About Us

Catnaps & Catnip is a store and a deeply personal project dedicated to the memory of my late cat, Io.

I first met Io at the Oakland Animal Shelter. I hadn't planned on adopting that day—my apartment didn't allow cats, and I had only intended to take a quick look. But as you might imagine, things didn’t go quite as planned.

As I walked through the shelter, I watched cat after cat. Some were curled up, lethargic, while others played contentedly with their toys. I was about to turn away at the end of one of the aisles when, suddenly, a small paw reached out and grabbed my shirt.

His shelter name was Friday, but to me, and to everyone who knew him, he would always be Io. Io was a white cat with tabby markings, and though I didn't adopt him that day, I couldn’t stop thinking about him for a week straight.

Seven days later, I found myself racing back to the shelter, determined to bring him home, despite my apartment’s strict no-pets policy. It just felt right, as if our meeting was meant to be. Sometimes, intuition leads us to decisions that change our lives forever, and for the next 10 years, Io and I shared an unbreakable bond.

Io was incredibly attuned to my emotions and my daily life. He was affectionate beyond measure, often pawing at my face and neck while purring contentedly, a true companion in every sense. He loved to play fetch, was able to perform tricks on command, and even alerted me to incoming earthquakes minutes ahead. It was like living with a furry guardian angel.

He was an absolute love bug, always there for me, especially during my darkest days. Whenever life’s challenges overwhelmed me, he was right by my side, often cradling my head with his paws as I cried through the struggles of young adulthood.

When Io eventually passed, it was an incredibly difficult time. It felt as though a part of me had broken off and shattered into pieces. The unyielding support and innocent love of my dear cat were gone, leaving a void that was hard to fill. 

There comes a time when you must move forward, yet still honor the memory of a dear friend. Io’s passing taught me that I could continue making a difference, whether through adopting more animals or providing much-needed supplies. I was previously living and working in Vietnam, and my apartment happened to be close to a dog and cat meat restaurant. For over a year I endured the pained cries and deathly stench, and my heavy heart could not handle allowing it to continue. Working with local rescue organizations in Hanoi, we were able to save over 500 animals.

I've since left Vietnam, and with Catnaps & Catnip, I've vowed to continue supporting shelters, particularly ones in Vietnam where cat meat trade and unspeakable acts of abuse still exists today.

After months of grieving, I returned to the Oakland Animal Shelter, not in search of another Io, for that connection was unique, but new possibilities. This time, it was two kittens who called out to me, and I couldn’t leave without them. Now, I share my life with Charlie and Kitkat, continuing the legacy of love that Io began.