story of catudio
Nine Little Man, October 2017
Why Nine's?
Nine showed up at 9 pm. Precisely, 8:58 pm, but I thought naming him Eighfiftyeight would be a bit weird.
What's Catudio?
Catudio is a combination of words Cat + Studio, similar to Cat + Patio = Catio
Nine's Catudio™ is not just a name; it's a lifestyle choice for animal lovers and those with a penchant for the quirky.
This Online Feline Boutique and Virtual Design Studio sells unique products that serve practical purposes and help feed rescued animals. Imagine buying a cat-themed mug; part of your purchase goes to a good cause. It's like shopping with a side of philanthropy.
The Catudio is based in Alberta, Canada, so I am proud to say my products are locally made. So, you're not just buying cat stuff; you're supporting Canadian craftsmanship.
Beyond selling cat-themed merchandise, Nine's Catudio™ is deeply involved in animal rescue. We are not just selling you cat t-shirts; we are telling you stories of rescue and rehabilitation, making your shopping experience a bit like watching a heartwarming documentary.
Check out our YouTube channel with a mission to prove cats can be just as loyal and trainable as dogs. It's like a reality show where cats are the stars, and you're the audience, minus the drama (unless you count the occasional catfight).
On X (formerly Twitter), Nine's Catudio™ has become a cultural touchstone for cat enthusiasts, with mentions across music and pop culture. It's like they've created a cat-themed universe where everyone's invited. Follow Nine's Catudio on X:
Nine's Catudio™ isn't just a boutique and design studio; it's a movement, a community, and probably the closest thing to a cat-themed utopia you'll find online. This is your digital catnip if you're into cats, quirky merch, and supporting good causes.
When did you get registered trademark status?
October 2025
Do you use fancy programs to draw and edit your designs?
I use Photoshop 7. Yes, you read this right. I bought a CD in 2003 and have been using the program ever since. I think Adobe should give me a prize.
When a design idea comes to me, I draw it out in pencil. Then I scan it to my PC. Then I use my drawing tablet to finish the drawing and add digital fill.
About Holly, the Owner
From Cat Rescuer to Entrepreneur: How a Cat Lover Turned Her Passion into a Business to Help Animals in Need
By N. Blemmer
A remarkable woman's story of compassion and entrepreneurship is taking center stage in a small town nestled in West Alberta's foothills. Meet Holly, a dedicated cat rescuer who has mastered the art of saving feline lives and found a novel way to fund her noble cause.
Holly's journey began when she was overwhelmed by the number of abandoned and neglected cats in a rural area in Southern Alberta, where she had spent three years on contract work. Determined to make a difference, she started rescuing and rehabilitating these furry creatures, often taking on more than she could handle. As the number of rescued cats grew, so did the financial strain of caring for them. Holly grappled with the high costs of veterinary bills, nutritious pet food, and other essential supplies required to properly care for her feline and, later, a couple of canine rescues.
In her quest for a sustainable solution, Holly discovered her hidden talent for design and crafting. With determination and an unwavering passion for her cause, she began creating her line of merchandise, including cat-themed T-shirts, mugs, and accessories. The proceeds from the sale of these items went directly towards covering the expenses of caring for her rescue cats.
As Holly's merchandise gained popularity among her local community and beyond, she realized the potential to expand her efforts and help others facing similar challenges. With a desire to support fellow animal rescuers and advocates, Holly made it her mission to empower them with the skills and knowledge needed to create successful fundraising campaigns.
Holly shared her expertise in designing and marketing merchandise through workshops and online tutorials, offering practical guidance on leveraging social media and e-commerce platforms to reach a wider audience. Her goal was to alleviate the financial burden of animal care and foster a sense of community and shared purpose among like-minded individuals.
Recognizing that only some have access to design programs, supplies, and the time required to develop and promote their merchandise, Holly's initiatives aimed to level the playing field for animal caregivers. By equipping them with the tools and resources to generate financial support, Holly envisioned a world where no compassionate soul would have to bear the weight of animal welfare alone.
In addition to supporting fundraising efforts, Holly also emphasized the importance of collaboration and networking within the animal rescue community.
Today, Holly's impact reverberates far beyond her humble beginnings, inspiring a growing network of passionate individuals making a tangible difference in the lives of animals in need. Her journey from cat rescuer to entrepreneur serves as a testament to the transformative power of empathy, creativity, and collaboration, and her initiatives have significantly improved the landscape of animal rescue.
As we witness the profound impact of Holly's endeavours, we are reminded that the path to change often begins with a single act of compassion. Holly continues to pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future for animals and their caregivers through her unwavering dedication and innovative spirit.
I spent the entire day on September 10, 2017, preparing my garden for winter. The early snowfall was forecasted, and according to the Farmer's Almanac, a cold and snowy winter was to settle in very early. It's not unusual for Alberta, where we live.
We lived in the south, where evenings get dark very early. I was getting exhausted and was wrapping it up for the day. I was about to enter the house when I realized I hadn't locked the garage.
