From his front-row seat to history (preferably the sunny windowsill by the famous black door), Larry has witnessed political upheavals, stared down foreign foxes, and perfected the art of holding the powerful accountable - one #CatCheck at a time. In this exclusive interview, Downing Street's most permanent resident shares his unfiltered views on political lodgers, his secret to maintaining order (and securing extra meals), and what it truly takes to be Britain's most beloved civil servant.

You've been at No. 10 for over a decade - what's a day in the life of Britain's Chief Mouser like? And what's your skincare routine?

14 years pass quickly if you spend most of your time sleeping, napping or dozing! A typical day starts with breakfast at noon, brunch at 12.30, lunch at 1, and tea at 2. I go for a stroll, see my photographer friends, say hello to a world leader or two, and then go for a rest. I take care of my fur, though it leaves my tongue a bit rough.

Do you have a favorite spot in Downing Street to nap or keep watch?

There are lots of good spots for napping in Downing Street - Boris Johnson had a different spot for each day of the week! My personal favourite is the windowsill at the front, next to the famous door. Means I can keep one eye open to see who's coming and going.

We've seen photos of you surveying the premises - how would you rate the security situation under your watch? Any notable "intruders" (besides politicians)?

Security is provided by my friends at the Metropolitan Police - they keep (most) troublemakers away, though unfortunately, one or two have a pass... There's a fox that likes to skulk around sometimes, but I showed him who's boss.

If you could pick one historical figure to share a saucer of milk with, who would it be and why?

A fun fact is that David Cameron wanted to call me Winston, but a journalist revealed that I was already named Larry. I'd love to have a chat with Winston - it's fair to say I haven't had the best of luck with the calibre of political lodgers, so it would be nice to spend time with the best to have done the job.

Do you have a favorite prime minister? Or maybe a least favorite one?

I'll always have a soft spot for David Cameron for bringing me here, though that was pretty much the only thing he did right. In terms of least favourite, Boris Johnson left more hair on the furniture than I did.

If you were in charge (officially), what's the first law you'd pass?

My first law would be to create a new meal between breakfast and brunch. My next would be to put someone else in charge.

How do you feel about all the dogs and birds that have come and gone from No. 10?

Birds are good for exercise, dogs are ruddy nonsense. Boris Johnson had a dog called Dilyn; a scruffy and reckless fool who left a trail of destruction in his wake. Dilyn was nothing like as bad as his owner.

The world is changing fast, so much is happening, both good and bad. But you always manage to keep people entertained. What's your secret to staying positive?

There's a lot of negativity in the world and especially on Twitter since Elon Musk took over, so the least I can do is try and bring a bit of positivity. I have lots of reasons to be grateful; I was looked after by my friends at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and then I became the nation's favourite pet.

Thanks for starting #CatCheck! Tell us more about it - what inspired you and what do you want to achieve?

As well as positivity it's important to stand up for what's right. I'm lucky to have lots of followers, and the least I can do is let them know when other people are telling porkies on Twitter. It's a shame those people are often the richest man in the world and the President of the United States, but that's life!

What's one thing about you that most people don't know?

That my food, vet bills etc are covered by the staff at Number 10 - I don't cost the taxpayers a penny.

What book would you recommend on Britain in WWII?

The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain

*Originally published on: https://furrend.xyz/blog/larry-downing-street-cat

We spent a long time looking for a kitten but eventually decided to stop searching, trusting that the right one would come to us when the time was right. Soon after, a colleague told us she had found a stray and asked if anyone could take her in! It felt like a dream, we said yes right away, and by the end of the week, Molecule was home with us. She felt comfortable with us from the very first moment.

Molecule loves water! She’s always in the bathtub or the sink. We’ve always encouraged her curiosity and shown her everything we do, so now she’s also our little kitchen helper, watching and inspecting everything when we cook.

She has a fascination with plants and loves dipping her paws in the dirt. We had to hide all our plants in the kitchen, but somehow, she still finds a way to sneak in and scatter dirt all over the counter! That’s the most mischievous thing Molecule has done.

Our phones are full of photos and videos of Molly.

We never make her do anything. She’s just naturally funny and entertaining. We always have plenty of pictures and videos from our time with her. The trick is to constantly take pics and videos, eventually, you get a gem in there!

We’re looking for a little brother for Molecule! She has so much energy and would love a sibling to play with. We also want to train her to walk on a harness so she can safely explore new places since she’s such a curious cat.

We love the idea of the Furrend app, it’s great to see so many pets in one place! We’d really love an option to add our own sounds or trending sounds to pictures and videos since that’s a big part of the content we enjoy making with Molecule. We’re excited to see how the app improves and grows!

We thank Eleonora for sharing Molecule’s story with us 🧡

You can follow Molecule on TikTok or watch her videos on Furrend.

Stay tuned for more inspiring Furrend stories, where we celebrate those making a difference in the pet community.

In our conversation, she unpacks the challenges of explaining science, the gender dynamics in research, and the thrill of embracing the unknown. She also shares big plans for 2025, wisdom on keeping cats healthy (courtesy of her nearly 20-year-old cat, Plume), and the wild story of how Plume once got caught up in a forensics case. Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered about the genetics behind your cat’s quirks, Elodie has some fun facts for you.

