‘All cats have individual personalities. It may take longer than a dog to bond with you, but they do,” says Meowseum co-founder
You may find this story a bit sing-song.
Innisfil resident Lynn van der Valk is playing a key role in the development of the Meowseum, known as Canada’s Cat Museum, which is currently in the process of organizing special events at locations in Ontario and Quebec. The first, held in May at a Campbellville agricultural sanctuary, featured children’s crafts, a vendor market and farm tours.
But the organizers’ long-term goal is to raise enough support and awareness to become a full-fledged charity and have a museum space in Montreal destroyed within five years. At that kitty perch they would have temporary and permanent exhibits, a cat sanctuary, a feline-themed play area for kids, and a versatile event space.
Co-founder of Meowseum alongside Montreal resident Aqeela Nahani, van der Valk wants to offer all cat lovers a place to meet, bond and share their interests.
“Cats tend to be a point of connection for a lot of people,” she said. “They can actually lead to deeper connections. People who want to know what’s so special about cats can come in and learn. There’s a big educational component.”
She says cats are often misunderstood, but they’ve played a necessary role throughout human history, from helping keep rodent populations low on farms to carrying an innate ability to recognize when to pet painful or stressed owners.
“Cats are known for being secretive, but that’s not the case,” said van der Valk. “All cats have individual personalities. It may take longer than a dog to bond with you, but they do.”
This project was started after van der Valk and Nahani met in 2022 and immediately hit it off because of their shared love of felines.
There are a few similar museums scattered around the world, although kitty cafes tend to be more the cat’s meow in the Greater Toronto Area, she said.
The cause is important to van der Valk, a cat lover since childhood who currently lives with five of his feline friends. Her fascination began when her family adopted her grandparents’ cats after her grandfather’s death.
“I was seven years old and it was the first time we had pets in the house,” she said, remembering a time when the number was growing and seven adoptees lived in the family home. “I have rescued a significant number of cats throughout my life. We ended up having cats upstairs and cats downstairs. There was a cat management system… some of them didn’t get along. What we did while I was growing up really sparked a love for animals. Since I was seven years old I have never been without a cat. They are a lot of fun.”
If a permanent space is created, van der Valk would focus on the sanctuary element.
“I have a little more experience with agricultural sanctuaries and cat rescue,” she said. “But a lot of what we do is remote.”
The co-founders want input on exhibition ideas and are also looking for new volunteers and locations to host upcoming events, van der Valk said.
“One of the big concepts of Meowseum is sharing the education and joy of cats,” she said. “We are a brand new organization. It’s amazing… to be able to tell our story.”
For more information about Meowseum, visit meowseum.ca or Meowseum.miaousee on Instagram.
