The rise of the crazy cat lady….

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For a number of years, friends and family have been buying me cat related gifts. Obviously, this isn’t a bad thing. I have noticed a theme though; that if you are as passionate about cats as I am, you are likely to be awarded the label of “crazy” because of it. This got me wondering, why has society decided that being so invested in the safety and emotional wellbeing of one specific species is such a negative thing it’s deemed insane?

I will agree that some individuals who fixate in this manner are potentially trying to fulfil a role with their obsession that could be unhealthy. But for the most part, the people I know that are passionate about feline welfare are actually pretty functional human beings. A lot of them are extremely intelligent, have “normal” jobs or careers and still find the time to care for cats to an extremely high level. Some of them are even rescue workers who run sanctuary for cats from their own home.

Does that make them crazy? Or does it mean they’re recognising that people are letting a species down that they’re extremely fond of and trying to rectify that issue?

In 2009 at the Hot Docs Festival in Canada, a piece called Cat Ladies was shown. The woman behind the footage, a lady called Christie Callan-Jones was quoted as saying “we wanted to show there’s a lot more to the stereotype and the women who are labelled it.”

The piece is a fascinating insight into four women’s lives which are extremely diverse. They all have one common focus; cats.

If you’re interested in watching the documentary, the link to Youtube is featured below. As for me, I think I’ll continue to accept the title of “crazy cat lady” with pride…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdMIUYqochI

 

 

One of the less flattering crazy cat lady gifts….