When I started The Conscious Cat on March 1, 2009, I really didn’t know what I was doing. I had finished writing Buckley’s Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher, and as a first time author, I knew I needed to do something to “build a platform.” Back then, authors were told to start a blog – so I started a blog. Obviously, I knew I was going to write about cats, but beyond that, I didn’t have much of a plan. I certainly never thought that The Conscious Cat would grow into what it has become: a trusted resource for cat parents around the world looking for solid information about feline health, nutrition, behavior and so much more.
More importantly, The Conscious Cat grew into a community. Since March 1, 2009, we have brought you 4,690 new posts. More than 100,000 comments are a testament to the strength of this community. And with more than 20 million page views, our site keeps reaching an ever-growing audience of cat lovers who want the best for their feline family members.
Our community extends beyond just this website to our Facebook page and Instagram. Both attract cat lovers who enjoy sharing their love for cats with a group of like-minded people every day. Social media may have its drawbacks, but it’s truly wonderful when it creates thriving communities like this one.
Over the years, I’ve been approached by various interested parties about selling The Conscious Cat. Up until recently, I could have never even conceived of considering this, but sometimes, an opportunity presents itself that is too good to turn down.
Changes coming to The Conscious Cat
As of tomorrow, The Conscious Cat will be under new ownership.
This was not an easy decision for me. I’ve built this website into what it is now over the past 13 years, but it was always so much more than just a business. Aside from my books, the content on The Conscious Cat represents my entire body of work, except for the articles I wrote for magazines or other websites. It also became a chronicle of my life with my cats. Thinking about letting all that go was difficult, to put it mildly.
And yet, I felt that this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I had been thinking about slowing down a little. Posting new content seven days a week for 13 years, no matter how much I loved doing it, was not always easy. And unlike other offers I’ve had in the past, this one leaves me confident that my work, and by extension, all of you, will be in good hands. The new owners’ vision is to become the most helpful pet company in the world. I believe that under their curation, The Conscious Cat will reach an even wider audience, which, in turn, will help even more cats. You’ll continue to find all the content you’ve come to rely on over the years at consciouscat.net.
A heartfelt thank you all of you
None of this would be possible without all of you. Words cannot convey how grateful I am to all of you for all the years of reading, subscribing, commenting, and emailing me to let me know how something I posted helped your cats. Leaving you, my community, in good hands, was first and foremost on my mind as I went through the decision process.
A new beginning: Purrs of Wisdom
As I went through the decision process and the negotiations, I realized that there were some things about The Conscious Cat that I would never want to let go of, specifically Allegra’s World, Ruby’s Reflections, the Sunday columns, and some other, very personal pieces. All of these posts will reside on my new website, Purrs of Wisdom with Ingrid King. We’re currently putting the finishing touches on it and it will go live very shortly.
I’ll continue to write about feline health, nutrition, and behavior and introduce you to and review new products on Purrs of Wisdom. You’ll still hear from Allegra. I’ll still share memories of Ruby. You’ll continue to get the Sunday quotes.
If you are already an email subscriber, you will automatically continue to receive updates from me from Purrs of Wisdom, and I hope you will continue to be part of my community.
You will not be automatically subscribed to the new ConsciousCat.net email newsletter. If you would like to receive updates from The Conscious Cat – and I encourage you to do that! – you’ll need to subscribe to their email newsletter here.
The Conscious Cat will continue to exist on consciouscat.net and on Facebook, but also under new ownership. I will build a new community on my Purrs of Wisdom Facebook page and I hope you’ll join me there https://www.facebook.com/PurrsofWisdom
If you’re following me on Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest, the only things that will change are the names of the accounts. You don’t need to do anything other than keep following.
I’m excited about sharing Purrs of Wisdom with you, and at the same time, I’m looking forward to watching how the new owners will grow what I created 13 years ago so that even more cats and their humans can live happy, healthy lives.
I wish you the best. Thank you for teaching us about the cat problems for I have been a cat lover for years and still learning. Thank you you will be missed
Ingrid – As of January of this year, I lost my shrink, primary care doctor, neurologist, and soon, my foot surgeon/doctor – all due to retirement. And now, I’m losing another regular in my life – Ingrid’s Conscious Cat and the ease of communication I had with the community. I didn’t feel I was missing much (not being on facebook) because I felt connected through the daily column. While I wish the new owner nothing but the best, I will miss what was.
Best of luck, to you, Ingrid, on your new venture. I look forward to the new Purrs of Wisdom . Count me in. – Abby
Oh that was a surprise but I wish you all the best with your new venture! Thank you SO much for the wonderful website and inspiration over the years….. I will of course follow you on ….. take care and love to you all xx
Wow, this comes as such a shock – have been reading for so many years and can’t imagine you not heading up the site. But congrats on your new venture and will follow you there I really hope none of the old posts here disappear as I’ve really come to rely on them – which it sounds like they won’t based on your post! Best wishes and thank you for everything you’ve done here over the years.
The old posts will not disappear, Jessica, and you can always contact me via email through the new website if you ever have any questions. I look forward to “seeing” you on Purrs of Wisdom!
Hello Ingrid, from Sydney, Australia.
Your writings have helped me though the life and death (especially the grief of losing a beloved companion and family member) of some of my beloved cats; helping to understand my 3 legged Torbie, and how to help a frightened cat and kittens into a forever home.
I am so glad you will still e posting about your beloved Allegra and Ruby, and we will still enjoy the advice and ideas from the Conscious cat.
Thank you 1000 times, and set wishes into the future
Much love
Lyn
You have been an incredibly kind and helpful person over the years. The Conscious Cat was the first blog and social media presence I encountered when I began to use the internet. I know that it’s in good hands because you wouldn’t be doing it otherwise. I’m extremely glad that you are still going to keep Purrs of Wisdom, we’ll hear from Allegra along with memories of Ruby. Sunday quotes are a favorite of ours. We wish you well and can never thank you enough for the wonderful work you put in over the years and how much you care about the community.
Ingrid, you can’t know how much help, influence, and inspiration you’ve given our family, and to me personally as a first-time cat daddy, for the 9 years that we have been “made conscious” by you, Allegra, and Ruby. I have recently been thinking just how much work keeping up daily posts have been for you – for 13 years! I’m delighted that you are making a decision that will give you more flexibility in your personal life, and I applaud you. It’s great to know that The Conscious Cat will continue, but more importantly, that YOU will be continuing to share Purrs of Wisdom. We’ll be with you. Much love!
Thank you, Will. Making cat parents “conscious,” especially new ones like you were nine years ago, is why I do what I do. I’ll see you on Purrs of Wisdom!
Hi Ingrid,
I’m sure you have made the right decision after giving it so much thought.
I would like to thank you heartfeltedly for your articles in the Conciouscat , which I have followed this last year. Your articles and photos have managed to make me smile, despite my grief. I came to this site after losing my best friend Bella (tortoiseshell) and discovering your article on Amber in relation to pet grief.
I wish you all the very best as you walk down a different road, with your beautiful Allegra at your side.
OMG! This was such a shock reading that you will no longer be the voice and face of The Conscious Cat..along with Allegra of course. But..if you are happy with everything, then I am happ for you and of course I will follow you to the Purrs of Wisdom. Thank you for many years of The Conscious cat…and for me and my Furkids personally I appreciate all the help and advice you always give. ..I k ow I benefitted a lot, along with my sweet kitties. Good luck Ingrid and I am wishing you all the best…see you over at Purrs xoxox
Best wishes for your endeavor and thank you for all your devoted work for all of us cat lovers!