What are the names of your cats?
Lucy and Karma
Photo (above): Lucy and Karma. Taken by @catavanning_around . Check out more of their photos on Instagram.
Where is your cat family located in?
California, USA
What are the breeds of your cats?
Their paperwork said “domestic American short hair” so I think that means regular cats!
How old are your cats?
They both just turned 5 years old yesterday!
Where can we find your cats on social media?
On Instagram @catavanning_around
In a few short words/sentences, tell us about your cats' personalities.
Lucy is full of energy and enthusiasm for everything in life - food, play, naps, cuddles, everything. She is up for anything fun! She’s a great athlete and smart too - which makes her quite a mischief. She is super loving and social and doesn’t like to be alone so she is always with me or Karma, or cozying up to house guests.
Karma is my Zen kitty. She has a quiet confidence and sophistication about her and probably secretly wants to be a human. She loves watching everything I do and is curious about human food more than her own. She is very independent but loves cuddles with people and her sister as well, just on her own terms. To my surprise, she is the more adventurous kitty and loves her leash walks outside.
How have your cats transformed your life from the moment you've met them till now?
They’ve opened my heart and have taught me I have so much love to give...not only to them but to humans too! They have been healing to me in that way.
What do your cats mean to you?
They are my family! I am obsessed.
How did you and your cats first meet? Tell it to us in the form of a short story.
5 years ago, a friend of mine fostered a litter of kittens from a local shelter and I came over to play with them. I was never a cat person but I thought they were adorable and it would be cool to foster and have pets in my home on a temporary basis because I didn’t want the full-time commitment of having a pet. So I signed up to foster as well and Lucy (formerly named Kahlua),
Karma and their brother Kingsley became my fosters at 7 weeks old. I had them with me for about 2 or 3 weeks until I had to return them. I cried all the way to the shelter, then on a 7-hour drive to a conference the next day, then to a bunch of my colleagues at the conference, then realized I had to get my kitties back! Their brother had already been adopted so I picked up the two girls as soon as I drove back into town a few days later and we have been a family ever since.
What do you think your cats think of you?
A (loved) servant and human bestie.
Your cats are part of your family. What are some things they do that make you think that consider you part of theirs?
They love to cuddle and are usually in the same room or in close proximity. They also bring me their toys and love to talk my ear off!
What are some accounts your cats like to follow on Instagram?
@roxythe_kitty
@tailofthewild
@olive_the_adventurous
@surfercatmav
@orangeisthenewblackandtan
@numpkinpumpkin
@dashtheorangetabby
@theadventuresofmikeandlily
Why do you feel that it is important to show the world that Cats are Family?
I think people often have certain expectations of pets when it comes to affection or obedience, and cats can sometimes throw people off in those areas. I think cats are more like people in that they are very unique beings all with their own personality, with very specific boundaries that we have to honor.
If we can see and respect them as individual beings and meet them where they are, we can establish a really wonderful and loving relationship with our kitties. They make amazing companions and with a little patience and understanding are actually capable of so many behaviors people typically reserve for dogs.
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