Cats Make The World A Better Place Just By Existing And These 50 Pics Prove It

Cat behavior experts tell Bored Panda that their love for cats blossomed in their early years. Following this passion, they decided to turn it into their careers, one way or another.

"My love for cats stems from a lifelong connection. Growing up as a child, I was fortunate to have cats around me, whether they were in the same household or community cats in the neighbourhood. I always felt a deep, unspoken bond; they seemed to sense and understand when I would have good days and my challenging days. Naturally, in return, a lifelong curiosity to try and understand them better developed," shares certified cat behavior consultant Krista Schulte.

"This led me to volunteering in shelters with them, and then to formal study. Cats are not small dogs, as they have signals that are often obvious; cats express themselves with “subtle” behaviours that are frequently missed or misinterpreted.

I decided to turn the number of cats I would see surrendered into a career because I realized the huge lack of specialized, humane expertise available to pet parents, especially when dealing with stress-related concerns. I wanted to translate feline science into something that was actionable and humanized advice to keep cats in their homes and everyone truly happy."

Certified cat behavior consultant Amanda Caron also recalls being drawn to cats since she was little.

"There’s something about the way they communicate—quietly, subtly—that’s always fascinated me. It felt like a kind of unspoken connection—a conversation without words. As I got older, I developed a strong interest in psychology, especially how both humans and animals think and behave," she shares.

"Eventually, I realized I could combine those two passions into my future. For me, working with cats is a way to bridge science and empathy—understanding how they think and feel, why they behave the way they do, and building trust and connection in the ways they need most."

Meanwhile, for feline behavior and nutrition coach Jennifer Van de Kieft, her path to her true calling wasn't as straightforward.

"My family had cats growing up, and they were always an important part of our lives. I've been admiring cats all my life. When I was younger, I didn't realize feline behavior was an option as a career. I thought being a veterinarian was the only way to work with cats, and I didn't think that was for me.

In 2017, I left my job running an addiction treatment center in NYC and began the process of getting certified in feline behavior and training. The next year, I opened my business, Cat Advocate - Feline Behavior Solutions. Since that time, I also became certified in pet nutrition, so I focus a lot on how nutrition and feeding affect behavior with my clients."