What started as a spontaneous decision to adopt a kitten rapidly became a record-breaking phenomenon. When Pookie Methachittiphan first started sharing photos of her adorable cross-eyed kitty, Nala, she had no idea that her audience would soon grow from friends and family to a global community of millions of cat lovers focused on celebrating cats, educating pet parents, supporting animal rescues, and creating products that genuinely improve feline health.

Pookie shares her journey from international student to Guinness World Record holder for the “Most followers on Instagram for a Cat”, and co-founder and CEO of premium cat food company Love, Nala, whose mission is to help cats live healthier, happier lives.

I Thought I Was Rescuing Nala. Looking Back, I Realize She Rescued Me

I had moved to the US from Thailand as a student a few years earlier, and I wasn’t even planning to adopt a cat that day. I had simply gone with a friend who wanted to visit an overcrowded shelter. Then I saw this tiny kitten sitting quietly in the corner. Looking into her eyes, I just couldn’t leave without her.

Shelters are filled with incredible animals simply waiting for someone to believe in them, and the perfect pet may not always be the one you planned to adopt; it may be the one who unexpectedly chooses you.

That’s exactly what happened with Nala.

At the time, I honestly thought I was rescuing her, but looking back now, I realize she rescued me.

She gave me purpose, introduced me to millions of wonderful people, and completely changed my life in ways I never could have imagined.

In the beginning, Instagram was simply a way for my family back in Thailand to watch Nala grow. As more people started following us, I realized something much bigger was happening. People weren’t just enjoying cute photos – they were connecting with Nala emotionally. They shared stories about how she inspired them to adopt a shelter cat or helped them through difficult times.

That was the moment we realized we had a responsibility. Our platform could create a real, positive impact.

Since then, we’ve focused not only on entertaining people, but also on educating cat parents, advocating for shelter adoption, and building a community centered around kindness and compassion.

Lessons From Nala

Nala is incredibly gentle and affectionate. She loves being around people and has this calming presence that instantly makes everyone smile. She is a bit spicy at times, though!

Throughout the day, every Zoom meeting, product review, and photoshoot is under close feline supervision. Sometimes they’re helping…and sometimes they’re making things much harder! Evenings are my favorite because everyone settles down together on the couch for quiet family time.

Cats don’t live on our schedules; they have their own, so I’ve had to learn to be more patient. My pets have also taught me to slow down, appreciate the small moments, and celebrate simple everyday routines that often become our favorite memories.

Something I wish more people understood about having pets is that they aren’t just companions; they’re family members. They deserve proper nutrition, preventive healthcare, patience, love, and lifelong commitment.

One of the hardest parts of loving a pet is knowing they won’t be with us forever. The years may seem long while you’re living them, but they always pass much faster than we wish.

Cherish every moment.

Algorithms Change – Nala Doesn’t

Social media is always evolving, and we’ve learned that if you genuinely focus on creating meaningful content and building trust with your audience, people keep coming back. Instead of chasing trends or trying to go viral, we focus on telling stories that matter and sharing our real life with our cats.

People connect with authenticity far more than perfection. Sharing real experiences, educating where we can, and remembering that every piece of content should provide value – whether that’s making someone smile, teaching them something new, or inspiring them to help an animal.

If I were starting today, I would still do exactly what we did in the beginning: tell honest stories and let the love between you and your pet shine through.

Authenticity has always outlasted algorithms.

Passion Alone Isn’t Enough To Build A Company

What lots of people might not know is that we didn’t set out to start a pet food company. Love, Nala was created because after years of learning from veterinarians, nutritionists, and millions of cat parents, we believed we could build products that genuinely improve cats’ lives.

Moving from “content creator” to “business founder” certainly had its challenges. Suddenly I had to learn about finance, supply chains, manufacturing, fundraising, retail partnerships, hiring, inventory planning, and leadership.

It has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding.

Q & A

Describe Nala in three words:
Loving. Gentle. Inspiring.

Who’s really in charge—you or your cats?
Let’s be honest…the cats.

Favorite activity together:
Simply relaxing at home together. Whether we’re cuddling on the couch or enjoying a quiet afternoon, those everyday moments are the ones I treasure most.

I’m incredibly grateful for the community we’ve built over the years. Many followers have been with us for over a decade. We’ve watched people adopt their first cats, start families, experience loss, and celebrate joyful milestones together.

It feels much more like a family than an audience.

We love connecting with fellow cat lovers and sharing everything from everyday life with our cats to nutrition, rescue advocacy, and behind-the-scenes moments as we continue building Love, Nala.

Readers can follow our journey here:

Instagram:
@Nala_Cat
@LoveNalaCo

Website:
www.lovenala.com