The bumper sticker on a vehicle parked down the street from my house caught my eye with its intriguing message. “I’m Not Anti-Social, But I Talk to My Cats.” This concise statement conveys more than meets the eye.

In the realm of human interaction, I often find myself drawn to the company of my feline companions. While some may perceive this as a sign of social aversion, I assure you that it is not the case. Rather, it is an expression of my deep appreciation for the unique bond that can be formed between a human and a cat.

Being a cat herder and a multi-cat owner is a demanding and time-consuming job. It requires a lot of dedication, care, and attention to ensure the well-being of my feline companions. From feeding and grooming to providing medical care and creating a stimulating environment, there is always something that needs to be done. As a result, I often find myself spending more time with my cats than with other humans.

Valid Reasons Behind My Occasional Antisocial Behavior

Contrary to popular belief, my lack of sociability around other people is not attributable solely to my love for cats. There are valid reasons behind my occasional antisocial behavior.

Busy Schedule

As a highly engaged individual, I’m fortunate to fulfill my personal mission. In this blogging platform, I share my experiences and insights for cat enthusiasts and anyone curious about my unusual cat-related career.

Due to my personal mission, I find myself with limited opportunities for socializing. Instead, I derive utmost satisfaction from dedicating my time to writing and extending support to others.

Cat Herding Widely Misunderstood

Moreover, the world of cat herding and multi-cat ownership is a specialized and niche field. It is not something that is commonly understood or appreciated by people who are not directly involved in it. This can make it difficult to relate to others and to find common ground for conversation. As a result, I sometimes feel like an outsider when I am in social settings with non-cat people.

Inappropriate Remarks and Misgivings

Interacting with certain individuals in veterinary medicine or animal shelters can be challenging due to their disparaging remarks. These comments, which often stem from ignorance and envy, can be frustrating and upsetting. It’s important to remember that these individuals don’t know the full story and are not in a position to make baseless remarks about my work with cats. Their “work days” are spent in a building away from their homes. Not me. If they truly want to understand, they can read my blogging platform, which provides detailed information about my experiences and the number of cats I currently have. I recognize that there are many cat enthusiasts with even more cats than I do.

However, I am not entirely antisocial. I do enjoy spending time with people who share my passion for cats. I find that I can connect with other cat herders and multi-cat owners on a deeper level because we understand each other’s experiences and challenges. We can talk about everything from cat behavior to cat health to the latest cat products and trends. It is refreshing to be able to have conversations with people who truly understand and appreciate my unique job involving cats.

I May Be A Cat Whisperer But..

Contrary to the label of “cat whisperer,” I embrace the term “Cat Witch,” which resonates with me deeply. The rhyme with “witch” reflects a more fitting description of myself. Known for my “Hissy Fits,” I am unafraid to express my thoughts and maintain my stance when necessary. Each instance of receiving inappropriate remarks further fuels the intensity of my Hissy Fits, outwardly manifesting my displeasure.

Jess and The Herd recent update

In recognition of it being one of my most challenging posts to write, I acknowledge that my frustration is intensifying. I will provide a partial account of my story to shed light on the situation between myself and the Herd. To prevent the post from becoming excessively long, it will be presented in a series, requiring you to revisit it for the continuation.

New Volunteer Role

In my role as a volunteer for a new cat rescue group in Missoula, I’ve had the pleasure of fostering a mother cat and her five newborn kittens. They’ve made themselves comfortable in my unoccupied basement apartment, which I’m thrilled to see being put to good use. As a novice kitten caretaker, I’m eagerly learning how to provide them with proper care while also familiarizing myself with the rescue group’s operations.

Another Feline Loss

In a recent and unfortunate turn of events, our beloved mascot, Kitzy the Mascot, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma behind the eye. This development occurred swiftly. Just a few weeks ago, Kitzy underwent a checkup for his third eyelid, which was stuck halfway through the eye. It was indicated that there was no immediate action that could be taken. Unfortunately, last week, Kitzy’s eye became red and swollen. Within 24 hours, the swelling escalated, causing significant concern. As Kitzy is the cat of AniMeals’ Gaia’s Landing program, I communicated my concerns, fearing that the swelling might affect his ability to swallow. 

In light of Kitzy’s condition, the veterinarian presented me with three options. However, surgery and chemotherapy were not viable choices due to his age and history of stomatitis. Having lived with us for five years, he had lost a considerable amount of weight. Faced with the reality of the situation, I opted for end-of-life care. Currently, I am administering pain medication to alleviate his discomfort. Despite his condition, Kitzy can still eat, rest, and enjoy brief strolls on the patio. While his time is limited, I will honor his wishes and let him go when he is ready.

The remainder of the Herd is thriving and have happily been indulging in the recent warm weather outside the fenced garden.

Decisions To Make

Currently, I am juggling several decisions while prioritizing my well-being. I am grateful for the support of both fellow cat enthusiasts and non-cat owners alike.

In the past thirteen months, very soon, I will have lost five of my beloved senior cats. Kitzy would be the last to pass away. Caring for my elderly cats brought me great joy, and I created a comfortable and fulfilling environment for them in their “Cat Paradise.” It is still a shock to me that I will soon no longer have any senior cats. The rest of my cat “Herd” adjusted well to living alongside the seniors. My contrasting experiences of fostering a mother cat and her kittens amidst the profound loss of my beloved senior cats have left me grappling with uncertainties about the future.

Be Kind to Us Cat People

During kitten season, we are overwhelmed with the task of caring for a large feline population. It is disheartening to face criticism for our efforts to assist cats when others engage in irresponsible actions. Critics should address those who abandon cats in the wild, surreptitiously place cats in other cat enthusiasts’ homes, and neglect neutering their cats, as these actions harm the community. Hasty and uninformed criticisms toward us should be avoided. My patience is running thin, and any further criticism will be met with my hissy fit. I am resolute in my belief and will continue my efforts, regardless of other opinions. I ask for kindness and understanding not just for me but for many others who are working overwhelming long hours trying to control the feline population.

Cat People-You Are Not Alone

Attention all cat lovers! I understand your passion and dedication to felines, as well as the challenges you face in advocating for their well-being. You are not alone in your efforts. As a fellow cat enthusiast, I deeply empathize with your struggles and the lack of respect you may encounter from others.

To address this, I propose the creation of a “Cat Parent Support Group Blog.” This platform will serve as a safe space for cat parents to connect, share experiences, seek advice, and support one another. By uniting as a community, we can raise awareness, promote responsible pet ownership, and create a more cat-friendly world.

Join us in this mission! Let’s empower ourselves and make a positive impact on the lives of our feline companions. Or please click on a thumbs up to show your support.

Cat purrs and drools.