tunatheadventurecat (70.1k) will all be receiving prizes from our brand sponsors. More information about the brands and prizes can be found at the bottom of this page.
Thank you to everyone for their support in this year’s tournament. Whether you were a catfluencer/human in the bracket, voted and shared posts/stories, or sponsored a prize as a brand, it has not gone unnoticed, and I am eternally grateful. I’ll be taking a few weeks off from Catfluence after this to get caught up on some much-needed sleep and RNR.
-Harris
Final 4 Summary & Championship Preview
#4 @abdulscats (176k), who has dominated this years’ tournament thus far, continued in a similar fashion with a 362-99 vote victory over #5 @tunatheadventurecat (70.1k) to advance.
On the other side of the bracket, #10 @catnamedpizza (4.6k) and #12 @count_salem (2.1k) went back and forth all day sharing control of the lead, but in the end, Pizza was the victor, with 314 votes to Salem’s 290, which came out to 52% and 48%, respectively. What a hard-fought matchup, and congratulations to both!
The championship match and will begin on the morning of Monday 4/4, and will conclude the following morning on Tuesday 4/5. Tune into our IG stories so you can vote on the poll for the winner!
After completion of the tournament, we will contact the Final Four accounts and distribute prizes accordingly. Thank you all for the support.
Elite 8 Summary & Final 4 Preview
After two weeks of madness, we have our Final Four!
In Region 1, #5 @tunatheadventurecat (70.1k) took out the highest remaining seed and follower count, #3 @nathan_thebeachcat (536k), by a narrow margin of 9 votes. In Region 3, #4 @abdulscats (176k) defeated our lowest remaining see #15 @boyce_brotherz (385) in impressive fashion, with 566 votes to 59.
In Region 2, #4 @thejunocat (100k) fell to #10 @catnamedpizza (4.6k), powered by The Pizza Cat Army, while in Region 4, their close friend, #12 @count_salem (2.1k) defeated @chuckandsophia (4.7k) to advance.
The Final Four will begin on Saturday morning (4/2) on our IG stories with matchup polls. #5 @tunatheadventurecat (70.1k) will take on powerhouse #4 @abdulscats (176k), while close friends and supporters #10 @catnamedpizza (4.6k) and #12 @count_salem (2.1k) will fight for a spot in the championship.
Who will win? Follow along and vote to see! The championship will begin on Monday morning (4/4) and conclude at that same time on Tuesday.
Sweet 16 Summary & Elite 8 Preview
And then there were eight!
The last remaining #1 seed, @venustwofacecat (2m), fell to #5 @tunatheadventurecat (70.1k), while #3 @nathan_thebeachcat (536k) dominated #10 @pearly_the_kitty (3.3k) 478 votes to 240 to advance to the Region 1 final.
#16 Cinderella, @therealhandsomekai (345), finally met his maker against #4 @abdulscats (176k), getting outscored 730-212. Another Cinderella, #15 @boyce_brotherz (385), defeated #6 @zolder_the_cat (26.1k) by a narrow margin, 311-289, in Region 3.
Tournament veteran, #4 @thejunocat (100k), defeated #9 @princessjojoofgreenwich (5.5k), #10 @catnamedpizza (4.6k) advanced passed #14 @just_herb_and_phoebe (450) in Region 2.
In Region 4, a hard-fought match between big-time Catfluence supporters #12 @count_salem (2.1k) and #8@sirsimonofsays (8.3k), ended with Salem as the victor by 5 votes. #10 @chuckandsophia (4.7k) surpassed #14 @poshkittycity (480) by 63 votes.
The Elite 8 is set, and matchup polls will begin on our Instagram stories on Saturday March 26th and Sunday March 27th in the morning.
Round of 32 Summary & Sweet 16 Preview
After a busy week of four straight days of Madness (in both the human and cat worlds), the stage is set for the Sweet 16. While the field has leveled out a bit and some top seeds remain, their are still several underdogs(cats) looking for their shot at the throne in 2022.
