When Elka was on a mission to get her first cat, it needed to be a perfect match. Not for her… For her dog. Turns out, it was a breed of cat with a big personality and absolutely no fur that fit the bill. (And yes, they’re still full of calming, purring cuddles!)

Shelter staff spend so much time with the dogs in their care, they know their true potential. Behind the stress, the anxiety, the calls for attention–They know how the dog really is. That’s exactly how one “at risk” dog named Stetson got a second chance… And ended up as a specially trained detection K9.

Programs like CATS (Canine Airport Therapy Squad) at Denver International Airport (DIA) include over 125 dogs who come in to help ease stress for travelers from all over the world. But in 2018, they realized something was missing… And Liane and Nathan had just what they needed: Their very first therapy cat: Xeli.

When Georgia lost her vision overnight, she realized life would feel different from that point forward. But her first guide dog, Grainger, and her current guide dog, Maggie, both proved that life can be filled with independence, adventure, and endless amounts of love–no matter what.

When Tiffany Perkins, shelter dog advocate and founder of PAWS Friend Network, saw firsthand that senior and disabled dogs were being overlooked, she knew she could change how people see these dogs. And because of her, dogs who may have been euthanized are getting a second chance at life.

Whether it’s a dog, cat, or pig, life would be incomplete without them in it. Wait. Pig? Well, that’s certainly the case for Carol Melvin, passionate pet parent and owner of Pee Wee Fields. Her journey into pig-parenthood was unexpected… But now, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kinsey Frazier—rabbit enthusiast, Animal Control Officer, and animal lover since birth—experienced a life surrounded by pets from the very beginning. And it was this very upbringing that fostered her love of bunnies (the bigger, the better!) and led to a career path working with pets who need support the most.

Can you even imagine a life without a pet nearby?? For some pet parents, yes, they actually can. Pets were absent from their childhood, and sometimes, even strictly forbidden. That was the case for Luna Guo–Marketing Strategist, social media manager of @sunny_the_majestic, and animal lover to the core–but it wasn’t enough to make her give up.

When it’s time to bring a new pet into your home, choosing which one isn’t always an easy decision. But for Tyler Dawson-Arroyo--pet sitter, personal assistant, visual artist, and Cotl's own Community Growth & Insights Coordinator--the decision to adopt Pamina ended up being the easiest he’s ever made–it just wasn’t the one he was expecting.

Sometimes, pets are brought into our life very intentionally. Other times, it may be more circumstantial: maybe the pet needed a new home or we found them all alone. Does that mean we love them any less? For Sean Valle, Cotl’s founder and CEO, the pet he never planned on getting was the one he needed most.

The new year is the perfect time to reflect on what we’ve been doing and where we’d like to show up differently–not just in our own lives, but in those of our pets too. Read below for some fun New Year’s resolutions from each of the pet parents helping build Cotl. Their pets may have some resolutions of their own 😏

This Christmas, we thought we'd share a story inspired by the craziest cat in all of winter wonderland. 🎁 You'll learn more about Jack soon. But in the meantime, may Jack's silliness brighten your holiday the way it brightens our founder Sean's life every day. ☃️

When we think about what we’re thankful for, our pets are front and center. So, we asked our team what makes their pets so special. 🍂 Read below for some gratitude from each of the pet parents helping build Cotl. 🥧