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I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)
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I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)

I Photograph Girls And Their Cats To Prove Cat Ladies Are Awesome (16 Pics)I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype (16 Pics)I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)I Photograph Girls And Their Cats To Show Cat Ladies In A Positive Light (16 Pics)I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)I Photograph Ladies With Their Cats To Debunk The Crazy Cat Lady Stereotype, And Here Are My Favorite Photos (16 Pics)
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I started the “Girls and Their Cats” photo series on Instagram in 2015 as a way to debunk the crazy cat lady stereotype and showcase cat-lover women in a positive light.

I have since photographed more than 300 cat people and their rescued or adopted pet cats in cities across the U.S.

I have a book coming out in August 2019 and wanted to share a few of my favorite photos with you along with snippets from their stories, which you can read in full in the book.

More info: Instagram | girlsandtheircats.com | girlsandtheircats.com

Aisha Awadallah, Alex, Xena, and Tigger

“My three adorable cats are all reflections of me and represent the full spectrum of my personality and phases of my life.”

Hannah Shaw, Coco and Eloise

“Coco was my inspiration for getting involved in cat adoption and shifting all of my advocacy efforts to focus on neonatal kittens and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Raising her taught me how great a need there is for educational resources about kitten care.”

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“Eloise is a shy girl. She’s not keen on new people or new experiences, which makes our bond even more special.”

Sara Anderson and Loki

“Loki is incredibly affectionate, cuddly, and chatty. He loves napping on our bellies, eating chicken and scrambled eggs, and receiving hearty head scratches.”

Monica Choy, Linus and Zorro

“Linus, who’s named after the Zen Peanuts character, has a lot of poise, and I often think of him as a cat model. He’s always posing with his paws and tail positioned just so.”

“Zorro is more standoffish with strangers, but he is loyal and tender to those he’s chosen as his people.”

Jamilah King and Smarty

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“Smarty is the most communicative little being I’ve ever known, and while it’s not great that he purrs in my face at five in the morning, I try to look at it as him just being very open about his needs. And I can learn from that!”

Alexandra Lyles-King, Lois and Maxine

“Every morning, I wake up wearing a cat bikini: one snoozing across my chest, one on my hips. They are the best.”

Lauren Leavell and Doo Doo

“Doo Doo has that keen emotional sensor most cats have. I don’t think I have ever had to be sick or sad by myself since we met.”

Éva Goicochea, Bea and Winnie

“Bea and Winnie are very yin and yang. Bea is shy and quiet with a grumpy streak, while Winnie is absolutely a ham, always happy and up for playing. Together, they are balanced, and we imagine Winnie encouraging Bea not to take life so seriously.”

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JiaJia Fei and Coco

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“In many ways, she’s also grown to fit the stereotype of pets who resemble their owners. Her black-and-white look pairs perfectly with my deliberately monochromatic wardrobe and bedroom, where she spends about 90 percent of her time.”

Bethany Watson, Loki, and Minerva

“They’re both the sweetest kittens you could ever hope to meet. I’m so grateful we all found each other.”

Sam Ushiro and Sabbath

“I never considered having a cat before I met her, and honestly, I still wouldn’t, because the only cat for me is Sabbath.”

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“My favorite thing to tell people is how she has her own special chair in the living room where she sits and watches everything, like a queen on her throne, keeping the court in order. ”

Anka Lavriv and Petey on the cover of ‘Girls and Their Cats’

“Petey is the light of my life. He is bossy, cranky, sassy, and courageous and takes no s**t from anyone.”

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BriAnne Wills

BriAnne Wills

Author, Community member

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Photographer based in Brooklyn, NY.

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BriAnne Wills

BriAnne Wills

Author, Community member

Photographer based in Brooklyn, NY.

Airinga

Airinga

Moderator, Community member

Read more »

Airinga has a degree in Marketing from a Top 10 UK University, which she puts to good use as a digital advertising analyst at Bored Panda. A self-proclaimed writer of fantasy stories (is yet to finish a single one). Typical introvert. An avid fan of anime and manga. Fascinated by ancient history, astronomy, and artificial intelligence.

Read less »

Airinga

Airinga

Moderator, Community member

Airinga has a degree in Marketing from a Top 10 UK University, which she puts to good use as a digital advertising analyst at Bored Panda. A self-proclaimed writer of fantasy stories (is yet to finish a single one). Typical introvert. An avid fan of anime and manga. Fascinated by ancient history, astronomy, and artificial intelligence.

