Heidi Bender

Heidi Bender is a writer and the founder of the Joy of Cats. Heidi has been living with cats since 2003 and loves to talk about cats. Heidi's journey to becoming a cat lady is interesting and she never planned to have many cats.

Along the way she also learned how to do Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for feral outdoor cats. She has helped TNR more than 50 cats, helping neighbors and friends feeding outdoor cats.

She currently has seven indoor cats and two outdoor cats. Heidi also enjoys creating paintings that feature cats. She also writes about thank-you notes on her site, Tons of Thanks.

Woman holding a skinny cat on her chest with another cat sleeping on the couch behind them.

The Hardest Part of Owning a Cat

November 8, 2024October 18, 2024 by Heidi Bender

I love cats and enjoy living with them. They are my favorite. And then the hard part comes. Their fur begins to not look so …

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Two cats, Charlotte and Taco, playing with the butterfly toy.

My 6 Cats Tried This Automatic Butterfly Cat Toy

July 19, 2024June 13, 2024 by Heidi Bender

About a month ago, my cats were sent an automatic butterfly cat toy to play with. This is their first-ever automatic toy. Some of the …

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Kitty Lawn Review: Ten Cats and a Racoon Tried It

December 14, 2025March 8, 2024 by Heidi Bender

I was sent a free Kitty Lawn for my cats to try out. Kitty Lawn is a patch of grass that comes in a box. …

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Buster on a cat tower with a rainbow in the background.

Buster’s Final Story: My Favorite Cat Has Died

September 1, 2024February 28, 2024 by Heidi Bender

Buster was my favorite cat so far. He died on February 22, 2024. We recused him from the yard on January 18, 2011. He was …

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4 Ways To Help Outdoor Cats Survive

July 2, 2024January 4, 2024 by Heidi Bender

My adventure with helping outdoor cats began in 2011. I’ve learned a lot since then. Most of my experiences are based on the cats in …

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The 2023 Annual Cat Letter

December 20, 2024December 19, 2023 by Heidi Bender

When I mail Christmas cards, I include a letter about the cats. I decided not to send cards this year, but I still wanted to …

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A Review of Burt: The Airport Cat Book

December 1, 2023 by Heidi Bender

Burt: The Airport Cat Book is a cute children’s story that will delight cat lovers of any age. The author, Christine Henry, sent me a …

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Top 10 Boxed Cat Christmas Cards

December 24, 2025November 21, 2023 by Heidi Bender

Below are my top 10 sets of boxed Cat Christmas cards! These are the 10 I would pick between if ordering cat holiday cards on …

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Haflinger Cat Slippers for Women Review

December 14, 2025November 20, 2023 by Heidi Bender

I discovered Haflinger cat slippers back in 2018. I had another pair of Haflinger slippers for years that I loved but had worn out (and …

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How To Have Money for Your Cat’s Vet Care

September 15, 2023 by Heidi Bender

You’ve got no money, and your cat needs to see the vet. It’s an all too common situation. I’m not talking about expensive surgeries or …

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