My Personal Farewell to Cat Fancy Magazine
For nearly all of my life, Cat Fancy magazine has been a part of it. I find it bittersweet to know it will no longer be…
Irreverent. That was the word Susan Logan, editor of Cat Fancy magazine used with me when she called me last month to give me the news – after 50 years, Cat Fancy magazine would cease to exist, being replaced this May/June with a high-gloss, headline attention-getting, new print entity – Catster magazine born from Catster.com.
She used the word not disrespectfully, but as a sign of the times. Cat Fancy, first published in 1965 and primarily known in the mainstream for featuring one to two cat breeds on its cover in conjunction with written content, was not irreverent – the current measurable yardstick for success today. No surprise really – the writing had been on the scratching post for many years as Cat Fancy tried to redefine itself to reflect the changing culture of present day feline connoisseurs that are increasingly not breed-centric by featuring more articles on shelters, rescues, and feral cats alongside the traditional breed specific articles, directories of breeders and show listings.
I personally saw the transformation – the magazine that I had remembered from my youth as being not much more than a showcase of picture perfect cats that I could not relate to had become a wealth of information on all aspects of feline care from health and well-being, to behavioral issues, and everything in-between. But the struggle to keep and increase its audience hit a standstill with the recession (as clearly evidenced by the fact the magazine was becoming thinner with each passing issue as a result of less ad revenues) and in early 2013, Cat Fancy, a Bow-Tie entity was bought out by I-5 (which owns Catster) in hopes of modernizing the faltering magazine.
What happened instead, a mere year later, was that I-5 decided in order to truly modernize the publication to cater to the current generation of cat lovers – those hip, edgy, and technically savvy people who are accustomed to getting their cat fix through quick and easy sources such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube videos where any cat can become famous, the Cat Fancy brand needed to be put to pasture to make room for the much younger, less-traditional, and yes, irreverent audience, the likes of which have brought Grumpy Cat to household fame.
I got the call from Susan because I had been a contributor to the publication for the past several years writing about feral cats, kittens, and the importance of spay/neuter and she wanted me to hear it from her. I had a piece scheduled for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative issue that was to hit newsstands in March (an article about famous cat people, past and present, that have loved cats over the past 50 years), that I now found out would ironically be the last Cat Fancy issue ever to be published.
2011 when I met Susan Logan for the first time at the White Plains Cat Writers’ Association conference. I had no clue at this time that I would be working with her as a contributing writer for Cat Fancy magazine.
Naturally I was flooded with a plethora of reactions. Of course I understood the underlying reason why it had to happen, but the emotional side of me was deeply saddened. I was a fanatical cat lover who grew up reading Cat Fancy. A fanatical cat lover who grew up reading Cat Fancy who never in her wildest dreams thought she would be writing for the magazine that she held in such high regard. And now I was finding out the relationship was over and I didn’t want it to end.
I look at it all now with a gentle sadness. I am extremely proud I can say I wrote for Cat Fancy along with so many other esteemed writers, but I also understand the magazine did not have the window dressing appeal of what Catster promises to be – a glossy, high-end kind of publication that will be like Cosmopolitan, but for cat lovers. You know what I mean – the kind of fodder that harkens to the reading you do when you get your hair done or chat with girlfriends. You look at the larger than life pictures, take the quizzes (i.e., just how obsessed are you with your cat?) and enjoy the Taylor Swift celebrity inspired cat gossip that will already be old news and passé by the time it hits newsstands to be replaced by the newest feline-loving diva.
One of my favorite author moments was at last year’s Global Pet Expo – there was a booth featuring pet related publications and my article I had written on early spay/neuter for kittens just so happened to be in the Cat Fancy issue at the time!
And honestly, it’s not all bad. The folks at Catster are great. I have written several articles for their online site and I hope I will be able to contribute an article or two for this new publication. I wish them all the success in the world – after all, it’s about cats, so what’s not to love? I also know the new publication will continue to feature vital information on topics such as health care, rescue, behavioral issues, feral cats, TNR, spay/neuter, and more. By grabbing the attention of a younger audience, it will allow a significant segment of our population to be educated on these types of issues that they might not otherwise know about so they can help make the world a better place for the well-being of cats.
Just allow me my mourning period as I bid my sweet Cat Fancy adieu as it goes to the great Rainbow Bridge in the journalistic sky. I hold my head high, and as I look at my advance copy that has just arrived in my mailbox, my heart fills with pride. I made the last issue ever of Cat Fancy magazine and that’s quite an achievement. Perhaps it won’t get me a great seat at a restaurant and maybe years from now people will say “Cat Fancy who?” but that’s okay. With each chapter that ends, just like the 9-lives of a cat, another one begins.
Peanut shares in my sentiment that Cat Fancy will be missed as she looks at the last issue ever to be published, but she also knows that with life comes change and she is looking forward to welcoming Catster to her world with open paws!
Please be sure to get a copy wherever Cat Fancy is sold in your area. It is certain to be a collector’s item and I hope you enjoy my article that can be found on page 28, “They’ve Got Purr-sonality!” in which I share a lot of great cat loving celebrity stories and pictures that I think you will find to be quite entertaining and interesting! My favorite was the one on Audrey Hepburn that might just surprise you!
Thank you and I welcome any thoughts you care to share on this subject.
Con-cat-ulations on being in the last issue, one that is sure to be saved, and for all your articles in the past few years! Writing for Cat Fancy has always had a cachet even in non-cat circles because of the magazine’s singular prestige. Honestly, I never really read the magazine until it began to publish articles on regular cat stuff, so now I probably miss it more than I would have since the changes Susan Logan made. It is a shame to see the name go, though. “Cat Fancy” is a name I can still relate to, but we roll with the times.