Watch the full interview:

After almost a decade of building, surviving bear markets, and riding bull runs, we can finally say: “We’re so back!”

Here’s our take on the biggest wins, lessons learned last year, and trends shaping the road ahead in consumer crypto.

State of Consumer Crypto in 2024

Crypto went from niche to nearly universal awareness, with 93% of the world recognizing the term “crypto.” Despite skyrocketing awareness, only 17% actively used it. The user base seemed younger (18–34) and more diverse, with women accounting for 31% of users. Cultural moments like Base’s* Onchain Summer* sparked curiosity, with Google searches for “onchain” jumping 5x — because, let’s face it, onchain became the new online.

Developers thrived, too. Electric Capital’s 2024 Developer Report recorded a 39% annual growth in crypto developers since Ethereum’s launch, with 39,148 new devs joining the space last year.

And what actually drove the hype? Here are the key consumer use cases:

• Payments: Stablecoins dominated cross-border transfers.

• Trading: DEXs and DeFi — Pump.fun was probably the most successful, game-changing, and profitable web3 project in 2024.

• Gaming: Play-to-earn models finally matured, leaving Ponzi vibes behind.

• Collectibles: Platforms like Zora and DRiP Haus continued to thrive.

• Social media: Apps like Warpcast, Dracula, Blackbird, Moshi, Surreal, PERMA, and Furrend made crypto actually fun.

• Prediction markets: Polymarket’s $2B trading volume during election season was mind-blowing.

Trends Shaping the Ecosystem

Memecoins: “What’s the ticker?”

Memecoins officially graduated from funny jokes to cultural phenomenon. Projects like Pump.fun capitalized on emotional appeal, pulling in $2–$3M daily by December — that’s 100x Uniswap’s daily revenue.

Animal-themed memecoins stole the spotlight. Dog wif hat ($WIF) raised $690K to slap its logo on the Vegas Sphere, while Moo Deng, the pygmy baby hippo, became Thailand’s breakout pop star, and its Solana-based token soared 2,000x since summer. Beyond speculation, these coins embraced real-world impact, from innovative distribution models and community rallies to animal charity donations.

Crypto + AI: The dream team

AI made launching crypto projects as easy as launching a meme page. Projects like Vana, Vaderai.ai, and Basegod.fun tokenized everything from AI agents to data and beyond.

Even Vitalik Buterin couldn’t stop raving about AI’s potential in blockchain: data ownership, monetization, and transparency.

AI agents aren’t chasing clicks; they’re chasing results. Instead of optimizing for likes or views, AI agents are delivering tangible outcomes like streamlining workflows, reducing inefficiencies, and optimizing resource allocation. In crypto, this could mean automated treasury management for DAOs, real-time smart contract auditing, or even automated trading strategies that react to market shifts.

Imagine a world where attention-seeking algorithms are replaced by real value creation. That’s where we’re headed.

Better onboarding: finally!

Layer2s had another moment in 2024 (ZKSync, we see you), but the real magic? Simplified consumer user onboarding. Coinbase’s smart wallet removed the 12-word passphrase, making crypto access easier for beginners. Farcaster introduced Frames, mini-apps embedded in social posts, while Solana’s Blinks transformed blockchain actions into shareable links. Ethereum’s EIP-4844 upgrade made fees drop to pennies — perfect for keeping crypto seamlessly integrated into user experiences. Also, Bitcoin Ordinals onboarded tons of new users to the Bitcoin community.

A major shift is happening: it’s no longer about which chain to build on but about being chain-agnostic. Apps are where the real value lies.

Regulatory clarity

The EU and Southeast Asia introduced clear and practical regulatory frameworks. Think crypto for securing loans, enabling ownership stakes, and integrating into everyday business. While it’s not all sunshine globally, progress is progress.

Challenges and Opportunities

2024 brought its fair share of challenges:

• Scams and fraud — because rug pulls are unfortunately still a thing.

• Market volatility — not everyone wants their paycheck to swing with Bitcoin’s price.

• Regulatory uncertainty continues in key markets.

However, there are significant opportunities:

• Real-world utility: Digital assets can bridge the gap between online and offline experiences by providing tangible benefits like discounts, exclusive rewards, and token-gated perks. For example, NFTs could unlock physical experiences like VIP concert access or loyalty program enhancements.

• Emotional connections: Memes, pop culture, and pets are powerful entry points for new users. Platforms that use emotional storytelling and community engagement can foster stronger brand loyalty.

• Programmable incentives: Tokens are becoming more dynamic and interactive. If you’re a brand looking to integrate crypto into your customer engagement strategy, you’ll need programmable rewards, real-time distribution, and built-in revenue sharing to align user and business incentives and create sustainable ecosystems.

• Targeted token distribution: The future isn’t blanket airdrops but smart, conditional ones rewarding active, engaged users — boosting retention and utility.