In Region 1, @venustwofacecat (2m), who was been a #1 seed and made runs in both tournaments, including the Elite 8 last year, looks to make another run this year over #4 @tunatheadventurecat (70.1k). #10 @pearly_the_kitty (3.3k) will have her work cut out for her against #3 @nathan_thebeachcat (536k), coming off a stunning upset over #2 @theklauscat (578k), with 302 votes to 181.
Region 2 is going to be really interesting to see how it plays out. #9 @princessjojoofgreenwich (5.5k) took out #1 @smudge_lord (1.6m), and will look to do the same against fan-favorite #4 @thejunocat (100k). Another Cinderella, #14 @just_herb_and_phoebe (450) looks to continue their run against #10 @catnamedpizza (4.6k), who also looks to make a further run this year than past years.
In Region 3, #16 @therealhandsomekai (345) also looks to continue their most impurressive run after taking down #1 @waffles_the_cat (886k) in the first round and #8 @elliemcat (10.6k) next, but will have his work cut out for him against early tournament favorite and overall leading vote-getter, #4 @abdulscats (176k), who had 577 last round alone. #15@boyce_brotherz (385) will also look to advance vs. a formidable foe in #6 @zolder_the_cat (26.1k).
Last but not least, Region 4. Two returning competitors, #8 @sirsimonofsays (8.3k) and #12 @count_salem (2.1k), will duke it out next, along with #14 @poshkittycity (480) and #10 @chuckandsophia (4.7k), who took out March Meowdness stalwart, #2 @smushofficial (688k).
On our Instagram Stories, Region 1 and Region 3 poll matchups will begin on Thursday morning (3/24), followed by Regions 2 and 4 on Friday (3/25). The same timeline will follow on Saturday and Sunday, and then the Final Four will be set. The blog will be updated during the week in anticipation of matchups on the following Saturday (4/2) and the Finals on Monday (4/4). Until then, please reference the “Matchups” IG story highlights to see who won (the polls will show the winners)
Round of 64 Summary & Round of 32 Preview
And the first round is officially complete! As we see every March in both the human and cat tournaments, upsets are the story of the Round of 64. Some big time competitors who you read about in the preview as top returners from last year have already been taken down.
Those included #5 @khaleesithekitty116 (33.5k) over 2021 Elite Eight competitor, #12 @blublu.ragdoll (2.6k), and #10 @chuckandsophia (4.7k), who made it to the Sweet Sixteen last year, over #7 @louis_the_kitten_prince (11.1k), who was in the Final Four!
There seemed to be some friends with cats with food-related names successfully taking down greater opponents – #13 @the_catnamedcheeto (1.6k) took down #4 @dancinzeus (83k). More specifically in Region 3, #12 @omg_pepper (1.6k) took down #5 @mannyhalloweencat (49.2k), #11 @kingsporkofqueens (2.7k), who is owned by Kate of Barstool Sports, defeated #6@hermiajesty (16.4k), #14 @just_herb_and_phoebe (450) over #3 @smushball (490k), #10 @catnamedpizza (4.6k) over #7 @lincoln_and_kiwi (11.5k), and #15 @coupleofclassycats (400), who are owned by Chelsea Brea from Temptation Island, over #2 @pudgethecat (642k).
We also saw some other powerhouses go down, including #16 @therealhandsomekai (345) taking down #1 seeded @waffles_the_cat (886k) and #15 @boyce_brotherz (385) over #2 @strykerthecat (844k) in Region 3, which has all but made the path for @abdulscats (176k), the leading vote-getter in this round with 724, a much easier path to the Final Four. One big upset that almost happened, but didn’t, was between #4 @adventurecatleo (110k) and #13 @showbizkitties (820), who lost by only 6 votes.
Check out the bracket below for several other upsets that occurred, and state tuned for the beginning of the Round of 32 this morning (Sat 3/19) with Regions 1 and 3 tipping off again, followed by 2 and 4 on Sun 3/20.
