Nala Cat has 3.4 million followers on Instagram – a Guinness World Record. She was featured in the 2016 film Nine Lives and starred with Grumpy Cat in Purina’s Hard to Be a Cat at Christmas and Cat Summer videos. But before she was a star, she was just a shelter cat looking for a furever home.

KATNISS: I remember the first time I met you. It was before I had embarked on my career as a cat journalist. I was at a fundraiser for Kitten Rescue, I walked in, and there you were. I was a big fan, so I was starstruck. It was my first time meeting a famous meowdel and advo-cat.

NALA: Furreal? That’s so sweet.

KATNISS: You’d just raised money for Kitten Rescue and were there to purrsent it to them.

NALA: I think it’s impurrtant to give back to cat rescue organizations and shelters.

KATNISS: When I first saw the your shelter photo, I found it hard to believe it was mew!

NALA: Yeah, I was a bit sickly then and underweight. But soon, I started filling out.

Young Nala

KATNISS: And just look at you now — so delightfully round-headed and… round. It’s an amazing transfurmation.

NALA: That’s what love can do. When my Meowmy laid eyes on me, it was love at first sight. I licked her face with my scratchy tongue to show her I felt the same way.

Jackson Galaxy, Nala and Pookie (aka Meowmy)

KATNISS: And later, you helped her find her one true Human love. Tell me about that.

NALA: Well, my Meowmy starting posting pictures of me online, to share with her friends and family who lived far away. Before we knew it, I had all kinds of followers! I’d be lion if I said I wasn’t surprised! Anyway, one of those followers was this really creative woman who made bowties for cats. She sent me some bowties as a gift.

KATNISS: Yes, Shannon Ellis Designs! I know those bowties. You made them famous.

NALA: Meowmy really liked the bowties and decided to promote them. When the designer was visiting Los Angeles on business, they arranged to meet up to discuss their bowtie venture. Well, when Meowmy laid eyes on Shannon, it was love at first sight… and the feline was mutual. Only there was no scratchy-tongue face-licking this time.

KATNISS: MOL! So your online fan met and fell in love with not only you, but your Humom as well.

NALA: Yes, and the rest is hisstory. My family now includes small Humans and cat siblings – White Coffee Cat and Hello Luna Rose.

KATNISS: You’re very furtunate.

Nala and White Coffee Cat plushies at CatCon

NALA: No kitten. Every month, a portion of the money raised from my Nala Cat merchandise goes to animal shelters to help pets who are in need of homes. Because I believe every cat deserves a second chance at a happy ending.