• Education and simplification: Crypto concepts are still intimidating for many people. By simplifying onboarding experiences and using relatable analogies, platforms can attract and retain new users. Think of crypto not as “web3” but as a behind-the-scenes technology powering apps users already love.

Looking ahead, programmable rewards and dynamic token models will redefine how businesses align incentives with their audiences. Tokens are no longer speculative assets — they’re tools for crowdfunding, revenue sharing, and community building. As regulatory oversight increases, we’ll expect more transparent and innovative token models to emerge, signaling a maturation of the space.

If you’re a consumer crypto builder and building in a bull market, please avoid superficial trends and stay true to your original vision. You want to focus on solving real problems, building solid distribution channels, and obsessing over long-term user retention. The fundamentals are still the same.

Mainstream Adoption

2024 wasn’t just about headlines; crypto hit the streets (and luxury stores).

• Luxury brands: Gucci, Balenciaga, Adidas, and more embraced crypto payments.

• Institutional interest: MicroStrategy doubled down on Bitcoin.

• NFT accessibility: Zora, DRiP, objkt, and Foundation (Rodeo) made minting mobile-friendly, driving affordable collections.

Great projects emerged last year, from Degen to Pump.fun. One of our favorite consumer projects, Blackbird, continued serving the masses and making people happy, while OGs like Friend.tech pivoted to stay in the game. Prediction markets like Polymarket saw record engagement, and fresh faces like Pump.fun kept the ecosystem pump and spicy.

Funding and M&A Highlights

Major funding rounds:

• Story Protocol: $80M Series B (let by A16z).

• Farcaster: $150M Series A (led by Paradigm).

• Monad Labs: $225M (led by Paradigm).

Key acquisitions:

• Coinbase acquired Utopia.

• Zora acquired Mint Fun.

• Stripe bought Bridge for $1.1 billion.

2024 wasn’t perfect, but it was pivotal. Clearer regulations, mainstream adoption, and innovative use cases set the stage for crypto’s next chapter. Founders, please avoid shiny distractions, solve real problems, and build for the long haul. Companies are built in bear markets and tested in bull markets. Build something that thrives in both.

The challenge for 2025? Building consumer crypto that’s practical, engaging, and here to stay. Let’s make it happen.

Want to see how far we’ve come? Check out our 2023 Consumer Crypto Report for 2023’s highlights and trends.

I’ve worked at a few different zoos and aquariums, and they often have a smaller “animal programs” department with dedicated animal ambassadors who do presentations. These inspired me to create a similar dedicated program sans the zoo! Our goals are to shine a spotlight on misunderstood species as well as showcase the individual personalities of each animal to allow our viewers to create a bond with each one! When you truly care about something, you are more passionate to protect it.

Pumpkin’s capygram videos

They happened entirely by chance through our awesome fans! One day, we had a fan ask if we could cheer up their friend with a paper “sign,” and Pumpkin sniffed it and checked it out. She did not try to eat the actual paper, by the way. After I sent them the video, they jokingly said it would be funny if she nibbled on the paper a bit, and the light bulb went off!

“What eviction notice?” — Pumpkin

The stars of Dark Wings Wildlife

To be honest, they really don’t need much of our help for them to stand out! They each have their own personalities that people connect with and even relate to.

Trixie is a little agent of chaos who loves nothing more than getting into trouble and staying all up in your business. We’ve also got our blind goose, Nibbler, who we don’t feature quite as much because he generally prefers not to be bothered! He might be blind and hand-raised, but he’s 100% grumpy goose!

The biggest misconception people have about the animals

It really depends on the animal! Lots of people realize crows are smart, and the internet has actually done a really good job dispelling the overarching connection between crows/ravens and death or bad omens. However, even people who know about their intelligence are surprised by just how much personality and spunk Trixie has! It’s not just her either, corvids as a whole have such BIG personalities.

Even the capybaras hold their own misconceptions. The biggest one being they they’re these big chill animals that are friends with everyone. They’re certainly big, but they are prey species and behave much more like a guinea pig or a deer than a dog. They take lots of socializing to be friendly, and with other capybaras they can be quite aggressive towards one another. Acclimating them to other animals can be a lot more time intensive and precarious than the average person would realize.

I’d really say it’s more of a conglomeration of all the experience I’ve had working with the public over the years. Whether it’s teaching people that snakes are helpful animals that can keep pests out of their yard when working at an aquarium or talking to a viewer now about how they never realized what cool animals crows are or how many different species existed.

About Dark Wings Wildlife

We started Dark Wings Wildlife with the idea of building this program one step and one animal at a time. My idea was to keep everything very small and intimate, growing our social media over time and utilizing those platforms to monetize until we developed a program that could pay for itself and grow it from there. Everything started completely out of pocket, with me working a full-time job while using my spare time to build our online presence. I still work a full-time job, but with our social media and capygrams we’ve been able to create a completely self-sustaining program that not only pays for our animal’s day-to-day care but is also allowing us to expand and grow. We’re in the process of fencing a new capy pasture right now, and we just purchased a pool upgrade that we’re working on getting installed in the coming months!

