Happy Monday:

• 🐱 How shelter cats get their names

• 🐈 A guide to cat fur patterns

• 🚽 Say goodbye to toilet stains

• 🥇 Meet Nala, a world-record cat

• 😺 Why newsletters are becoming so popular

Why Is My Cat?

Why is my cat sleeping more during winter?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

At animal shelters in Alexandria, Virginia, a cat’s path to adoption often starts with a name. Volunteers at King Street Cats and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria say naming isn’t just fun. It helps cats stand out and connect with potential adopters.

Many cats arrive without names, and volunteers step in with ones inspired by food, pop culture, colors, or personality quirks. Shelter staff say cats with memorable or familiar names often get more attention from people browsing adoption listings.

Sometimes names come from themed litters or whatever show a volunteer happens to be watching. Other times, a name sticks simply because it fits. While adopters may rename their pets, some shelter names last for life.

Staff say a good name turns an animal into someone people remember. And in a busy shelter, being remembered can make all the difference.

Cats come in an impressive range of colors and patterns, and each coat tells a story rooted in genetics. From sleek solids to dramatic swirls and spots, fur patterns help explain why no two cats ever look exactly alike.

Some coats are easy to spot. Solid cats have mostly one color, while bicolor cats mix white with another shade, often creating tuxedo or mask-and-mantle looks. Tabby cats are the most common and always have a subtle “M” on their forehead, even if their stripes show up as swirls, spots, or fine ticking.

Other patterns are more complex. Tortoiseshell and calico cats combine multiple colors in unique patches, and they are almost always female due to how coat color genes work. Colorpoint cats, like Siamese types, have darker coloring on their ears, faces, paws, and tails, shaped by temperature-sensitive genes.

Some coats look solid at first glance but reveal hidden layers. Smoke, shaded, and chinchilla patterns have lighter fur near the skin and darker tips, creating a soft, shimmering effect. No matter the pattern, each coat is a reminder that cat genetics are anything but boring.

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Nala Cat is known today for her wide blue eyes and massive social following, but her story began quietly in a California animal shelter. Adopted in 2011, she was one of many kittens waiting for a home, with no hint of the audience she would one day reach.

Her owner originally started sharing photos simply with friends and family. Over time, Nala’s expressive face and calm personality drew people in, and her account grew organically through consistent posting and genuine engagement. What resonated most was not polish, but familiarity.

Nala eventually earned a Guinness World Records title for the most-followed cat on Instagram, reaching millions of fans worldwide. The attention opened doors to creative projects, including a pet food brand and a book, all rooted in her online presence.

Behind the numbers, her story continues to highlight the impact of adoption. Nala’s rise did not begin with a strategy or a brand plan, but with someone choosing a shelter cat. Her success remains a reminder that some of the most recognizable pets started out simply needing a home.

Thank you to beehiiv for sponsoring Daily Purr.

From sleepy play sessions to feline independence tests, here’s what’s trending this week:

• 😴 Tiny kitten can’t make it through playtime without falling asleep

• 🚽 Cat owners everywhere are using this toilet cleaner

• 🛏️ Owner buys a cat her own bed and it completely backfires

• 🩺 Take this quick quiz to see how healthy your cat’s habits really are

Daily Purr is brought to you with love from our cats. We hope they can brighten your day, just like they do ours. ❤️

Love,

Olive, Milo, and Yasmine.

🐱 Bite-Sized Treats

🧐 Why Is My Cat: Cats often conserve energy in colder months, mimicking their wild instincts to rest during harsher conditions.

😸 COTD: Give your kitty the spotlight by submitting them for Cat of the Day. Reply to this email with your best photos of your cat, their name, and a short description for the chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with your cat’s photo for a surprise in your inbox!