About March Meowdneess: 2021 Summary & 2022 Updates
Hi there – Harris from Catfluence here. Before I get into the 2021 Summary and 2022 Updates, I’ll give a brief background about what “March Meowdness” is and how it came about.
In the early stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic, like many others, I was stuck working from home, couldn’t really go anywhere, and had a lottt more time on my hands. The NCAA College Basketball Tournament had been cancelled, but I still had the urge to fill out a bracket for something, and I came up with the idea for a bracket of the top cat accounts on IG.
The accounts are seeded 1-16 in four “regions” based on follower count. The way it works is for each round I’ll share the matchups as polls to the @Catfluence IG story. Followers and fans will vote on which account they want to win, and after 24 hours the account with more votes will advance to the next round.
There will not be a play-in game, but otherwise, everything will follow the real-life men’s college basketball tournament timeline. 2020 was all kind of thrown together last minute, and while a lot more planning went into 2021, there were still a lot of lessons learns and some changes coming to this year.
One major change will be that the competition will, unfortunately, be limited to USA-based accounts only. This is largely in part because of both supply chain shortages and the increase in shipping costs. It’s simply too expensive for myself and for brands to ship out the prizes to the winners internationally, which I bit the bullet on last year, but costs have gone up even more since then.
Last year’s champion, Moss, will sadly not be able to repeat as the winner, but Smush, who finished first in 2020 and runner up last year, will look to regain the throne. Brands will also be shipping out their prizes to winners individually, rather than me gathering all the prizes and shipping them together in one package. These changes are the only way for me to scale this, and I hope everyone understands – I am very sorry to anyone who is left out this year!
That being said, I would also like to express my gratitude to all the amazing brands who have agreed to sponsor prizes for the Final Four this year. More on each brand is below, and they’ll be featured on the bracket and in content Catfluence social channels throughout the tournament.
We’re still accepting submissions, so if you’d like to enter your cat Instagram account to compete, please fill out this short form. Once spaces are filled and the seeds are chosen, the bracket will be added here to be filled out and submitted. Prizes will also be given out to accounts who fill out a bracket and share it to their IG stories. Updates to this blog post will be made following each round.
Best of luck everyone!!!
2022 Preview
March Meowdness is back and better than ever! Even more brands are on board to sponsor prizes for the Final Four and Tournament Champion, and many of the top accounts from last year have returned. You can scroll down to read a summary of last year as well as to see all of this years’ brand sponsors.
Several accounts who made it as far as the Sweet 16 last year will be looking to get back to that point this year and get further now that 2022’s contest is USA-based accounts only and @mosstherat, the reigning champion, cannot participate.
Returning Sweet 16 accounts include @unatheadventurecat, @elliemcat, @sirsimonaofsays, @blu.bluragdoll, @bambiandfosters, @chuckandsophia, @louis_the_kitten_prince, @thejunocat, who is back for the third year in a row, and @venustwofacecat, who leads the pack with 2 million followers.
One account to watch is @abdulscats, who entered in 2021 with 1.5k followers, but has experienced tremendous growth since, with over 176k followers to date! Another large account to watch is @smushofficial, who took home the crown in 2020 and fell in the finals to Moss in 2021, so you never know what happens with upsets in March and the power of the internet.
After each round, there will be a new summary posted to the top of this blog with an updated bracket. Check out the timeline below and check out the bracket to take a look at the regional matchups.
Key Dates:
- Selection Sunday: March 13
- First round: March 17-18
- Second round: March 19-20
- Sweet 16: March 24-25
- Elite Eight: March 26-27
- Final Four: April 2
- Championship matchup: April 4
2022 Catfluence March Meowdness Sponsors
Bad Cat Coffee Company
Bad Cat was founded by Traci and inspired by her beloved cat, Peaches!
Bad Cat Coffee Co. serves locally roasted, coffee, espresso, cat-themed lattes and so much more at the Morgan Street Food Hall, 411 W. Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. They also have an online store.
They also ship anywhere in the USA and deliver in their local area in North Carolina. They will be giving a bag of ground coffee, a t-shirt, and a travel mug to the first-place winner!
