A Lifetime in the Cat Fancy World

My journey into the world of breeding and showing cats began before I could walk. My mother was a passionate cat breeder long before I was born, and I grew up immersed in the cat fancy world—surrounded by the sights, sounds, and heart of cat shows, breeding programs, and rescue work.

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Her dedication to animal programs extended well beyond cats. She also actively showed rabbits and Arabian horses, and my parents approached every program with the same philosophy: build strong, ethical foundations and never cut corners. That environment taught me that excellence in cats—just like in any species—is not accidental. It comes from education, intentional selection, proper care, and a long-term commitment to doing things correctly, even when it isn’t the easiest or cheapest path.

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From a very young age, I was hands-on, helping in every way I could. I worked at cat shows running drinks for exhibitors and judges, cleaning cages, and learning the logistics of show management. By childhood, I had earned certification and "title" as the youngest clerk with TICA, gaining an early understanding of breed standards and the dedication required to excel in this world.

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​​The Founding of Nightmagic

Working alongside my mother taught me the importance of responsible, ethical breeding, but I always dreamed of carving out a path of my own. In 2005, that dream became a reality with the founding of Nightmagic Cattery, originally focused on the elegant Somali breed. This was a deliberate choice at the time—my mother was working with Abyssinians, and I wanted to establish a distinct program while applying the same principles I had grown up with.

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One of my greatest points of pride from that era was QGC Nightmagic Little Bunny Fuu Fuu, whose offspring went on to show homes around the world and contributed meaningfully to the development and structure of the breed.

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​​A Devon Destiny

Despite being surrounded by cats my entire life, it was always the Devon Rex that stayed with me.

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While finishing my Veterinary Technician program and preparing to begin my Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Services Management, I was asked a simple question:

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“If you could choose any breed to work with, what would it be?”

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That question stirred a long-held memory. I was around seven years old at a cat show when I met a tiny white Devon Rex kitten—the only Devon Rex I had ever seen at the time. Even after growing up around countless cats, that single kitten left a lasting impression.

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When I graduated, that memory came full circle. My graduation gift was a Devon Rex from Katzisland Cattery—QGC Katzisland Zoey Zoe of Nightmagic, a striking calico with the goofiest personality. She marked not just the end of one chapter, but the beginning of my Devon Rex journey.

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When the time came to retire Zoey from breeding, I had every intention of keeping her with me forever. However, after being contacted by the owner of one of our kittens—who worked at a Veterans hospice care facility in Massachusetts—I was presented with an opportunity that gave me pause. Knowing Zoey’s gentle, intuitive nature, I realized that keeping her solely for myself may have meant denying her a chance to make a meaningful difference for others.

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She went on to live alongside her companion, Madison, at the hospice facility, where both served as therapy cats. While letting her go was not easy, I was deeply moved by what staff later shared—Zoey often spent extra time with those nearing the end of life, offering quiet comfort and helping ensure families could be present when it mattered most. Knowing the peace she brought reaffirmed for me that retirement can be a deeply meaningful and purposeful chapter in a cat’s life.

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For those interested, Zoey and Madison’s work as therapy cats in a Veterans hospice setting was later featured in a local news article.

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👉 Link “featured in a local news article” to the MassLive piece.

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