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Unlikely
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very pleased to see so many black cats in this thread ♥

Lisa Casserly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love black cats, they are my favorites. I have two now, long haired ones, a mother and her son. But, I've got... (Cringing, I am becoming the crazy cat lady, because I keep taking in special needs or strays!) 15 of them all together. And, I have to be honest... I don't know if there was EVER a cat I didn't love, no matter what color they are.

Load More Replies...
DP von Icecream
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice advert for a coffee table book :-) But honestly I prefer this 10.000 times over another of those crappy Amazon ads!

Eunice Probert
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Loved all of the pics. (I especially loved the black cat named Sabbath. Very witty!)

Gipsy Kings fan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The stereotype of the "crazy cat lady" usually evokes older women; these photos counter the stereotype by featuring young women. Older women can be just as smart, beautiful and cool as these ladies, in their own way, so photos of some mature cat ladies should be included.

elfin
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As far as I am aware there is no corresponding "Crazy Dog Man" no matter how many dogs a guy has or how much he loves and pampers them. Wonder why.

Firework
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's because of sexism and people preferring dogs because dogs are for extroverts and extroverts are the minority.

Load More Replies...
Diver Driver
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it me or am I stretching that these women resemble their cats?

John Smith
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

""Smarty is the most communicative little being I’ve ever known, and while it’s not great that he purrs in my face at five in the morning, I try to look at it as him just being very open about his needs. And I can learn from that!" Bwaaaaahahahahaha !!!

April Simnel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw, Hannah Shaw, the Kitten Lady! Her videos are cool (and since I'm allergic to cats, they are my go-to for when I need a kitten fix).

Daria Z
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So heartwarming! In a perfect world, every cat and dog would have their loving home.

Trish Greene
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am THRILLED that so many of these rockin' women have black cats! They are my all-time favorites!

Thredith Undomiel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have adopted 4 cats so far: Edgar, Allan, Poe, and Max. Two of them are black (Poe and Max). I think the stigma of the "crazy cat lady" should just vanish. It's nothing but the continuation of the degradation of women for being independent.

Ima Dhamayanti
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you should put Nala Cat on the list.. https://www.instagram.com/nala_cat/?hl=en

Veronica Sjöberg
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol! I love this <3 i've always had a cat in my home but just before my divorce our (ok mine) cat passed away. I wasnt thinking about getting a new one but.... with the kids being away to live with their dad 50% of the time i got so lonely. Tried to fill my spare time with dates, some tinder hook ups and more dates. Then i got myself a cat. Lonely no more. Lol.

tuzdayschild
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So...how'd you get all these crazy ladies to let you photograph them?

Lyop
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me ME MEE!! I belong here!! This was awesome. Just had an argument about me keeping my babies! Had to show them this post!

Jane Campbell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thoroughly enjoy Bored Panda and especially anything to do with animals. It is great to take a few minutes from the reality of the nutty politics going on these days. Thank you.

anarkzie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Odd, all these sane cat ladies appear to live in very white sterile apartments, almost like a mental institute. Joking aside nice pictures.

Yettichild
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She kinda freaked me out a bit. My name is Sara and I have a cat named Loki. And here I thought I was being original when I named him that.

Load More Replies...
comboplush
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see cats and I see a lot of plants. Is this possible? I am living with a ton of houseplants and would love to have cats, but read that the plants are either toxic or won't survive. Is having cats with plants really possible?

DP von Icecream
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

.......(sigh) yes off course. Just like kids you actually NEED TO EDUCATE your pet too.

Load More Replies...
Michał Jastrzębski
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

tbh, "crazy" in "crazy cat lady" is in her head / in what she does, not in her looks. A picture proves nothing.

Victoria Swift
Community Member
5 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Nope. Looks exactly like we all imagined...The stereotype is rainbow color hair, "empowered" (aka annoying) feminists, slightly over weight, with hords of cats who is always trying to be overly "unique" (just like everyone else). These all hit that stereotype dead on. Do they not realize it?

Miguel Rosas
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Yeah will look at the blonde with tattoos all over her body like she hates her skin. It looks dumb. People like that either want acceptance by people looking at their tatts or don't like their bodies. What a waste of money. You're a walking picture.

Coolleen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't try to comment on someone you know nothing about. Some people get tattoos because *gasp* THEY WANT TATTOOS! Did your money pay for her tattoos? No? Then it's none of your business! Hannah is an amazing person.

