Meet Ingrid Johnson: Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ingrid Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ingrid, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I recognized a need and I rolled with it! I began by offering advice through the vet practice where I was working, but so many clients expressed interest in home visits or a lengthier and more detailed phone call than I could provide in that setting, so I decided to start consulting privately apart from my veterinary job. As for the other products we make and services we provide, those were created to fill a gap in the market. Most scratching posts are too short, are covered in fuzzy tufted carpet and do not meet a cat’s innate need to scratch, so we decided to create our own and do better than what was commercially available. Plus, ours are pretty! Your cat’s scratching post should not be an eyesore in your living room! It should match the decor so you place it in a prominent location where your cat feels the need to scratch and scent mark. Cats scratch in high traffic pathways so location of the post is key to use. As for the foraging toys and litter boxes, same. When I first started making food puzzles (a.k.a. foraging toys) there were very few commercially available. Now that the market has blown up, my hand-made toys are still very popular and compliment the commercial toys quite nicely, plus some clients just prefer to support locally made products. The litter boxes I make and recommend are bigger and better than anything you can buy in a store, so I keep offering the service of “litter box cutting” as well! 

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My life’s goal is to make the world a better place for animals. No, it is not easy. Humans present the most challenge and most every cat I help is attached to a human! Persevering in the face of adversity, constant push back, heartbreak, knowing you cannot save them all are the hurdles. Understanding the cats and what they are trying to communicate is often the easy part, helping their humans have empathy for what their cats are going through, empowering the pet parent to medicate, treat them, try one more thing, care enough to see the situation through even when they are frustrated, these are the real challenges. I think what sets me apart is that I diversify and offer a wide variety of services and areas of expertise when it comes to cats. I can talk behavior, medicine, training, etc. I can help resolve existing problems or act more preventatively, which of course is always a much better route to take! I also offer medicating consultations to help ensure cats get the suppportive care they need and deserve. I do not take “no” for an answer. There is always a way, so I try to encourage my clients to push through and keep trying too.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take them to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, a walk on the beltline, hiking in the North Georgia Mountains, and if it was seasonally available I love the Grant Park tour of homes each spring and fall. I also love the summer festivals here in Atlanta, particularly the Grant Park Summer Shade festival and the Dogwood festival. Since I am a vegetarian I would be sure to swing by Herben Fix and Cafe Sunflower for a bite to eat and fun cocktails! If said friends were down for some dancing, I’d probably check out a Nonsense dance party at the Basement in East Atlanta Village!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr. Stephanie Globerman at Paws Whiskers and Claws, the Feline Hospital. She is the veterinarian I work for and who helps me manage the medical side of many of my cases. She and I are a team and our combined services and expertise allow us both to help a lot of cats!

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