Who Are the Cat Writers’ Association: Mary Christine Kane

by 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 and am always amazed by the answers. I hope you are too.

Our guest today on Who are the Cat Writers’ Association? is Mary Christine Kane. Mary is a writer from Saint Paul, Minn. She writes articles, essays and poetry. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Sun, HuffPost, Cream City Review, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Mocking Heart Review, Soundings East, and elsewhere. “Between the stars where you are lost” is the title of her poetry chapbook. 

Mary is a volunteer for Pet Haven of Minnesota and Ruff Start Rescue. She works as a digital marketing manager and is the guardian of two ginger sisters, Mo and Ging.

Part 1:

About My Craft:

I’ve been a creative writer from nearly the time I learned cursive and have loved cats for even longer. In 2017 I began fostering cats and started learning about animal rescue and animals in need. I decided to combine my love of cats and writing by writing blogs for rescue organizations and my own stories about the cats I’ve met through my rescue work and elsewhere.

How Cats Inspire My Creativity:

I am guided by the goal of trying to make the world a better place for cats. Cats are routinely misunderstood and have reputations that don’t match what I know about cats. For example, people often don’t realize how much attention cats want and need, describing them as independent and aloof. Most of the cats I’ve lived with will greet me at the door when I come home and will seek my love and affection. They follow me around much of the day, even into the bathroom, and sleep with me at night. When I meet a cat described as “mean,” I often find a cat unhappy because of its living circumstances, fear, or chronic pain. 

You could say cats have a branding problem. I’d like to help rebrand cats. Sometimes the most effective way to get people’s attention is by telling stories. So that’s what I’ve been doing. I wrote an essay about my first fostering experience that was published by Chicken Soup for the Soul and a story about choosing a “tough case” to foster during the holiday season for HuffPost. I’m working on a book from Mo and Ging and am writing essays about my fostering experiences. Through my volunteer blog writing, I also hope to help educate people to improve the lives of cats.

What I Enjoy About Belonging to CWA:

I’ve loved being a part of a community that cares as much about cats as I do. It’s been interesting to see the different ways people are trying to improve the world for cats and the different forms of cat-inspired creativity. I have enjoyed the Zoom Chats I’ve participated in. I hope I can attend more often in the coming months and meet more members. It was also fun to win the Hartz Newcomer Cat Communications Award in 2024. Now I can say I’m an award winner!

Part 2:

Mollie: What is your favorite cat book and why?

As a 2025 goal, I decided to get better acquainted with the cat genre. So far this year, I’ve read two wonderful books, If Cats Disappeared from the World and We’ll Prescribe You a Cat. They were clever and playful and both elevated the reputation of cats with their portrayals. I enjoyed the fresh take on cat stories from both authors. Mo has reviewed If Cats Disappeared from the World on Insta (search “mo_and_ging”) and gave it 5/5 catnip mice rating. Ging’s review of We’ll Prescribe You a Cat is coming soon.

Mollie: Tell us a true cat story. 

I wasn’t planning on adopting Mo and Ginger. After seven years of fostering cats, they were going to be my last before I moved in with my partner, Steve. I took them in along with their brother Doodle with the idea that I would have them for a month or two. They were 12 weeks old, feral, and terribly sick. Mo could barely open her eyes because of an infection. I syringe-fed Ginger because she stopped eating. 

They seemed to have recovered, but then a few days after neuter surgery, Doodle developed a fever and died. I was heartbroken. That was my first experience with a foster who died, and I struggled with sadness and wondered if I could have done something to save him.

My foster organization wanted me to keep Mo and Ginger longer than we usually keep kittens because they still had sniffles, and it wasn’t clear if they had what Doodle had. At about eight months old, we decided Mo and Ginger were ready for adoption. They quickly got six applications. I interviewed applicants. One told me, “I feel like these are your cats.” I immediately started crying while protesting that she was wrong. But she wasn’t. I couldn’t let them go. We had been through so much together, and I wanted to keep them close. 

Soon it’s their two-year adoption anniversary.  I am glad we stayed together. We moved in with Steve last spring. I adore them, and Steve makes a fantastic cat daddy.

Mollie: “Adopt, Foster, Volunteer, Donate, Educate” is a common slogan for animal rescue. What do you like to do?

All of the above. I have adopted and fostered. I am a monthly donor for Pet Haven of Minnesota. I have seen how they operate and know my dollars are used well. I also volunteer for cat care duty. This involves visiting the cats at our rescue office to clean up their rooms and give them food, water, medicine, and love. 

The cats there are often in tough emotional states. Some were brought there after the death of a guardian, some were found abandoned in apartments, and others were surrendered by their families for various reasons. It’s rewarding being able to give them comfort during their transition.

I also enjoy educating through my blog articles for Ruff Start Rescue. I often learn a lot myself during the blog research process.

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

Mo and Ginger are abbreviations for Molasses and Gingersnap. People ask me how I tell them apart. It’s easy for me most of the time. I call Mo my “grandpa cat” because she has so much ear hair. She is usually relaxed and happy. Ginger is more intense and playful and always ready to eat. 

They love each other and will groom each other, snuggle, and play. When they hear the garage door open, they come running from wherever they are to greet me. I’m usually asked to give belly rubs. It’s a great way to come home.

You can find Mary online at marychristinekane.com.

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