Load More Replies...
Leodavinci
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Less debunking and more like verifying, I'd say. ;-)

Unlikely
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very pleased to see so many black cats in this thread ♥

Lisa Casserly
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love black cats, they are my favorites. I have two now, long haired ones, a mother and her son. But, I've got... (Cringing, I am becoming the crazy cat lady, because I keep taking in special needs or strays!) 15 of them all together. And, I have to be honest... I don't know if there was EVER a cat I didn't love, no matter what color they are.

Load More Replies...
DP von Icecream
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice advert for a coffee table book :-) But honestly I prefer this 10.000 times over another of those crappy Amazon ads!

Eunice Probert
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Loved all of the pics. (I especially loved the black cat named Sabbath. Very witty!)

Gipsy Kings fan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The stereotype of the "crazy cat lady" usually evokes older women; these photos counter the stereotype by featuring young women. Older women can be just as smart, beautiful and cool as these ladies, in their own way, so photos of some mature cat ladies should be included.

elfin
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As far as I am aware there is no corresponding "Crazy Dog Man" no matter how many dogs a guy has or how much he loves and pampers them. Wonder why.

Firework
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's because of sexism and people preferring dogs because dogs are for extroverts and extroverts are the minority.

Load More Replies...
Diver Driver
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it me or am I stretching that these women resemble their cats?

John Smith
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

""Smarty is the most communicative little being I’ve ever known, and while it’s not great that he purrs in my face at five in the morning, I try to look at it as him just being very open about his needs. And I can learn from that!" Bwaaaaahahahahaha !!!

April Simnel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw, Hannah Shaw, the Kitten Lady! Her videos are cool (and since I'm allergic to cats, they are my go-to for when I need a kitten fix).

Daria Z
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So heartwarming! In a perfect world, every cat and dog would have their loving home.

Trish Greene
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am THRILLED that so many of these rockin' women have black cats! They are my all-time favorites!

Thredith Undomiel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have adopted 4 cats so far: Edgar, Allan, Poe, and Max. Two of them are black (Poe and Max). I think the stigma of the "crazy cat lady" should just vanish. It's nothing but the continuation of the degradation of women for being independent.

Ima Dhamayanti
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you should put Nala Cat on the list.. https://www.instagram.com/nala_cat/?hl=en

Veronica Sjöberg
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol! I love this <3 i've always had a cat in my home but just before my divorce our (ok mine) cat passed away. I wasnt thinking about getting a new one but.... with the kids being away to live with their dad 50% of the time i got so lonely. Tried to fill my spare time with dates, some tinder hook ups and more dates. Then i got myself a cat. Lonely no more. Lol.

tuzdayschild
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So...how'd you get all these crazy ladies to let you photograph them?

Lyop
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me ME MEE!! I belong here!! This was awesome. Just had an argument about me keeping my babies! Had to show them this post!

Jane Campbell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thoroughly enjoy Bored Panda and especially anything to do with animals. It is great to take a few minutes from the reality of the nutty politics going on these days. Thank you.

anarkzie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Odd, all these sane cat ladies appear to live in very white sterile apartments, almost like a mental institute. Joking aside nice pictures.

Yettichild
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She kinda freaked me out a bit. My name is Sara and I have a cat named Loki. And here I thought I was being original when I named him that.

Load More Replies...
comboplush
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see cats and I see a lot of plants. Is this possible? I am living with a ton of houseplants and would love to have cats, but read that the plants are either toxic or won't survive. Is having cats with plants really possible?

DP von Icecream
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

.......(sigh) yes off course. Just like kids you actually NEED TO EDUCATE your pet too.

Load More Replies...
Michał Jastrzębski
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

tbh, "crazy" in "crazy cat lady" is in her head / in what she does, not in her looks. A picture proves nothing.

Victoria Swift
Community Member
5 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Nope. Looks exactly like we all imagined...The stereotype is rainbow color hair, "empowered" (aka annoying) feminists, slightly over weight, with hords of cats who is always trying to be overly "unique" (just like everyone else). These all hit that stereotype dead on. Do they not realize it?

Miguel Rosas
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Yeah will look at the blonde with tattoos all over her body like she hates her skin. It looks dumb. People like that either want acceptance by people looking at their tatts or don't like their bodies. What a waste of money. You're a walking picture.

Coolleen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't try to comment on someone you know nothing about. Some people get tattoos because *gasp* THEY WANT TATTOOS! Did your money pay for her tattoos? No? Then it's none of your business! Hannah is an amazing person.

Load More Replies...
Leodavinci
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Less debunking and more like verifying, I'd say. ;-)

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