Catfluence
Catfluence is a brand dedicated to cat influencers, influencers with cats, and more!
We’ll be putting up shirts, mugs, stickers, hats, and other merch from our store as prizes to the Final Four.
Fat Cat Foods
Orlando-based Fat Cat Gourmet Foods is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Eyal Goldshmid and Deborah Moskowitz, two long-time foodies who made their passion for exploring flavorful and fiery food their full-time profession.
Their award-winning sauces focus on that magical middle ground where flavor and fire meet. Their products feature exotic flavor combinations, all-natural ingredients, and heat levels ranging from mild to super-hot. They are purr-fect for grilling, marinating, dipping, and more.
Deborah and Eyal had a cat named Tiggy, who is no longer with us, but at one point got up to 23 pounds, hence the name “Fat Cat”. They will give a three-pack of their hot sauces to the winner!
FIWOTTTDA
FIWOTTTDA® is a home appliance brand with over 10 years of experience in air purification products. The product range includes air purifiers, commercial ozone generators, etc. It provides a full range of indoor air quality equipment-based solutions in technology, such as air purifiers, humidifiers, air disinfection spas, heating, and cooling.
They have conducted extensive research and development on internal filtration technology, which has also enhanced their capabilities and expertise. They are giving a $20 gift card to their website to the first-place winner.
Inspire Unity
Due to the seemingly negative world we live in, Inspire Unity was created by college students Jason and Noah to bring people together through the things we love!
They have created a series of online projects has created a way to unite people despite daily challenges and differences we all face. Each project will consist of thousands of pictures submitted by people all over the world. Each photo will be coupled with a donation and be uploaded to the collage of the designated project. The donations from each upload will be used to help fund a cause/organization connected to the project.
Their first project consists of their adored furry friends – cats – specifically, Fur Angels Rescue Shelter (FARS) a 501(c)(3) foster-based nonprofit in Toledo, Ohio. They will be giving away a beanie and a free upload to their cat collage.
Juvenia Pets
JUVENIA PETS is a nutritional supplement based on Resveratrol (powerful antioxidant of natural origin) unique on the market that delays the general aging of dogs.
In addition, it is the ideal accompaniment in the treatment of chronic diseases. They will be donating a bottle of Juvenia Cats Gel to the Final Four.
Litter Genie
Litter Genie® cat litter disposal system is the ultimate, hassle-free solution for controlling cat litter odors. Keeping you – and your cat – happy.
Each of the Final Four competitors will receive a Litter Genie XL Pail and the winner will receive a swag pack of branded products!
Living Art USA
Living Art USA was founded in 2010 by Jane Morocco. Jane is an industry leader as well as an accomplished author, environmentalist, philanthropist, and community activist.
Living Art features luscious, low maintenance plant varieties perfect for any urban growing environment that are pet and child-Safe.
The winner will receive a plant of choice – Money Tree (Pachira Trunk) or Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea).
Oskar & Klaus
Oskar was a blind cat who sadly passed away in 2018. His sidekick and best friend is known as “The Klaus.” Also part of the family are blind cats George and Juno, who made a run in our tournament last year!
Oskar & Klaus has their own online store with merch, stickers, books, and more! Their “Mission to Cataria” book was an official selection for “Story Time From Space”, and was read by astronaut Ricky Arnold from the International Space Station.
For this years’ prizes, they will be giving away a special prize pack with some pawesome goodies!
PETKIT
PETKIT Network Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 2013, is a high-tech company dedicated to designing and producing smart products for pets.
The company has rapidly developed into one of the world’s leading technology-engaged companies in the pet industry. Supported by their award-winning design and technology team, their goal is to provide elegant, sustainable, and cost-effective products and services, which they do to over 30 countries across the world.
The winner will receive several products from their online store, including Fresh Element Solo, Eversweet Solo, Breezy Dome, and Lifted Pet Bed all together.
Pizzacat
You’ve probably seen The Pizza Cat floating around the internet, well they are the original creators of this viral kitty!
