About Me
Hi, I'm Noelle.
I've loved cats for as long as I can remember.
My first family cat came into my life when I was three years old. Her name was Pusson, and she was with me through my childhood and teenage years. She was my first experience of that particular kind of relationship you can have with a cat...the feeling that they aren't simply animals who live in your house. They're family. They're individuals. They have their own personalities, preferences, quirks and ways of communicating.
In my early twenties, I adopted my first cat of my own, Willow, while living in Dublin, Ireland. Willow had been abandoned and was initially an incredibly shy cat. He spent months hiding under my bed, but slowly, patiently, he learned that he was safe. We built a life together in Dublin and eventually moved to Los Angeles, my home town, and ultimately, Montreal.
Over the years, and across three countries, cats have been a constant in my life.
And apparently, I've always had a bit of a way with them.
I've been called the “creepy cat lady” because cats who supposedly don't like strangers have a tendency to end up on my lap within minutes. I've had feral cats weaving through my legs at outdoor cafés. I've visited people who warned me that their cat didn't like strangers, only to have that same cat climbing onto me before long.
I've been told I have a gift for connecting with cats. But I've always felt that they were drawn to me just as much as I was drawn to them.
The cats who shaped me
When I took a job in the film industry, while living in Los Angeles, Willow was exhibiting signs of loneliness. A colleague had been taking care of an approximately one year old outdoor cat, but was moving and could no longer care for her. The day I met Maggie, a beautiful tortoiseshell, was the day I brought her home. Maggie and Willow became inseparable. Watching their relationship, and getting to know Maggie's very particular personality, taught me even more about how individual cats are, and how much their history and experiences shape who they become.
When Willow crossed the rainbow bridge, Riley joined our family.
Riley came from a rescue situation with her mother and brothers. She climbed into my lap as a kitten and, in many ways, never really left it. She became my soul cat.
Riley and Maggie developed an extraordinary bond. After Maggie died suddenly, and in front of us, Riley struggled with the loss, and I watched her navigate grief and change in ways that made me even more aware of just how complex cats' emotional lives can be.
Riley needed a companion. I reached out to a friend and she connected me with The Pussy Patrol, a local rescue. I went to meet the "Rainbow Kittens," 5 siblings who were all black and were identified by different colour collars. Bowie was "Little Red." The cat distribution system did its job when I sat on the floor surrounded by all the kittens and Bowie climbed into my lap, purring, and fell asleep.
Bowie is quirky, funny, fearless and completely himself. He and Riley became best friends. They played together constantly, and Riley even taught Bowie to groom her head. Watching the two of them interact gave me another window into the social lives of cats and into how much they can teach one another.
And then I lost Riley, my soul cat. She crossed the rainbow bridge rather suddenly and left us grief stricken.
Bowie was incredibly lonely after we lost Riley. He had never been alone. Our relationship started to deepen, but I recognized that he needed a feline companion.
Enter Lily.
Lily arrived as a tiny, scared little cat. She came to us courtesy of Lady Gatta Cat Rescue and Adoption as a foster kitty. After 4 days, I officially adopted her. The ultimate foster fail! As she gained confidence, I discovered she is feisty and chaotic with a huge personality. She has been teaching me ever since. She spent her first months outdoors before being rescued, and she grew into an extraordinary hunter, a quick learner and the "Goblin Queen of The Mushroom Village."
Bowie and Lily bonded instantly, sleeping intertwined within the first week. Living with them has also given me the opportunity to watch another fascinating cat relationship develop—one that is still teaching me every day about communication, boundaries, play, attachment and individuality.
Every one of these cats has been different. Every one has taught me something. Every one has reinforced something I've believed for as long as I can remember: there is no such thing as “just a cat.”
Turning passion into practice.
I hold a Diploma in Feline Behaviour and Psychology, graduating with distinction.
I'm also a Supporting Member of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) and am currently participating in the IAABC Cat Behavior Consulting Mentorship Program, continuing to develop my skills and knowledge alongside experienced professionals in the field.
All of my cats have been rescued. Two of them, Maggie and Lily, spent significant time living outdoors before joining my family. Both became extraordinary hunters, and both taught me just how much there is to understand about the natural behaviours cats bring with them.
That's what I love about feline behaviour.
Cats are always communicating, and sometimes we just need to learn how to listen.
Welcome to Whisker Wisdom.
My goal is to help people understand their cats and what drives their behaviour, then work together to create practical, compassionate, science-based solutions that make life better for both cats and their humans.
When we understand why a cat is behaving a certain way, we can address the underlying needs and find solutions that work with the cat, not against them. And that can change everything.
