A Farewell to cat fancy magazine

earlier this week, I received cat Fancy’s 50th anniversary issue in the mail. It’s also, sadly, the magazine’s final issue. I had known about the magazine’s demise because the beginning of December, when I received a call from editor Susan Logan-McCracken. As a contributing writer, I very much appreciated that Susan took the time for this personal notification.

Cat fancy was acquired by I-5 publishing at the beginning of 2013. In July of 2014, the acquisition of Catster made I-5 publishing the world’s largest owned and operated online pet network with roughly 5 million monthly visitors. I-5 also acquired CatChannel, canine Fancy, and Dogster.

I’m very sad to see cat fancy go – not just because of its history, and because I was a contributor, but because I hate to see publications disappear that offer solid, factual information, to be replaced by glossy entertainment. It seems to be a trend in publishing in general, not just in the cat world.

I understand that publishing is a business. The trend in cat culture, especially online, is toward home entertainment and humor, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. and while I’d like to think there’s a place for both in this world, I also understand the economics of having to give the public what it wants.

My memories of cat fancy go back to the mid 1980’s, when I moved to the United States, and when my first cat Feebee came into my life. I knew nothing about cats at the time other than that I loved them. cat fancy became one of my many trusted sources of information for me (keep in mind, this was the dark ages before the internet…) and I looked forward to each new issue.

Cat fancy is probably also ultimately responsible for helping me find work that I’m passionate about: writing about cats, and educating cat guardians about how to keep their cats pleased and healthy. I have a vibrant memory of reading an issue of the magazine sometime back in the mid 1990’s, thinking how amazing it would be if I could find work that would allow me to work with cats all the time. shortly thereafter, my “fancy” became a reality when I started working at veterinary hospitals. then about eight years ago, I began writing (mostly about cats) full time.

The good news is that I-5 is not completely giving up on print media. cat fancy will relaunch as Catster Magazine, which will come out six times a year. The tone of the new publication will many likely imitate Catster’s online presence and tone. When I spoke with Susan Logan-McCracken about the new magazine, I joked that it sounded like it will be “Cat fancy Light.”

As Susan wrote so eloquently about the new magazine in her final editorial in cat Fancy’s final issue, “It will still be a voice for all cats and people like you who love them. Cherish life. celebrate love and things that never change. but embrace transformation, for without it, there’s no growth or progress.”

I’m trying, Susan. I wish I-5 much success with Catster Magazine. but as I’m reading this stunning final issue of a magazine that has been such a significant part of my life, I can’t help but shed a tear or two. The cat world won’t be the same without cat Fancy.

Ingrid King

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53 comments on A Farewell to cat fancy Magazine

Pat says:

December 21, 2019 at 12:26 pm

I stopped getting cat fancy as it was over 50% ads for breeders. Catster is aimed much more at the plain common man on the street cat owner, lover, enthusiast.

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Carmen Lombardi says:

January 30, 2020 at 5:32 am

I delighted in subscribing to cat fancy cause it was informative about certain breeds. This was the kind of issue whether you are a pet owner or just a breeder. I am so sorry it’s no longer in the magazine market. I really hope this CatFancy magazine returns back on the news stand.

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Ms.Pamela S Gerik says:

September 28, 2017 at 7:55 pm

9/2012 – Thurs.

Dear Sirs:

To the new owners: If I subscribe … will this still be magazine issues and how much is your 6 mo/only product to be ? From cat fancy to Catster.

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Julian Cochran says:

December 18, 2017 at 6:40 am

I turned 18 in 1985 and started selling magazines. Yes, I was one of those bothersome kids who’d knock on your door and talk about a contest. It’s too bad what that company ultimately became. apparently I had joined when it was making its transition from being a terrific job and travel opportunity for a young adult to having white trash stealing from people all over these United States.
But I digress.
I did it for a couple of year and really delighted in it. towards the mid to late 80’s it became a haven for runaways and chain smoking morons, to put it lightly. I stopped in ’88 and started University.
But anyway…I loved Loved loved selling cat Fancy!! We had cats, growing up and I knew all about them…and my mother had subscribed to cat Fancy…So I actually knew what Inullnull