They make hilarious original memes and videos with their two cats, Pizza and Cheeto, who both participated in the Meowdness the past two years. They also run the IG account @chonksdointhings.
Check out the Pizza Cat Party Website to learn more as well as the Uncle Grumpy Inc Esty store for merch. Stickers will be sent out to our finalists!
Purradise Ranch
Purradise Ranch is a sanctuary for desperate house cats and a non-profit 501(c)3 organization located in Phoenix, AZ, operated by Priscilla Dean – President, Felix G. Ray – Treasurer, and Roz Deason – Secretary.
The ranch is home to over 75 cats who roam freely in a one-acre, specially-fenced and loving environment for the rest of their lives. All of the cats are free to come and go as they please, except for a few kittens who live in the Hacienda – but they now have their own catio to enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather.
Each finalist will get a copy of VoCATbulary Words: What Part of “Meow” Do You Not Understand?!, written by Priscilla and available on Amazon. They made a pawesome promo video too!
Saveplace
saveplace is a manufacturer of Home, Pet, Kids, Adults goods… And it all started with the idea of a hammock in a dream!
The idea was born in the light of daylight in 2014. The first collection of hammocks was sewn by the founder herself. Now the sewing company in Lithuania sews the highest quality goods of the patented brand saveplace® for homes, pets, children and adults.
They will be providing a Chair/Table Hammock and Ninja Plush Cat Toy to the winner.
Shameless Pets
Shameless Pets is a fun and sustainable pet treat brand using upcycled fruits and veggies!
They have many pawesome treats for dogs and cats including flavors such as Catnip ‘n Chill, Yam Good Salmon, and More Lobster, Cheese.
The champion of March Mewodness will receive a year’s supply of treats ($140 value)!
Sweet Dream Pet Baskets
Based in Tokya, Japan, Sweet Dream Pet Baskets was founded by Deniz Aygün Benba, an nter-disciplinary artist from Istanbul, Turkey.
One she started crocheting a basket for herself, her cats Pusheen and Frost were sitting in them, and after that basket, she kept making more and more. They are the only brand worldwide using up-cycled t-shirt yarn to knit baskets for pets, and their techniques and patterns are all original, inspired by ancient tapestry patterns, as well as modern styles and symbols.
They also have an amazing ambassador program that we encourage you to check out if you’re looking to get involved with a brand and grow your cat account. They will be providing a cat collar to the first place winner.
Uproot Clean
Uproot Clean makes easy to use, effective, and affordable Patent Pending lint/pet hair cleaner that works on clothes, bedding, carpets, furniture, and more! All that you need to say goodbye to your lint and pet hair woes!
They will be providing a bundle set with 1x Uproot Cleaner Pro, 1x Uproot Cleaner Mini and 1x Uproot Cleaner Max to each of the Final Four accounts.
Vital Cat
A balanced diet of healthy, raw cat food can provide relief for your cat’s dry skin and coat while also improving oral health (helping promote strong teeth and fight bad breath).
Vital Cat® offers only limited ingredient products—raw cat food and treats—so your cat experiences all of the possible health benefits of a raw diet. They have Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food, Frozen Raw Cat Food, along with snacks, treats, and supplements.
They will be providing some of their food and treats to the Final Four accounts!
1st – $125
- Freeze-Dried Beef & Chicken Dinner Patties – $18.49
- Freeze-Dried Chicken Mini Nibs – $24.89
- Freeze-Dried Pork Dinner Patties – $16.99
- Freeze-Dried Turkey Mini Nibs – $26.99
- Freeze-Dried Chicken Topper – $14.49
- Freeze-Dried Minnow Cat Treats – $6.49
- Freeze-Dried Ahi Tuna – $6.49
- Freeze-Dried Chicken Giblets – $6.49
- Freeze-Dried Chicken Hearts – $6.49
2nd – $75
- Turkey Mini Nib – $26.99
- Pork Dinner Patties – $16.99
- Chicken Topper – $14.49
- Minnow Cat Treats – $6.49
- Chicken Giblets Cat Treats – $6.49
- Rabbit Bites Cat Treats – $6.49
3rd – $50.00
- Beef & Chicken Dinner Patties – $18.49
- Turkey Mini Nibs – $17.99
- Minnow Cat Treats – $6.49
Wag Source
Wag Source is a woman-owned and operated business, founded by a dog-mom in search of a healthier way to treat her two dogs, and ultimately, for all humans who are searching for the best supplements for their dogs and cats!