As for my favorite part about working with our animals, it’s a combination of the awesome connection that I can share with our viewers as well as building such strong bonds with the animals themselves. Seeing all the adorable nuances of their personalities and being able to share that with millions of people is absolutely amazing. Something as simple as Cheesecake having a ridiculously sassy-looking side eye that brings joy to people on a daily basis can not only work to bring people happiness but also help foster a love for these animals!

Plans for Dark Wings Wildlife

I’d love to see everything continue to grow and expand exactly the way we’ve been seeing it do! A more long-term goal is to continue to expand as our program expands, taking in more ambassadors — hopefully, a few non-releasable native species as well, while still keeping that hands-on approach that allows our viewers to connect with each individual animal.

We are a 501c(3) nonprofit, but I’ve always tried to keep our program running without relying on or asking for public donations. The best way for people to support us in this journey is to simply follow us, like our content, and interact with our posts via commenting and sharing! Doing this is a simple and easy (and free) way to help us reach more people. You can also support us by ordering a capygram yourself! The best way to do that is to reach out via Instagram message or email us. We are also creating a Patreon for those fans who want to support us further and get more connected to your favorite animals!

Our email is darkwingswildlife@gmail.com, and you can find our brand new Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DarkWingsWildlife.

We thank Marina for sharing their story with us 🧡

You can follow Dark Wings Wildlife on IG and TikTok, support them via Patreon, and check out their merch shop!

Stay tuned for more inspiring Furrend stories, where we celebrate those making a difference in the pet community.

About Furrend

Furrend is the web3 pet video-sharing social network that provides the tools, resources, and infrastructure for content creators to monetize their work and engage with their community through digital collectibles. Launched in 2023, Furrend enables creators to share a continuous stream of high-quality content with users — fueling their love for pets, inspiring creativity, and providing valuable insights and entertainment. We aim to empower them to pursue their passions, further fuel their creativity, and continue producing exceptional pet-related content that resonates with our global audience.

Connect with us:

• Check out our website furrend.xyz

• Follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/furrend

• If you’re a pet content creator, request an invite to join as a creator

At Furrend, we see the same joy and connection that pets bring to every household — whether they’re making us laugh or comforting us during tough times. From dogs and cats to birds, reptiles, and even fish, all pets bring a special kind of joy into our lives. And it turns out, the pet industry is booming as people worldwide discover the magic of having a furry, feathered, or even scaly friend.

In 2023, the global pet industry hit $320 billion, and experts predict it’ll grow another 25% by 2030. That’s over $400 billion being spent on our beloved pets in just a few years. From premium food and grooming services to vet care, OTC medicine, and quirky toys, pets are becoming an even more integral part of our daily lives — and the numbers prove it.

Pet Ownership is on the Rise

Globally, 33% of households own pets. In the U.S., that jumps to 66%, with nearly 82 million homes welcoming pets into their families. This love for animals is driving massive growth in the pet market.

But it’s not just about owning pets — many people are turning their pets into social media stars. According to the New York Post, 1 in 4 pet owners wants their fur baby to go viral. Have a pet account? Tag us on Insta and X! The rise of stars like Moo Deng and Pesto shows that this trend is only gaining momentum.

https://x.com/hifurrend/status/1841888556933103884/photo/1

Pets and Mental Health: A Powerful Bond

Why is the pet industry growing so fast? It’s simple: pets improve our lives. Studies show that animals reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost happiness. They provide emotional support that even humans can’t always offer.

During the pandemic, pet adoptions surged as people sought companionship and comfort. As we continue to navigate life post-pandemic, many have realized the lasting joy pets bring into our lives. Pets help us feel cared for and remind us to enjoy life’s small moments. As more people recognize how much pets enhance their well-being, the demand for products and services continues to grow.

The Future of the Pet Industry

According to Bloomberg, the global pet industry will reach $500 billion by 2030. This explosive growth shows just how integral pets have become. We’re witnessing significant innovation in pet care, technology, and entertainment — from popular animal content creators and influencers to brands leveraging the emotional connection pets create.

Research also shows that brands featuring pets in their marketing campaigns see up to a **295% increase **in comments on social media posts. On average, these brands experience an **89% boost **in comments and a **19% increase **in likes. Additionally, pet-related content generates **2.5 times **more engagement than non-pet content, illustrating the strong emotional resonance pets have with audiences. This engagement translates into consumer behavior; ads with pets lead to a greater likelihood of purchases, as consumers feel more connected and willing to take risks when animals are included​.

As the industry expands, we can expect healthier pet food, more personalized services, and gadgets to keep our pets entertained. The future for our furry friends is incredibly bright.

The pet industry isn’t just growing — it’s transforming. Pets are family members who bring joy, improve mental health, and unite us. With more pet owners embracing the idea of turning their pets into social media stars, this booming industry shows no signs of slowing down.

At Furrend, we’re excited to be part of this journey. We’re building Furrend for the 198 million pet content creators in a $320B+ market — and we’re just getting started!

Connect with us:

• Check out our website furrend.xyz.

• Follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

• If you’re a pet content creator, request an invite to join as a creator.