We’re sorry, but we understand the change. We follow Cat Channel, and we hope that it goes on even if Cat Fancy Magazine goes to Caster. Concatulations for having written for it, and for being in the future collector last edition ! Purrs
This is the first I heard of Cat Fancy being “no longer”. This truly saddens me. I am a subscriber so I will be receiving the “final issue” as it were. . . Hopefully, there will be a transition to the new magazine (Catster) without any problems — as I will continue to be a subscriber. Will continue to follow on Cat Channel. . .♥♥♥
I’m very sad to see Cat Fancy go – not just because of its history, and because I, too, was a contributor, but because it makes me sad to see publications that provide solid, factual information disappear, to be replaced by glossy entertainment. It seems to be a trend in publishing in general, not just in the cat world. I’d like to think that there’s a place for both in this world, but I also understand the economics of having to give the public what it wants. I wish I-5 much success with Catster, but the cat world won’t be the same without Cat Fancy.
I’m so with you on this Ingrid. Well said.
We always liked Cat Fancy and their photos were almost as good as yours!
Awww! Thank you Brian – you are so sweet! Dan truly is a gifted photographer and we appreciate the compliment you gave him!
I am also sad to see Cat Fancy go and had heard nothing about it prior to reading your post. I hate changes myself, so am not sure if I’ll continue with my subscription or not. The jury is still out on\ that one. Thanks for sharing Deb.
I can so relate to this article! In 1986 I placed one of those 2 x 3 inch Shopper Ads in Cat Fancy and it pretty much changed my life. That tiny black and white ad in Cat Fancy, featuring my T-shirt design “Cats Coming and Going”, launch a 29 year (so far) career for me beginning with the direct mail, Hep Cat Catalog and then shifting to Meow.Com in 2008, a totally online enterprise. During those years I’ve had many more shopper ads, classified ads and even half page full color ads in Cat Fancy. As some of the readership of Cat Fancy become customers, I also developed some lovely friendships. The Cat Fancy subscribers are very passionate about cats and we received letters (with orders) full of rescue stories and always an abundance of feline family pictures.
I too am a bit saddened by the passing of this flagship magazine in the world of cats but also looking forward to a new beginning with Catster. Congrats on all your fabulous stories in Cat Fancy!
Anna @ meow.com
Anna – what a fascinating comment. Thank you so much for sharing – I had no idea that is how your career started to take off and I can only imagine the wonderful stories and friendships you garnered over the years.
It was the only cat magazine I subscribed to. I am sadden by it’s demise.
I understand the irrelevant remark, but it’s sad nevertheless. To see things become passe. I guess it means we’re passe too, huh? Oh my — meow.
It is sad to see something we care about come to an end, even if it has a new beginning. How neat you are in the last issue.
Startin’ over from scratch – yup, pun intended – isn’t always so bad. Sometimes it’s necessary to give a good boost when a boost is what is needed. It also allows one to easily cut loose everythin’ that wasn’t workin’ and to do so without any feelings of guilt and that, my friend, is a good thing for sure.
That said, these situations are always sad. You’ll miss what you knew and loved. Can’t be helped.
Paws crossed that from this fresh start will grow a wonderful magazine that will influence the audience of today and all the grumpy cats that the future will bring. I’m bettin’ there are at least a few more of those out there. Have you MET my sister, Tess?
Purrs,
Nissy
It’s the end of an era and I’m sad to see Cat Fancy fold. Cherish your final copy.
I’ve had a subscription to Cat Fancy for over 20 years. Other magazine subscriptions came and went, but I always maintained my Cat Fancy one. In fact, I’ve saved many of the back issues. I’m going to miss Cat Fancy. Great photos…good articles. But I’ll give the Catster version a try.
Island Cat Mom
So many good things have come and gone in my lifetime, and I am sure there will be many more. A least Cat Fancy will have a successor. You said you had an advance copy. When should the final issue be available? Mom wants to be sure she gets it. Hope you’ll join us tomorrow for our Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Always sad to see a “friend” leave 🙁
I don’t think I can by the magazine in Sweden ??
Here we have one cat magazine called Katt Liv = Cat Life.
Wich we if course subscribes on 🙂
XOXO
Thanks so much for sharing Deb, I had no idea this would be the last copy. I know that things change but for some reason this saddens me. I wish the very best to the crew at Catster.
How special that you are included in the final issue. That’s a long time for any publication to run, but it’s sad that it has to end because the internet generation’ doesn’t have the attention span for the longer, meaty articles that you and the other Cat Fancy writers have contributed. I’m saddened to see the magazine end its run and I’m not a contributor, so I can’t imagine how you must feel.
How wonderful that you are in the last issue! …though we too are sad to say farewell.
It was the only cat magazine Glogirly ever bought. The internet is fun…but it’s different. We’ll miss Cat Fancy.
Considering that I JUST resubscribed *this* month, I am dismayed at this news and hope they choose to refund my money without me having to chase them down. I think if they made the decision to do away with the magazine, they should have taken down their subscription page and not allowed people to continue to subscribe to another year (or two) of the magazine.
*steps off soapbox*
Now on a personal note, I’ve enjoyed Cat Fancy for many years and am sad to see it go. I was looking forward to getting the magazine in my mail again. It helped me stay on top of things a bit and I always learned something new from reading it.
We too grew up with Cat Fancy. Does this mean the end of their Catnip newsletter too? So sad that they could change Cat Fancy into something that younger readers would like. Really, though, do 20 somethings read magazines?
How sad to know that this publication will be no longer. My mom used to pick up a copy every now and again, and I too remember looking at the beautiful kitties, but thinking that these cats and their owners were so different from my felines and family. And I had two pure bred Siamese!
It’s so wonderful to know that you have contributed to the final edition of Cat Fancy. I will look for it and make sure I get it so that I can retain a piece of history!