They have a Calming Aid for Cats and a Kidney Support for cats, and each account in the Final Four will get a jar of their choice. First place will also receive a $50 Wag Source gift card.
Insta-famous Pets: Catfluence Featured in Jersey's Best Magazine
Keri Kelly of Jersey's Best Magazine wrote this outstanding article on "Jersey Insta-famous: Meet the N.J. pets pawing, purring and posing their way to superstardom", which featured Elliot & Olivia (our original Catfluencers) and made mention of Catfluence!
Check it out:
Pawareness Podcast #61: Social Media for Cats
Recently made an appearance on episode #61 of the Pawareness Podcast with Kris McCauley.
We talked about how Catfluence started after I got involved in digital marketing in 2014, then leveraging my cats Instagram account to create a digital platform for cats and influencers who raise awareness about them. We discussed my work in affiliate marketing and some recent brand partnership, as well as future plans, which include diving deeper into the NFT and web3 realm.
Check out the full video interview on YouTube below, or listen on Spotify, Google Play, or Apple Podcasts.
“Maintaining an online presence for cats is a good way to bond with them. That includes doing photoshoots together, giving them treats, and playing with them.” - Harris Baker
Catfluence Featured in Shoutout Arizona Magazine
Harris Baker, Catfluence Founder and Chief Feline Officer, was interviewed by Shoutout Arizona Magazine for a segment on inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives. The segment is titled "Insider Insights: What They Know and We Don’t", and it was such a great honor to be featured with some other amazing individuals and discuss the inspiration behind Catfluence and what the future holds!
Check out the full interview here!
About Shoutout Arizona
Shoutout Arizona is part of the Los Angeles-based Voyage Group of Magazines and its flagship publication, VoyageLA, which was started in 2015. Since then they’ve grown to almost a dozen cities, generated millions of page views, and helped tens of thousands of entrepreneurs and creatives share their stories. They’ve built a vibrant and highly engaged community and go beyond just stories. By focusing on topics relevant to almost everyone, they hope to inspire important conversations within the community and do so in ways that put artists, creatives, and local businesses at the center of these conversations.
Pet Retail World Pop Up Event in NYC Presented by Buddy-Belts
The Pet Retail World Pop Up Event, presented by Buddy-Belts is back for NYC Pet Parents and their pups.
Enjoy FREE samples from over 50 TOP pet brands and receive a goodie bag valued at over $200.
Light food and drinks to be served. Pets attend FREE.
873 Broadway (3rd Floor) NY, NY. 10003. 12-5PM.
[Comic Life Of Pets] Paint Your Pet In Pop Art Pawtrait
Halloween is just around the corner and you and your pet can get in on the fun! Give them a spooky cute look by painting them in pop art style!
On Sunday, October 24th @ 4:30 pm, our friends over at Happy Creative Dig are hosting "Comic Life of Pets", a paint your pet Halloween-themed workshop led by Megan Elizabeth (@meganpaints) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn!
Sign up by following this link, and be sure to use our code CATFLUENCE20 for 20% off
We'll also be in attendance and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Muddy Paws Rescue NYC!
Inspire Unity: Contribute to a Collage for a Good Cause
Written by: Jason and Noah, Inspire Unity Founders
Hey everyone! First off we wanted to say, we’re extremely excited @Catfluence asked us to be part of their blog and we’re honored to share the project we’ve been creating over the past few months or so for every single cat lover out there.