Her project goes beyond individual stories. It examines how the movement for compensation evolved in the 1980s and what it reveals about Britain in the post-war era, touching on topics like Cold War militarism and national identity. And lucky for us, we sat down with Fiona to learn about the project and the book she’s working on. We also had a front-row seat to watch Reg being Reg. For Fiona, it’s more than a job — it’s a labor of love, and Reg is right there, reminding us that sometimes, chaos is the way forward.

We thank Fiona for chatting with us 🧡

You can follow Fiona on Twitter/X @FionaBowler.

Stay tuned for more inspiring Furrend stories, where we celebrate those making a difference in the pet community.

Full interview in texts:

My name is Jonathan Wolfe. I’m a full-time artist. I’ve been into art for as long as I can remember. I do mostly painting, sometimes sculpture and animation. I found the web3 space through some friends. I remember going on Twitter and just seeing a little bit more of it every day. That was around 2020, early 2020. I reached out to some of my friends who were into it, and now I’m here.

I would consider myself an artist, but I don’t know if I consider myself a crypto artist. I just don’t want to limit myself to anything. I really enjoy crypto. But it’s not everything I do, so I wouldn’t call myself just a crypto artist.

I’m 100 percent a cat person. I’ll say it. I love dogs but have always been a cat person. I’ve never had a dog, but, not to be rude, I don’t really plan to. I just like cats too much. Maybe one day, if I have a lot of land, I’ll get a cow.

https://x.com/JonathanWWolfe/status/1751996017883672626

The thing that brings the most joy is when you have an idea in your head, and then, after some time, you can execute it to the same level that you have in your head. It’s so fulfilling to have an idea and then be able to see it in real life. My process usually starts with drawing. I do a lot of drawing. From there, I’ll take those drawings and figure out which ones I think would look good as a painting. My paintings are mostly acrylic on wood panels. And then, they’re pretty small, usually around 8 by 10 inches.

https://x.com/JonathanWWolfe/status/1823070408607973577

Sometimes I’ll take photos of those paintings and then animate them digitally further.

Having an idea for something and then seeing it realized in the real world is really satisfying. That’s probably my favorite part of the process is executing that idea.

I’m showing some work in my town here. It’s been really interesting. That’s like the first time. I’ve shown in a gallery at that level. Usually, it’s like a group show with just one or two pieces. This is also a group show, but I made eight pieces. It was really interesting to make a body of work like that. That was really intentional. I find with social media, it’s so easy just to make one-off pieces, and then you don’t really look at them as a group. So I thought that was a lot of useful.

https://x.com/JonathanWWolfe/status/1810089734812962912

Lately, I’ve just been really interested in painting photos that I took myself. Before, I wouldn’t really care; if I found something on Instagram that I thought was funny, I would still draw it, but now I’m being a lot more intentional. I just want to capture moments in my life. Maybe it was funny with this show that I’m in right now.

I was planning out the drawings of the paintings I wanted to do, and five of them were cat drawings, and I was like, okay. We can have one cat painting in the show. It is kind of funny, like documenting my life, but half the photos I take are just of my cat.

https://x.com/JonathanWWolfe/status/1809642934708630006

The inspirations — I think I’m really inspired by light. I love how shadows are different colors at different times of the day. Most of the references I’ve been using lately are just inspired by interesting uses of color. I love the idea of capturing the sunset in a way that makes it seem like this fleeting moment when you’re capturing the sunset in the painting, but with painting, it’s so physical. And I find that really satisfying. So that’s kind of been a big inspiration for capturing different colors. It’s also been really challenging for me; I am just learning how to use these bright colors in my work but not having it be too busy. I really enjoy using neon paint in my work. Maybe you wouldn’t know it’s neon, but it’s definitely a bit brighter. So that’s been the main inspiration, which is just to play around with different colors and lighting.

I’ve just been back in the studio recently, kind of just working on personal work and doing a lot of drawing right now. And then, pretty soon here, I want to get back into minting a couple more NFTs. I want to get back into 1/1. That’s kind of all I have planned so far. There are definitely a lot of free mints right now. But I think there’s a good audience for 1/1s, especially on SuperRare. It seems like that’s a good spot for it right now.

I love NFT. I’ve been at this for about four years now. They’ve offered me a lot of freedom in my career. It’s interesting to see where they’re at now. I definitely think we’re at a bit of a low point, but I don’t think it’s over. So it’s interesting to see the different waves. That’s why I wouldn’t consider myself a crypto artist, though. I love crypto and NFTs, but I also love showing them in a gallery and doing stuff like that.

My daily routines — I’m a pretty simple guy. I don’t like to travel a ton or do anything like that. I’m just happy to make it work full-time. It is still amazing to me that I can be an artist full-time, so I’m just grateful for that. I think that’s a good part about being an artist is you can decide your time. I wake up and sleep through my meetings, and then I usually go to my studio around noon. And then, yeah, I try to paint for about six hours a day. After that, I usually have a bunch of sketches, and I bring those home. I’ll scan them or just upload them to my iPad and figure out how to make them into paintings. Usually, after I’m done painting, I’ll come home, do the sketches, and then do any sort of digital work or website admin stuff. So, it’s mostly painting, but some sort of a digital aspect there, too.

