Who Are the Cat Writers’ Association: Janet Vormittag

In conversation with Mollie Hunt.

Who are the Cat Writers’ Association? is a series of interviews with CWA members, but not your usual who, what, and where discussion. I like to ask a different set of questions for each interview and am always amazed by the answers. I hope you are, too.

Our guest today on Who are the Cat Writers’ Association? is Janet Vormittag, who is an animal advocate, author, and friend to every stray cat in her neighborhood. From 2006 to 2024, she published Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animals, a free publication supported by advertisers and distributed in West Michigan. It celebrated the animal/human connection and promoted adoption and spay/neuter.

Janet has written three suspense mysteries revolving around animal rights and four nonfiction, cat-themed books. She has a degree in journalism from Grand Valley State University and was a correspondent for the Grand Rapids Press for 10 years. She enjoys hiking, vegan food, flower gardening, kayaking, movies, exploring her home state, and reading. Janet and her cats live in West Michigan.

Part 1

How Cats Inspire My Creativity:

I used to foster for a local cat rescue and ended up keeping the unadoptable cats — the shy ones, the ones who didn’t use the litter box, the mom cats who got overlooked. I also took in neighborhood strays. I learned to say no after I reached my capacity of 12 cats. Living with that many cats is never dull.

My Crazy Cat Lady books are short stories about living with too many cats and my worry about becoming a crazy cat lady. A house full of cats is a constant source of entertainment, trouble, heartache, and writing material.

What I Enjoy About Belonging to the CWA:

I enjoy being part of an organization of like-minded people — makes me feel less crazy. I appreciate the contests and have learned a lot from the speakers at the conferences (which I have only attended online).

Part 2

Mollie: Tell a true cat story.

Janet: This is the beginning of the first story in You Might be a Crazy Cat Lady if …

“Lucy”

My obsession began with Lucy, a black and white tuxedo kitty. When I should have been thinking babies and perpetuating my genetic traits, I was mothering a physically challenged cat. Lucy came into my life on a warm September day when my husband, Mark, and I traveled to Saugatuck for a romantic Lake Michigan sunset. The first thing we heard when we stepped out of the van was a mournful cry.

“It’s a bird,” I said.

“No, it’s a cat,” Mark claimed as the soulful wail echoed between the sand dune and the Kalamazoo River. It was off-season and Mount Baldhead, with its 282 wooden steps to the top of a bluff overlooking the Great Lake, was deserted. We climbed about a dozen stairs when Mark stopped and looked back at the parking lot.

“I told you it was a cat,” he said pointing. We turned around and were soon peering under a shrub at a black and white kitten.

“Here kitty, kitty,” I called, holding out my hand in friendship.

The kitten, a tiny thing, dragged herself to us. She was bloated like a half-inflated balloon, and she wasn’t moving her back legs. Sand fleas were hopping all over her, yet she purred, a deep rumbling purr.

Mark gently turned her over and she still purred. There was no blood, no open wounds, no sign of injury, but there was definitely something wrong.

“Now what do we do?” I asked. “We just can’t leave her here.”

Of course, we didn’t leave her. Our veterinarian determined Lucy was partially paralyzed, he couldn’t say why. She was never able to walk, but she got around. Lucy was a happy, purring cat and an avid mouse hunter. She lived to be 13.

Mollie: What cat-themed item is sitting on your desk right now?

Janet: Ha! A cat pencil holder. If you could only see my house — I have been collecting cat stuff since the early 1980s. I swear every gift and card I have received for my birthday or Christmas since finding Lucy has been cat-related. The walls of my house are decorated with cat art. My refrigerator is covered with cat magnets. Curio cabinets and shelves are full of cat figurines. In my closet hang shirts silkscreened or embroidered with cats. My jewelry box is full of cat necklaces and pins. The fireplace mantel is a place for cat statues. I collect cat buttons and document my travels with cat-themed souvenirs. Is it any wonder that I worry that I might be a crazy cat lady?

Mollie: Adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, educate — what do you like to do?

Janet: I’ve done them all, but at this point of my life, all I do is donate. I’m still writing and selling books, which are all entertaining and educational, so I hope I’m still educating.

Mollie: Please give us the names and short descriptions of your cats.

Janet: I’ve lost most of my cats to old age. I’m down to five: two elders and three adults.

Blink was a foster who got adopted, was declawed, and then quit using his litterbox. They asked if I wanted him back — just what I wanted, a cat who doesn’t use the litterbox. Luckily, I have a detached garage with a large catio that I dubbed theBad Boys Club. At one time, there were five cats who boycotted litter boxes and were members of the club. Blink out-lived them all. Last summer, he became lethargic in the 90-degree-plus temperatures, so I brought him inside and put him in my bedroom. He’s still there. When I tried to introduce him to the house cats, he quit using the litter. When he’s locked in the bedroom, he uses the litter, so now he’s a 17-year-old bedroom cat who has turned into a cuddle bug. Every night is a slumber party.

Little Grey: Blink’s extremely shy sister who never got adopted. She eats, uses the litter box, and hides from the world.

Gracie, Tippy, Freda: A few years ago, a feral cat had three kittens and brought them to my porch. Of course, I started feeding them. I also TNR’d them. Soon after being spayed, Mom Cat got killed in the road. The kittens were food-friendly. When winter came, it got super-cold, like minus 10 degrees cold. I felt bad, so I caught all three — two by hand and one with a trap — and put them in my bathroom. They now have the run of the house. Gracie is friendly and loveable. Her brother Tippy is a big scaredy-cat who hides except when it’s morning meal time or when I’m eating breakfast; then he likes back rubs. Freda aka the 8 o’clock Cat can be petted at the morning meal and at 8 p.m.

You can find Janet Vormittag online at http://janetvormittag.com.  

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