That being said, let’s get into it!! We’re Inspire Unity and our goal is to unify people through things we have in common, all while creating an awesome, fun, interactive, unique way of donating to good causes for as little as $1! This is made possible through the mosaic collages on our website.
A mosaic collage is thousands of small little pictures coming together to create a larger one. Which is a direct representation of how we should be as humans. All us little individual people joining together to realize we’re all here on earth experiencing this thing called “life” TOGETHER!!
Now, you’re probably asking how this came about. I’m here to answer, step by step, but it might look a little confusing so follow along.
- The world has gone through a crazy time the past year or so with 76% of people around the world feeling that their country is divided.
- My family recently adopted a siamese cat with feline leukemia and we absolutely fell in love with her (She’s doing amazing btw).
- Laying in bed at night really gives you some great thoughts.
Take all three of those, put them in a mixing pot, and there you have it, Inspire Unity was born! We decided it was time to take a stand and create something that will allow people to physically see (through the collages) that we are 100% capable of ridding division, provide a more fun way of donating to organizations rather than the boring traditional donating websites (boringgggg), and do this all through things we love and have in common.
Due to the recent adoption of our family cat, my partner and I decided to run our very first project for cat lovers all over the world. How this works is people go to our website and create an account. They are then able to upload their picture(s) of their cat(s) to the collage and give their donation!
Whether it’s $1 or $1,000,000 it is all much appreciated and will impact so many lives. For donations $1-$24.99 you are able to get your picture on the collage, $25-$49.99 you get your picture on the collage and an Inspire Unity beanie, $50-$99.99 you get your picture on the collage and an Inspire Unity hoodie, and $100+ you get your picture on the collage and an Inspire Unity blanket! (All shipping can only be done within the US)
This final paragraph is to anyone within the cat community. We need your help, we cannot do this alone. The world is going through tough times and it’s time to stand up. We chose cats as our first project due to the strength that comes from within the community. The amount of uploads to the site determines the impact we make on our partnered shelter.
The shelter is Fur Angels Rescue Shelter out of Toledo, OH. Our goal for this first project is 1 MILLION uploads and it’s only possible if we come together and make it happen. We would be able to add multiple shelters to that list and impact thousands of lives. WE NEED YOU! Go to the site and upload your pictures today. Thank you!
Website: inspire-unity.com
Instagram: @inspireunity_
Twitter: @Inspireunity20
TikTok: @inspire.unity
My First Encounter with Cat Magic & How I'm Bringing it to the Screen
Written by: Sarah Jayne Portelli, Director/Producer - Cats of Malta
HELP FUND PRODUCTION ON KICKSTARTER
There are many reasons why I believe that felines are pure magic. The strongest reason I can find however to support this bold statement does not lie in the ancient scriptures left behind by the Pharaohs who worshipped cats like Gods.
Put simply, I have experienced first hand that cats have this natural, innate sense of emotional deepness. An intuition, an ability to tap into human emotions and the human world that's stronger and unmatched by the human race and it lies in their overall existence. The first time I witnessed the power of feline intuition and their ability and tap into human emotions was many years ago while I grieved for the sudden loss of my childhood friend Samantha. At the time I was living in Sydney with my boyfriend and his house cat, Mittens. The news coming from back home in Melbourne hit me like a ton of bricks.
Mittens was not a friendly housemate, quite the opposite most of the time. The feline was a former stray turned live in house cat. She was an overweight and often defensive, smoky grey feline, a character to be wary of and not pat often. This cat would not let you get close to her without lashing out and Mittens, like other cats had her daily routine which we humans had to follow. What I was yet to discover was that there was more to Mittens, her outlandish behaviour and demanding temperament.
Mittens' morning routine would include rushing into the kitchen first thing, boisterous as soon as she saw we were up. She would head but the kitchen cupboard door at least twice, meow loudly, pacing around or circling our feet if we were there before her. Her mission clear - the cupboard contained cat food, and she wanted to eat.
The morning following the news, her behaviour, routine and her approach towards me shifted.