I really like to bike. I have a garden I like to maintain. That’s been a lot of fun. That’s like my new hobby. It’s mostly just biking, being outside, just enjoying the summer. Yeah, just a lot of art consumes my life, to be honest.

I am very grateful that I get to do what I love the most. It’s easy to do a lot of work when it’s what I love.

Favorite artists — Oh, it gives me chills. That’s so emotional. I think an artist that I’ve been really interested in recently is B. Kliban. He did all these kitschy cat drawings in the 90s, and they’ve been a million; they really took his work and made like a million different products with it. I don’t know if he was down with it or if this was posthumous or something, but there are t-shirts, mugs, and pencil cases. And it’s really interesting to see how he monetized his work. It’s like so prevalent. I just find that really interesting. The scale on which he was able to put his stuff out there is really inspiring. But besides that, I just love the work. He does these really funny drawings of cats that are very, uh, I think they’re a good depiction of what it’s like to own a cat, which I think is really honest and fun. It’s just interesting to see how he was able to take his work and then expand it past just a drawing to different mediums in that way.

Ideally, it would have a balance between gallery work and commercial stuff. I never just want to be one thing. I like the idea of having complete freedom with my work in that way. Maybe, maybe not, make my work into a product as much as B. Kliban did. His stuff is everywhere, but I enjoy that side of the artwork, too. It’s really satisfying to create a product and ship it to customers. So I think it’s a good balance, like in between. I want to do both of those.

https://x.com/JonathanWWolfe/status/1806788373488730278

Growing up, I always had cats. I had a cat named Beatrice. She was this black and white cat. We found her on a milk farm, and the company that made the milk was called Beatrice. So we named her after that. And she looked like a little cow. So that was kind of my intro to cats and cows, my two favorite animals.

I had another tabby named Rex when I was younger. And then now I got Eddie. I’ve had Eddie for, I think, nine years now, eight or nine years. He’s a big guy. He’s getting really big. I think he’s done growing, though.

https://x.com/JonathanWWolfe/status/1490518137166434305

I originally found a mole on his neck, but it like got a bit bigger. So it wasn’t just like a mole, and I got it checked out, and it turned out it was a cancerous tumor. So we had to get it removed. That’s probably about two years ago now, but he’s been doing good. But yeah, recently, I actually found another one. I hope it’s nothing bad, but he’s getting checked out next week.

I love taking a break from painting and then just watching 10 minutes of really dumb cat videos, like cat memes and stuff. But I also really enjoy the videos where it’s like this beaver was abandoned, and this woman took care of it. It’s like those like heartfelt ones. I find those really fun, too, but mostly just really dumb memes of cats. Those are my favorites. I guess I’m in a weird spot. Because it’s not like I make pet content, but like pets are still a big part of my life. So I guess for me, it’s like making work. That’s authentic to that. You know, if I just posted my cat all day, it wouldn’t really make sense; if I posted a drawing of my cat, that would make a lot more sense to my audience.

As for Furrend — I saw a mouse — I opened up the app and the first video I saw was someone walking their mouse. And I thought that was really fun.

I really enjoy the app because on Instagram, I’ll go to the Explore page and click a video of a cat, and then maybe it will show me one or two other cat videos. But then, all of a sudden, I’m watching something totally different. But I really enjoyed the app for that. It’s like you open the app, and you know what you’re going to see, which is a good thing. I’m not going to be served some weird stuff. It’s like, oh, I want to go on the app and watch some cat videos and relax. Whereas Instagram, I feel like they like to try to pull you in, and they’ll like to show you a couple of cat videos, and then they’ll slowly show you something else. So, I really enjoy using the app. It’s kind of like relaxing in that way.

We thank Jonathan for chatting with us 🧡

You can follow Jonathan on Twitter/X and check out his work here.

Stay tuned for more inspiring Furrend stories, where we celebrate those making a difference in the pet community.

We caught Pablo just before his trip to Tokyo for EDCON 2024. Known as Stipinpixel in the crypto art space, Pablo combines art and pets into purrfect masterpieces. He has a knack for turning everyday moments into pixelated magic. His fluffy gray cat Suri and quirky dachshund Marta add humor and chaos to his creative process. Whether it’s Suri’s war on cups or Marta’s adventures in the park, Pablo’s pet-filled life fuels his artistic journey.

Hi, I’m Pablo, known as Stipinpixel in the web3 space. I’ve been in web3 since 2021, working in interior design and pixel art. Currently, I’m finding a way to mix design and art to create more interactive pieces, like video games.

For fun, I do a lot of things. I play with my cat and my dachshund, create pixel art, and take evening walks in the park with my girlfriend. I also love cooking and taking care of my plants.

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Suri is my fluffy gray cat, and he is a year and six months old. My heart sister gave him to me; he used to live with her and my nieces and nephews, along with 13 other cats! I’ve had him since he was very little. I named him Suri because, when he was small, he looked like the suri animals from northern Argentina. His worst enemy is cups! Whenever he sees one, he knocks it over, regardless of whether it has water in it. He’s a serial cup-hater. The house rule is “no cups on the desks”— before going to bed, we have to put away all the glass cups. Suri was raised for a year with his brother Matamune! In fact, when I have to travel, they get to see each other again. They see each other often.

