Internet Sensation Girls and Their Cats Comes to Portland

1Photographer BriAnne Wills and Tucker in Crown Heights.

I found Tucker on a busy street in Kiev, Ukraine. He was emaciated, filthy and crying for help. I took him home, thinking he was probably going to die. But as soon as I fed him and gave him a warm bed, he perked right up. My husband and I already had a cat so we didn’t think we could keep him, but we soon fell in love and he’s been with us ever since. Now he lives happily with us in our Brooklyn apartment.

2Photographer BriAnne Wills and Tucker in Crown Heights.

I found Tucker on a busy street in Kiev, Ukraine. He was emaciated, filthy and crying for help. I took him home, thinking he was probably going to die. But as soon as I fed him and gave him a warm bed, he perked right up. My husband and I already had a cat so we didn’t think we could keep him, but we soon fell in love and he’s been with us ever since. Now he lives happily with us in our Brooklyn apartment.

3Designer Lindsey Reif

Lindsey and Ramona in NE Portland. Ramona is a 4 yr old Persian mix adopted from the Oregon Humane Society. She has her own Instagram @ramona.grams and is lovingly referred to as Beyoncé for her diva-like personality.

4Designer Lindsey Reif

Lindsey and Ramona in NE Portland. Ramona is a 4 yr old Persian mix adopted from the Oregon Humane Society. She has her own Instagram @ramona.grams and is lovingly referred to as Beyoncé for her diva-like personality.

5Macrame Artist Emily Katz

Emily and Cowbear in NE Portland. “Cowbear lived on the streets until she was picked up by our friend (@melanieisansty) and taken in. The scrawny cat ate all the catfood for 3 days, and then had a litter of kittens on a pile of clothes. My partner Adam took the mom (Cowbear, and yes she came with that name) and one of the kittens (who later went a bit crazy and found a more compatible home). That was over 15 years ago, and she is still roaming the neighborhood taming her territory and loving on us daily.”

6Macrame Artist Emily Katz

Emily and Cowbear in NE Portland. “Cowbear lived on the streets until she was picked up by our friend (@melanieisansty) and taken in. The scrawny cat ate all the catfood for 3 days, and then had a litter of kittens on a pile of clothes. My partner Adam took the mom (Cowbear, and yes she came with that name) and one of the kittens (who later went a bit crazy and found a more compatible home). That was over 15 years ago, and she is still roaming the neighborhood taming her territory and loving on us daily.”

7Art Producer Monica Choy

Monica and Linus in SE Portland. Monica has two cats- Linus and Zorro, but Zorro had other plans and couldn’t be found in time for these photos. They were adopted 4 years ago on Monica’s birthday after her husband artist Souther Salazaar drew her a little coupon to pick out a kitten from a feral litter found on their friend’s property. “I was only supposed to choose one, but these two were so bonded that I couldn’t bear splitting them up – I had to take them both. When they were growing up, they were inseparable little twin-cats”

8Portland Monthly Style Editor Eden Dawn

Eden and Ruby in NE Portland. Eden lost her childhood cat after 22 years and was heartbroken, swearing she could never have another. After a month she missed cats in her life so much she started browsing the adoptable cats section on Craigslist – just to look. “I saw a picture of tiny little 5 week old Ruby who had been abandoned by her mom and then the owners moved away. One look at that small furry face, I sprung into action and picked her up that night. Ten years later, she still acts like an ornery kitten alternating between cuddling, fake fighting, and sleeping.”

9Portland Monthly Style Editor Eden Dawn

Eden and Ruby in NE Portland. Eden lost her childhood cat after 22 years and was heartbroken, swearing she could never have another. After a month she missed cats in her life so much she started browsing the adoptable cats section on Craigslist – just to look. “I saw a picture of tiny little 5 week old Ruby who had been abandoned by her mom and then the owners moved away. One look at that small furry face, I sprung into action and picked her up that night. Ten years later, she still acts like an ornery kitten alternating between cuddling, fake fighting, and sleeping.”

10Art Producer Monica Choy

Monica and Linus in SE Portland. Monica has two cats- Linus and Zorro, but Zorro had other plans and couldn’t be found in time for these photos. They were adopted 4 years ago on Monica’s birthday after her husband artist Souther Salazaar drew her a little coupon to pick out a kitten from a feral litter found on their friend’s property. “I was only supposed to choose one, but these two were so bonded that I couldn’t bear splitting them up – I had to take them both. When they were growing up, they were inseparable little twin-cats”

11Hair & Makeup Artist Viridiana Cervantes

Viridiana and Max in NE Portland for #girlsandtheircats #girlsandtheircatsOR
Viridiana adopted Max from the Oregon humane society @oregonhumane as a kitten 3 years ago after her old cat was hit by a car and she needed another furry companion to help ease her pain. “Max was already a charmer and as we were leaving all of the staff came to say goodbye to him and told me he was going to grow up to be a lover. They were so right.”

12Hair & Makeup Artist Viridiana Cervantes

Viridiana and Max in NE Portland for #girlsandtheircats #girlsandtheircatsOR
Viridiana adopted Max from the Oregon humane society @oregonhumane as a kitten 3 years ago after her old cat was hit by a car and she needed another furry companion to help ease her pain. “Max was already a charmer and as we were leaving all of the staff came to say goodbye to him and told me he was going to grow up to be a lover. They were so right.”

13Girls and Their Cats – NYC