While standing in the kitchen, leaning my back on the bench unable to move, numb with sadness, tears flowing in big giant sobs, I looked up at Mittens, whose large frame had appeared in the doorway. We had a moment, me an this rebel cat. We held each others gaze. She did not approach for her food that morning and it was not because I was blocking the cupboard. That had never stopped her in the past.
That morning, Mittens sat unmoved and silenced in the doorway, quietly she looking up at me, and I down at her while continuing with my personal grieving. That day she did not do her usual routine, instead Mittens waited until I was able to provide her food. Mitten's did however spend a lot of time watching me quietly from a distance. She was normally talkative, a bit unruly in her actions, but that was on pause while I grieved. She did this for a few days and I, this human, this dog person who understood nothing about cats realised that she knew I was in emotional pain.
She knew.
Back in Melbourne, while attending Samantha's wake, her husband Jason revealed to me that their three cats had been sleeping on Samantha's pillow, huddled together every night since she had passed. Ever since Samantha had left home for work on her motorcycle that morning and not returned home to her family. They missed her, they sensed Jason's loss and grief, and like Mittens, these felines knew.
These two instances, along with other stories I have heard from friends about unexplainable moments they have witnessed their cats take part in revealed a truth to me – cats have an intuition that humans can not match. They feel emotions and they absorb human vibration. They are magic in animal form. Cat magic is a thing.
No wonder Egyptians held these mystical creatures in high regard. Ever since that encounter with Mittens and Jason's revelation, I've been fascinated with cats and their power. My realisation further strengthened by stories, unbelievable to some, relayed from friends about their cats interacting with spirits of family members long gone from this world, playing with them as they did when the deceased were physically in our realm.
Now that we are in the midst of a pandemic, which has lasted over a year, the human way of life and our routines have been thrown into utter chaos. There is a rise of uncertainty on so many fronts, the anxiety that comes with financial insecurity and a rise in mental illness and unbalance is what most of us are experiencing lately.
Luckily we have cats to step in as emotional healers.
Last year, while directing my companies documentary Cats of Malta, about the stray cats that live on the island, I was often reminded by the interview subjects of that experience I shared with Mittens.
With documentary filmmaking, a director goes into the job thinking about what kind of story could come out of these interviews. In the moment, you direct the subjects and the action as best you can. I had set questions and an overall vibe to was aim for, however documentary varies to narrative story telling, as I was quickly learning. The story comes out later with documentary, when a story thread is found.
Watching back the footage we discovered cats are emotional healers – and collectively Malta's stray cats are somewhat like Shaman. Personally, I find that spending time with cats is calming and meditative. While filming and even prior to the documentary process while I volunteering my time at cat sanctuaries, this was always the case.
The story thread for Cats of Malta was simple and plain in the end – an 'of course' moment that came to my-coproducer and I while speaking to our human interview subjects and from watching the footage back days later. Cats, with all their quirks, strange temperament, the nocturnal need to hunt while we sleep, and their unapologetic cattitude offer humans so much. Felines provide unconditional love, their existence alone, coupled with their natural emotional intuition, plus their calming purrs have the ability to calm, heal human trauma and contribute to a reduction in stress - they improve health. That is their cat magic. Their reason for existence.
All hail cats!
I dare you to watch a cat video on YouTube or TikTok and not smile or burst out laughing.
While at The Cat Village Spinola Bay interviewing Roza for Cats of Malta, she happily and matter-of-factly stated that “for the little that you give them, they give you so much. Cats extend life”. Personally, I can't argue with that.
The now undeniable truth is that I've experienced cat magic and it's bewitched me, transforming me into a cat convert and I'm more than okay with it. It's easy to understand why there are so many proud cat owners in this new found community of cat people I'm now a part of. I'm super excited to share Cats of Malta with this community of people and cats, and the world really soon!
There is currently a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to help Sarah Jayne and her company Nexus Production Group complete Cats of Malta in the post-production stages. You can watch the video, read the story behind the film, share and contribute here – www.CatsofMaltaFilm.com
HELP FUND PRODUCTION ON KICKSTARTER