Basil Farrow and I did an interview about responsible cat care for animal rights organization PETA2, which you can read below and here. (I left out the introduction, since you already know who I am, and included the answers that they omitted due to lack of space.) PS: I am not a member of PETA, but when they approached me to take part in an interview, I thought it would be a great platform for speaking about the animal issues that are important to me. Basil Farrow has to watch out for his furry friends!

How did you first get involved with helping animals? Did you have any animal companions growing up?
As a child, I cared so dearly for animals that I didn’t even distinguish between real and plush! I was horrified to see my friends throw around their stuffed animals; I always made sure mine were clean and standing upright. I even bought cans of real cat food for my Hello Kitties. Growing up, I shared my home with fish, turtles, budgies and lovebirds. Birds are incredibly intelligent and affectionate beings — if you socialize them right. I feel most people treat their birds like fancy decorations, and it breaks my heart.

Tell us about your cat, Basil Farrow.
Basil Farrow is a Scottish Fold cat, hence the tiny fold-ears. He was raised by activist/actress Mia Farrow and she loved him dearly — but her recent travels didn’t let her spend enough time with him. So he came to live with me. It was a tough decision, but she knew this was best for his well-being.
Basil isn’t a typical cat – he’s more like a sweet little kid or teddy bear! He loves to meet people; he’ll come when you call his name and lick your hand. Not many cats will demand tummy rubs and to be carried around. You can see in his videos and blog just how affectionate he is.

Can you give your fans some Basil-tested tips for keeping cats happy and healthy?
Keeping my Scottish Fold happy is my number one priority! Here is a video we made with tips on keeping cats cool in the summer; it applies to dogs and other animals as well. I did a blog post about the type of food and litter I provide: I refuse to feed Basil anything with fillers or byproducts. Every day, I set aside time for cuddles, playtime and/or grooming. Don’t forget to brush your cat’s fur and clean his ears, introduce new toys, and keep your house cat-friendly.

Why is spaying and neutering such an important part of responsible companion animal care?
Many people don’t realize that millions of unwanted animals are killed every year, simply because they are homeless. Pet births are a ticket to misery and death for the mother and litter – and they’re so easily preventable by spaying and neutering. So let’s do our part! Plus, a spayed or neutered pet is less aggressive and less prone to certain health problems. There is simply no excuse for not having this simple operation done as early as possible.

Tell us about your decision not to wear fur.
I never had any desire to wear fur. My parents’ generation oohed and ahhed over pelts, but mine has a very different attitude. As a child, whenever a relative proudly showed me her furs, I’d refuse to touch it and scold, “That comes from a cute bunny or fox!” Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I learned about the cruelty of wearing animals from my peers and the media. And I’m optimistic that the next generations will be even more anti-fur.

As a fashion blogger, do you find that people put pressure on you to wear fur? If so, how do you handle that?
It is the opposite – the bulk of my blog readers are animal lovers, and they make sure I’m doing all I can to help animal causes. I once posted a Ted Nugent song (not knowing about his hunting advocacy), and people were quick to educate me in the comments. I think if I did wear fur, there would be an outcry – as there should be.

Do you have any favorite vegetarian foods?
I surely do, as I mostly eat a vegetarian diet. In my new cookbook Cute Yummy Time, I have recipes that are both meat-free and adorable (everything is decorated to look like Japanese-style characters!) Such as an egg white quiche that resembles an owl wearing glasses. Strawberry and dark chocolate cupcakes that look like hobgoblins. And a mango coconut pannacotta, which is vegan if you use a gelatin substitute such as agar-agar.

What issue involving animals is dearest to your heart?
It upsets me when owners don’t take proper care of their pets, especially cats. Felines don’t show when they are in pain, and since they can be independent, owners don’t take them to the vet regularly. But cats can have serious health problems that only a vet can detect – such as tooth decay or internal troubles, which are best treated early on. I urge you to take your cats to the vet for (at the very least) a yearly check-up, and certainly when they show any sign of discomfort. It upsets me when people won’t put aside money for quality food and health care; I think this should be the priority. Instead of buying something frivolous, I spent all my birthday money on Basil’s vet bills.

You have a lot of fans out there, which gives you a powerful platform to reach people and make a difference. What is your message to them about having compassion and getting active to help animals?
Tiny, personal actions towards animal compassion will have a gigantic impact. My advice is to start in your own home and take proper care of your pets. Your attitude will spread to other parts of your life: I started Basil’s Scottish Fold blog because he is such a joy. Readers began sending me questions about cat care or pleas for adoption, and I’ve done my best to help out. I’ve also found that my friends help reinforce my attitude; we discuss animal issues, and make trips to the Tokyo Vegetarian Festival and Vegan Healing Café in Shibuya.

Hope you enjoyed the interview! You can see more of my Scottish Fold cat’s photos and stories on his blog. Do you have any other tips on how to make a difference? Which animal rights issues are most important to you? I’d love to hear from you.