Cat Chic Week 7: Michelle Furbacher

Happy Halloween cat people! Today’s the day you get to put on a costume and attempt to dress your cat in something ridiculous. Sure they might pretend they don’t like it, but deep down they’re thrilled to be included in the festivities. If forcing your cat into a cute outfit isn’t on your Halloween agenda, a quick Google search of cats wearing costumes won’t disappoint.

Alright, down to business. Today we’re introducing you to Michelle and Jesse from Catfé Vancouver. Opening in November, this much anticipated cat café – Vancouver’s first - has been Michelle’s passion project for the past couple of years. In addition to serving refreshments and selling “meowchandise”, Catfé will act as a foster home for 8 – 12 adoptable rescue cats from the SPCA. Not only will it provide a temporary home for cats who would otherwise be housed in cages, Catfé will be donating a percentage of their profits to different charities every month. Simply put, It’s going to be purrrrfection.

Opening a cat café is a huge undertaking, involving no shortage of resolve, passion and patience. Despite her inner tenacity, Michelle exudes kindness, compassion and humility. Her love of cats seems calm and unapologetic. As we do, we asked both ladies to comment on the crazy cat lady stereotype and share how they stack up in the nerdy, introverted and antisocial department.

“I feel like I know a lot of extroverted cat people who also wear a lot of cat prints,” said Jesse. “But I don’t feel like that’s always the case. I know a lot of cat people, so I don’t feel the need to prove myself. I could talk about cats all the time.”

Turning the argument on its head, Michelle added, “In a way cats are just little people, so if you’re socializing with cats you aren’t being antisocial!”

She does have a point there - why do we limit the term “socializing” to humans?? Both ladies’ responses highlighted the fact that it’s not really important where you fall on the introverted/extroverted, antisocial/social scale; what matters (deep life lesson coming up) is that you stay true to yourself. You want to wear a sweater with a giant cat head on it? Go for it! You want to sit in a room with 8 cats and hide from life for a bit? Why not! It doesn’t have to mean anything. It can just be you being you – nothing more.