We were lucky to catch up with Chelsea Robinson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chelsea, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Spreading joy is our mission! And changing more accommodations to allowing our feline best friends to stay with us too!

Unfortunately there are still many places still not open to pets, or only rolling out the red carpet for dogs. But we’re on a roll to change that game!

Our passion is unveiling those cat-welcoming havens that not only accept cats, but truly welcome them! Because exploring with our feline buddies is the ultimate adventure, and there are so many who want to do the same, but struggle to find many places that accept them.

So we’re hoping to change the no cat mindset– showcasing spots that shout, “Cats are totally welcome here too!”

We’re on a major mission to transform minds and turn “no” into a resounding “yes” for cats everywhere, while spreading as much joy as possible by sharing our family adventures on social media along the way

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey there, I’m Chelsea. A mom to a teen and tween, partner to a professional extreme athlete aaaand I’m basically a cat enthusiast, although I have a soft spot for all creatures in general. But let me tell you, there’s something about those feline friends that really tugs at my heart.

Jump back to 2021, and that’s when Fig, our purebred polydactyl Maine Coon, joined our family. Her unique, calm, sweet and silly demeanor instantly formed a bond that went beyond the pet-owner relationship – she became my soul cat. This made me realize I couldn’t imagine going anywhere without her by my side.

So, I picked up a cat backpack and decided to document our adventures. Given the lockdown, it was the perfect creative outlet to share our happiness with Fig.

What came as a surprise was the massive response to our videos, propelling us into the limelight on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. and in articles for CBC news and USA Today.

And then, Scout joined the gang – another unique Maine Coon with a dog-like personality. He absolutely adores car rides and sticking his head out the window, wind in his fur! He’s such a special boy and fit into our family purrfectly.

As I navigated this digital journey, I met other cat-loving adventurers who faced a common challenge – finding cat-friendly places to go. That’s when I realized it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for adventure cats out there. This realization birthed a mission: to spotlight cat-friendly spots in our province, with the goal of showcasing them all over Canada.

Today, our online family boasts over 370,000 followers. We collaborate with places that embrace cats and showcase products we use and adore.

But the true magic lies in the messages we receive daily. People share how our journeys brighten their days and encouraged them to embark on cat-inclusive vacations. It’s surreal, really – a dream come true. I feel so fortunate to do what I love and the future holds countless opportunities to expand and share even more joy.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Consistency is key – aim to post daily, with at least 2 videos, pair them with trending tunes. Pinpoint your prime posting time through analytics and stick with it.

Engaging stories that resonate with your followers are gold- But remember, authenticity reigns supreme.

Your true self trumps all. Share your journey unfiltered, and never promote companies that don’t align with your values.

Trust from your followers is paramount. Speaking of which, make sure to engage with every comment on your feed.

Lastly, embrace perseverance. The algorithm can be your ally or adversary, depending on the day. The ride’s bound to have its ups and downs, but don’t lose heart – it’s all part of the journey.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

We’re all about authenticity – sharing everything (well, almost everything, I keep the super personal stuff off the table 😹).

Our followers matter immensely to me, and I’m dedicated to ensuring the best for their cats, just as much as for Fig and Scout.

In the past, I’ve endorsed products like harnesses, only to realize they no longer fit our needs. So, I’m upfront about the change and what we’re using now.

Working with companies is a selective process; if we don’t sync up, I won’t hesitate to say no. The same goes for the food we feed Fig and Scout or the products we use – if we endorse it, we genuinely use and love it.

Our reputation as kind and respectful folks precedes us, and it’s played a pivotal role in our promotion of cat-friendly accommodations.

Our genuine care for both the accommodations we stay at, as well as everyone we work with or randomly come across, ensures every interaction is laced with kindness and respect – it’s a principle I’ve instilled in my daughters too.

Bringing them along on our adventures fills my heart with pride and gratitude, and hearing from others how wonderful they are and how they can’t wait for us all to stay again? Well, that’s just the cherry on top

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/a.cat.named.fig?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw==
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100069030843175
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-robinson-5a05aa223
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@a.cat.named.fig.?si=BDPoz5x3bzMJiitr
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@a.cat.named.fig?_t=8fIysuWT4Dt&_r=1
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@a.cat.named.fig

Image Credits
Images were taken by my partner, Mark Matthews, or myself