If you’ve ever stumbled upon the Instagram account @catcatcity_, chances are you’ve smiled. Maybe it was a video of a dapper cat in a crown enjoying a treat like a king (hello, Alfie). Maybe it was a thrifted belt that looked straight out of a 1970s music video. Or maybe it was Laura Cantua’s unfiltered honesty about life with chronic illness, creative burnout, and the chaos of trying to photograph cats while running a business out of her Southern California home.
Whatever brought you there, one thing is certain—you stayed because it felt real.
Behind every photo and post is Laura Cantua, a woman whose life has been deeply shaped by rescue cats, vintage finds, and the kind of grit that only comes from navigating life’s curveballs with both humor and heart. She doesn’t just love cats. She lives for them. Her world, which she lovingly calls CatCatCity, is a soft-spoken rebellion against perfection culture; an ode to the messy, meaningful life that happens when you let passion lead.
Born from Pain, Built on Purpose
CatCatCity didn’t begin as a business. It began as a survival strategy.
Years ago, Laura was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a neurological condition that causes intense facial pain, often described as one of the most excruciating conditions known to medicine. For Laura, it meant days, sometimes weeks, spent in bed, unable to work, socialize, or engage with the outside world as she once did.
But she wasn’t alone. Her cats, each of them rescues with their own stories of survival, were her quiet companions. In those still, painful moments, she began to photograph them. First as a distraction, then as an outlet, and finally, as a voice.
Scrolling through old camera rolls filled with feline closeups reminded her that this wasn’t new. Even as a kid, she used her mom’s 110 camera to capture stray cats around the neighborhood. It had always been in her—this deep affection for creatures that ask for little and give so much.
As her health forced her to leave behind traditional employment, Laura’s husband stepped in to support the family financially. Still, she longed for a way to contribute—to care not just for her cats, but because of them. That’s when she turned to reselling.
From Rap Lyrics to Rescue Mission
The name “CatCatCity” was born from a playful twist on Tyga’s song “Rack Rack City”—a little edge, a little fun, and a whole lot of cats. A friend encouraged Laura to list some of her clothes on Poshmark, and once she made her first sale, she was hooked. Suddenly, she made money that could go toward cat food, vet visits, and rescue supplies.
But this wasn’t just about sales. It became another outlet for her creativity. Laura’s love for vintage runs deep—tied to childhood memories, thrift store hauls in high school, and an enduring respect for the beauty of “old things.” Whether it’s a wooden cat figurine that’s been spared a tail-snapping fate or a Y2K jacket with just the right amount of shimmer, every item in her shop carries her signature: thoughtful, offbeat, and deeply personal.
The House that Alfie Runs
Laura and her husband share their home with six cats, each with their own quirks, preferences, and sometimes diva tendencies (we see you, Alfie). Their home is not just a space for cuddles and chaos; it’s a living tribute to second chances. Every cat in their household was once a stray or feral.
At the center of the content is Alfie, the camera-loving cat who treats photoshoots like red carpet appearances. Ask him if he’s ready to go to work, and he’ll let you know. Laura is deeply intuitive about her cats’ moods—if one isn’t feeling it, she doesn’t force it. Respect is at the heart of everything she does, whether that’s pausing a shoot or stopping her own work to break up a cat spat (and then cleaning litter boxes, taking out the trash, feeding the humans, and remembering what she was doing before all of that began).
Managing a multicat household is no joke, especially when you also run a business from home. But Laura has found her rhythm, even if it’s more jazz than classical.
From Trash to Treasure: The Vintage Hustle
Laura sells on Poshmark, Depop, and eBay, choosing platforms based on each item’s vibe. Poshmark is her bread and butter, Depop gets the trend-driven Y2K gems, and eBay is where the thrill of the auction shines, especially for rare or collectible finds.
She’s particularly obsessed with belts. “Belts and buckles are my thing,” she says with a laugh. “They photograph beautifully, and since I don’t wear them, I don’t get attached.” That last part is important because Laura falls in love with a lot of the pieces she sources. The ones she’s most excited about often take the longest to sell (or never do), but that’s fine by her. She’s built a cozy little collection of wooden cat statues and vintage oddities that bring her joy.
Meowdels & Microbrands: The Creator Life
As Laura’s account grew, so did her opportunities. But she’s quick to note that not all offers are created equal. Like many creators, she waded through her fair share of scammy DMs promising “brand ambassadorship” in exchange for shipping fees. But eventually, something genuine came along.
A small pet brand, Paco & Pepper, reached out offering a free bag of their new litter. No pressure, no strings. Laura took a chance, and it paid off. She loved the product, posted about it, and was later asked to voice over one of their videos. That’s when it clicked: her cats weren’t just pets, they were meowdels, and she was a storyteller with reach and relevance.
Since then, she’s collaborated with various small businesses and startups, focusing on brands that feel mission-driven, honest, and communicative. She’s also inspired her audience to become more mindful pet parents. “I didn’t know half these products existed before I started creating content,” she shares. “Now I get to share what actually works and help people make informed decisions for their animals.”
A City of Color and Care
Just outside their home, Laura and her husband have built an outdoor cat village. A colorful Pueblo-inspired space designed to offer warmth, water, and food to stray and feral cats in the neighborhood. Many of the cats they’ve helped over the years come from this very setup. Some they’ve successfully TNR’d (trap, neuter, release). Others have found their way into the Cantua family.
They plan to keep building, dreaming of a small fountain in the village square. It’s whimsical and beautiful but also deeply practical. That’s the magic of Laura’s world: it’s grounded in care and elevated by creativity.
Realness Over Rules
Laura’s message to other creators is simple: ditch the algorithm and embrace the authenticity. She’s seen firsthand how social media rewards sameness, but she refuses to fall in line. Her content isn’t polished to perfection—it’s relatable. And it resonates.
Whether she’s posting a behind-the-scenes of a chaotic photo shoot, showing off a flea market haul, or reflecting on the heartbreaks of rescue work, Laura is consistently human. She reminds us that it’s okay to be messy, inconsistent, and honest. She encourages others to share what lights them up, even if it doesn’t fit neatly into a niche.
A Digital Village
In the end, Laura hopes that people who follow her, whether they’re in it for the vintage finds, the rescue updates, or the cat crown content, feel a little less alone. She sees social media not as a performance stage, but as a digital village, where ideas, differences, and friendships can all coexist.
“What an amazing time to be alive,” she says, “where we can reach people all over the world to share our ideas, dreams, and even embrace our differences.”
And really, that’s what CatCatCity is all about. It’s not just a handle. It’s a heart-led movement to build connection, one thrifted belt and one whiskered face at a time.
🐾 Want to Join the City?
Follow Laura and her cast of feline co-stars at
📸 @catcatcity_ on Instagram
🛍️ Shop her curated vintage closet
💌 Collaborations? Conversations? Cat wisdom? Slide into her DMs. She’s always down to chat.
THE OUBAITORI EDIT 
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