Marta is the dachshund who came into my life along with my girlfriend, with whom I’ve been living for a few months. Marta is 11 years old, which is considered geriatric in dog years. She gets along well with Suri; sometimes, they bark and meow at each other a bit, but when we leave, they sleep together. They are very sweet. Marta is a crazy dog who absolutely LOVES going outside. She’s happiest when she’s outdoors. She has many quirks and thinks she’s a cat. She separates her food before eating and sleeps under the blanket with us in the same bed. Suri does this, too. Marta is also a traveler and occasionally visits her human grandma.

A lot of my art is inspired by my furry pets. They’re a big part of my life, and I love capturing their funny or cute moments and bringing them to life through pixel art and GIFs. I also have a knack for noticing details, especially when I’m out and about. I always manage to spot a hidden cat or some overlooked scene that others might miss.

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I love watching cat videos! My friend Fernando and I often send each other videos of cats or dogs, especially the cute ones or those doing funny things with humans.

Any animal video is always wonderful to watch; it brightens up the day. As for creating video content, I think you just have to be attentive to your furry pet’s spontaneity! Also, give them a toy to keep them active!

I think Furrend is a fantastic app! It’s a space where you can just scroll and see your virtual friends’ pets or epic moments with random animals. I believe it’s a healthy space; it’s like going to a cat café. I get the same feeling from the app. In fact, I’ll try to use it more often.

Thank you, Pablo, for sharing your story with us 🧡

You can follow Pablo’s story on Twitter/X and check out his work here. And of course, you can catch his furrends’ stories on Furrend.

Stay tuned for more inspiring Furrend stories, where we celebrate those making a difference in the pet community.

📱Product Milestones

We introduced Pawer 2.0, our in-app currency system! Now, you can earn Pawers by checking in with “Boop Bubbles”, see how you rank on the Leaderboard, and support your favorite creators with “High Paw” tipping. Plus, stay tuned for even more ways to engage with our awesome creators and earn Pawers!

Also, we debuted the photo slideshow feature, and you can add some cool beats powered by AI:

https://twitter.com/TheButtercupX/status/1781350649969737827

The latest Furrend app is available on iOS TestFlight, Solana dApp Store, and Google Play. If you have feedback, feature requests, or need an invite code, drop us a line at hi@furrend.xyz.

✨ Furrend Creator Spotlight

We’re thrilled to introduce the amazing pet content creator who recently joined us:

🐶 Andy: Andy and his adorable Samoyed Mia have brought us so much joy. Andy’s content creation philosophy: “To create content, you should go outdoors into nature; it’s not only good for the dog but also for oneself!”

https://twitter.com/hifurrend/status/1783495045192339673

That’s it for the April update. We have a lot in store for May — please stay tuned!

Calling all amazing content creators! If you have a furry friend and a talent for creating adorable or heartwarming content, we want to hear from you! Apply now to join our growing community of pet lovers and share your special moments with the world. >>> JOIN US

Thank you for being part of our incredible journey! Here’s to many more heartwarming moments ahead! 🐾

Meet Roberto Vieto Castro, a veterinarian whose love for animals knows no bounds. Hailing from the heart of Costa Rica, Roberto’s fascination with wildlife began at a tender age, ignited by the enchantment of nature’s marvels and the myriad creatures that call it home. With 14 years devoted to the non-profit sector, he’s been a guiding light for conservation, combating illegal wildlife trade, and advocating for responsible wildlife tourism throughout Latin America.

This week, join us as we explore his escapades from wildlife rescues to the heartwarming tales of his feline and canine companions. It’s our privilege to introduce you to this remarkable wildlife warrior!

Hi Roberto, please tell us about you — what’s your story?

I am a veterinarian from Costa Rica with a great passion for conservation and animal welfare. I was born in the capital, a small city in the center of Costa Rica, but since I was a kid, I had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country to enjoy nature and spot wild animals, and that motivated me to become a veterinarian. While studying veterinary medicine, my interest in wild animals increased, and I decided to focus on this group of animals. Currently, I have 14 years of working in the non-profit sector, specifically in wildlife welfare, combating the illegal wildlife trade, promoting responsible wildlife tourism, and working with local communities to safeguard species and their habitats in different parts of Latin America.

Janet, our beloved Furrend creator, told us that you’re also a wildlife rescuer. Is there any rescue story that you’d like to share?

I have been involved in different wildlife rescues, from rescuing injured wild animals in my community to organizing major rescues with the help of international non-governmental organizations, for example, in the case of wildfires or cruel exploitation of wild animals in the name of entertainment, including animals like primates, sloths, jaguars, and an African elephant.

Locally, I have participated in two very iconic rescues of green sea turtles, and these mean a lot to me because I found the animals literally agonizing on the beach, and people around me thought that those animals didn’t have any chance to survive. Gladly, in the two rescues, after staying with the turtles for a long time on the beach, giving some basic vital support, and coordinating with a local rescue center, both animals survived, and one was released back to the wild, and the other one, I expect that will have the same luck of going back to her natural habitat very soon.

