Hannah Shaw is an award-winning kitten rescuer and New York Times bestselling author, while Andrew Marttila is a professional cat photographer with a flair for capturing feline personalities. They dive into their journey of cat advocacy across 30 countries, sharing heartwarming anecdotes and the nuances of global cat culture. Highlighting community care, they discuss innovative strategies for cat welfare. The duo also emphasizes the importance of volunteering during travels, showcasing the deep connections formed with local advocates and their shared love for cats.
Hannah Shaw and Andrew Marttila emphasize the cultural differences in cat welfare practices observed during their travels to 30 countries.
Andrew discusses the significance of building trust with cats for successful photography, capturing their personalities and stories effectively.
Deep dives
The Journey of Cat Advocacy
Hannah Shaw and Andrew Mardala discuss their individual journeys that led them to become passionate advocates for cats. Hannah, a seasoned kitten rescuer and author, founded the Orphan Kitten Club, focusing on the welfare of neonatal kittens, while Andrew, a professional photographer, captures the beauty of cats through his lens. Their collaboration began when they met years ago, igniting a shared vision that combined Andrew’s artistic skills with Hannah’s rescue work. This partnership has evolved over time, leading to a deeper understanding of cat welfare and advocacy as they support each other's missions.
Exploring Global Cat Welfare
The pair shares insights from their travels around the world to understand different cat cultures and welfare practices. They document stories from 30 countries, revealing how culture, climate, and history uniquely influence the way communities care for cats. For instance, in Malaysia, a significant moment of inspiration struck Hannah while they were visiting a meat market where the realities of cat welfare starkly highlighted the differences compared to the American shelter system. This exploration uncovered a common thread: globally, there are compassionate individuals dedicated to helping cats, regardless of the circumstances.
Capturing the Essence of Cats
Andrew details the challenges and strategies involved in photographing cats in various cultural contexts. He emphasizes building trust with the animals through patience, treats, and understanding their behaviors, which allows them to reveal their unique personalities. His approach to photography is not solely about capturing their images but also about creating a narrative that connects viewers to both the cats and the people advocating for them. This method not only documents the cats themselves but also the deep relationships formed between the animals and their caretakers in different parts of the world.
Community-Centric Solutions to Cat Welfare
The podcast highlights the importance of community involvement in advancing animal welfare, showcasing that effective solutions often come from grassroots movements. In many countries visited, local advocates work tirelessly to care for cats, demonstrating that formal shelters are not always the best option. The duo mentions examples like Lamu Island in Kenya, where community members collaborate to provide care and sterilization services without the conventional resources found in more developed areas. They stress that fostering a mindset of shared responsibility can lead to sustainable solutions, encouraging people in all communities to engage actively in animal welfare.
Award-winning kitten rescuer Hannah Shaw and professional cat photographer Andrew Marttila join Google to discuss their book, “Cats of the World,” where they explore cat culture and welfare around the globe, documenting their travels with photos and stories from 30 different countries.
Hannah and Andrew are both cat experts in their own specialties. Hannah is a New York Times bestselling author of over 10 books and the founder of Orphan Kitten Club, a nonprofit focused on saving the lives of neonatal kittens. Andrew is a professional animal photographer who specializes in cats. He’s been featured on the cover of National Geographic and on Good Morning America, and has also authored several books.