On my way back, I heard a desperate air-piercing meow coming from the road. I could not see the cat because the streetlight hid behind the large tree in the front yard.
In the sweetest voice, I started calling into the dark, "Come here, baby, come here, little one." I have always been an avid cat lover and spent much time with them. One thing I learned is that the cats react to the tone of a human voice. For some reason, I assumed the meow belonged to a kitten, although it was profound.
The next moment, I saw a tiny furball beside my foot. It all happened so quickly that I screamed, and the kitten jumped. But he was so exhausted that he almost immediately lay down and started to cry, not as loudly as before. I grabbed the towel off the clothesline and picked him up.
I had to be very careful, as I already had two male cats, Sky and Junior. They were strictly indoor cats, and any disease could be a severe problem.
The kitten grew quiet and looked at me with his huge eyes. He was starving. His third eye already showed up - a distinct sign of illness, dehydration, and starvation.
Hiding the kitten in my jacket, I ran into the house. The baby cat was barely meowing by then. I grabbed a can of cat food and a dish and filled it with water.
I set them down on the deck and let the kitten out of the towel. The minute I put the contents of the can into a little tray, they were gone. I went back inside and got another package of cat food. It did not last much longer. Then the kitten drank and drank and drank water. I refilled the dish at least three times before he stopped.
I wrapped him up in the towel again and sat on the deck, rocking him like a baby. He started purring loudly, and soon he was asleep. I was afraid to move, studying my precious find.
He had incredible colours, and his little mane was so cute. I was unsure what to do since I was afraid my husband would not allow me to have a third cat in the house. But there was no way I was leaving this baby without trying to help him.
I named him Nine, as he showed up at 9 pm. Since I rescued and successfully rehomed other cats before (in fact, one just two weeks before Nine showed up), I knew what to do.
I already had a small YouTube channel that I did not take seriously and mainly used to post short cat videos whenever I had to rehome one. So, the first thing I did was start filming the kitten, since I thought I would have to rehome him once he was nursed back to health. But the more time we spent together, the more attached I became to him.
Here is a very clumsy first video of Nine I made using the footage from that night. After a long nap, he woke up and started playing. I knew he would make it then.
The next day, I told my husband, who was on a business trip, that a miracle had happened. The prettiest, cutest kitten found us in the middle of nowhere, in that tiny hamlet we lived in at the time. I sent him some pictures. I was very nervous to know what he would say.
Back came the text: "Baby, he is precious. We should keep him". And that's how Nine became part of our family.
On the way to work that day, I noticed a tiny body on the highway. The dead kitten looked just like Nine. I stopped to move the little corpse away. The way she was lying, I saw it was a girl cat. Nine had a sister, but more. In the ditch where I was going to put the kitten, I noticed a large cat (I'm not sure if it was their mom or Dad. Judging by the size, it was probably a male.
The picture began to appear before my eyes. The cats were thrown out on the highway. One made it. Little Nine ran 3 kilometres towards our village. No wonder he was so exhausted.
One of the first comments under the video I published was from a lady who owned the prized Norwegian Forest Cat. She suggested that Nine came from the same litter as her cat. She also said that a breeder could have thrown the cats out since we lived so close to the Montana border. She told me she had a second Weegie, who looked just like Nine, but with tiny defects only a breeder would notice.
My little kitten became ever so precious to me as I shed a tear over his rough kittenhood story. Up to this day, he is terrified of strangers in our house, but he adopted my husband and me right away.
His full name is Nile Little Man Monarch Wonder Boots, which translates to Norwegian as Ni Lille Mann Monark Undre Stovier. We had a blast coming up with a name worth a show cat. Nine was so precious to us. My husband added Little Man because Nine was following him everywhere. Wonder boots, we said, because he had those cutest white boots on all his paws, and they brought him to us in the middle of nowhere. Monarch was the name of the village where we lived. Time passed, and Nine healed and got a very clean bill of health from the vet. He was so gorgeous that I could not stop taking pictures and videos of him. The more videos I posted, the more cat fans flocked to the channel. That's when I decided to learn how to make better videos.
I renamed the channel to Nine's Catudio and branded it across all social media. Catudio stands for Cat Studio, and I named it after Nine because he was my greatest inspiration.
I invested in essential equipment and learned to hold the phone horizontally when shooting. I am still learning.
When a local shelter saw my videos, they asked me to make a couple of videos to help with cat adoptions. That was a great start and a huge praise for my efforts.
I have completed several charity projects with other cat video enthusiasts and discovered a beautiful community on YouTube. Together, we save stray cats.
Through donations, sales of merchandise I design, and ads on this website and my YouTube channel, I can fulfill my dream of retiring and building a no-kill resort for unwanted cats. I hope to get there one day. Time is running out.
In the meantime, I remain a vocal advocate for stray cats and those left behind in shelters. Humans must be a little more thankful to felines. After all, they saved the world from the Plague.
I appreciate your support!
Holly K, - owner, designer, rescuer