In general, at the moment of the release, you have one of the most gratifying feelings, not only because you collaborated with conservation efforts but because that specific individual is back to his habitat and able to express freely his natural behavior.

Tell us about your pets.

I live with a cat, Bali, and a dog, Romi. They have very different personalities, are a great companionship, and bring a lot of fun to my day to day activities.

Bali is more independent; she likes to explore the garden during the night, but a the same time is a little bit lazy and evaluates very well the level of effort she will invest in different activities, except when she hears the package of treats, she love them so much that she will come to get one no matter how far she is.

In the case of Romi, she is a Golden Retriever, called the eternal puppies because of their level of energy and how playful they are. Romi gets super excited when we go for a walk on the beach, and she takes a quick swim in the sea or when she can play with the neighbors during their morning walks.

What’s your plan for this year?

I have several plans for 2024, especially focused on South America. I am supporting a project with giant anteaters and maned wolves, and both species are amazing, I am learning so much, and I am glad that several individuals will be part of monitoring and rehabilitation projects that will allow them to either be released in the wild or play a role as ambassador species to protect their unique habitats, that are suffering due to human activities that drive deforestation and biodiversity loss. Also, I am looking to connect more with traditional populations in Latin America and investigate more about how they protect and celebrate wildlife in their countries or regions.

How would you describe your experience with Furrend?

I would describe my experience in Furrend as inspiring, not only because I can connect with people around the globe who love animals too, but this platform represents a great possibility to spread awareness about unique animal personalities, their behaviors, and what they represent for their human families or the people that take care of them.

It is super motivating to see those funny and cute videos that promote the love and respect for the animal world.

Anything else you wish we asked you about?

This one: What would you like to transmit through your videos? I would love to see my videos generate awareness about animal sentience and the importance of taking care of them and their habitats. When you see funny videos of specific animals, you can see how unique they are, is very different to see the behavior of a domesticated animal, like a dog or a cat, that is adapted to live in our homes and make all kinds of hilarious things, compared to the behaviors of wild animals that live in their natural habitats or are being cared in rescue centers. I think these videos have an enormous potential to educate in a funny way and understand the welfare needs that each individual animal has.

We thank Roberto for sharing his story with us 🧡

Her recent masterpiece, “Meowy Christmas!” not only stole hearts but also marked her debut on the blockchain, captivating over 500 collectors during our Paws for Furrends charity event. Join us as we delve into the whimsical universe of Poorly Drawn Cats, where each stroke of the pen unveils a purrfectly imperfect revelation — one whisker-twitch at a time!

Hi Heloísa! Please tell us about you — what’s your story?

I’m from a small town in the South region of Brazil. In 2016, I moved out of my parent’s house to study law in a city that had universities (Curitiba) and started drawing cats to feel a little less lonely after that change, and that changed my life — now I’m surrounded by people who love my art, and I’m so grateful for that.

My love for drawing goes way back to my childhood. My mom was always supportive, buying me art supplies and enrolling me in art classes. I was that creative kid who wouldn’t stop getting “Can you draw me?” questions. Over the years, it has evolved into requests like, “Can you draw my cat?” — a shift that I’ve come to absolutely love.

Growing up, I was surrounded by nature, finding joy in the presence of chickens, cows, horses, and adorable little ducks. While I’ve always had a strong connection with animals, my affection for cats has held a particularly special place in my heart. They mean everything to me!

Your drawings capture the whimsy and charm of cats so well. Can you share a particular cat encounter that has inspired one of your drawings?

Surely, my sweet Pandora left us last year. She meant the world to me, and she was always so expressive! She had a little pink nose that would get red while having zoomies. As for internet cats that inspired me, probably the Grumpy Cat! I remember that the first time I saw the internet, she was everywhere!

Tell us about your cats.

Well, I had two babies that are no longer with us. Polenta and Pandora. Pandora was my first cat and my grumpy little baby. Polenta was the sweetest little thing! She was already sick when we got her — she was inside a tire, and she was so tiny. I miss both so much that I always get a little emotional talking about them. I’m planning to get a tattoo of them this year! Probably riding a bike because they were the coolest cats ever.

You also volunteer at the Crazy Cat Gang. Do you get to name those rescue cats? If so, any fun names?

I got the opportunity to name some of the foster cats I got! My favorite ones were Kiki and Jiji! There was also Lombriga (the Portuguese word for worm) that I’ll never forget.

If you could collaborate with any famous cat (real or fictional) for a special art project, who would it be, and what kind of masterpiece do you envision creating together?

Lately, all the cats that I love answer or follow me, and I’m so grateful for that! Like Uni, Mr. Fishtopher and Mr. Lover, Raymond, Khaleesi, Paul, Sarge, and Benny (I probably forgot some; I’m so sorry, friends)!

I would love to collaborate with Luna (the Crunchy Cat) because she has the best expressions ever! I can even think of some poorly drawn animations.

Do you have any purrfect goals for your cat-themed art in 2024?

Yes! I’m learning how to do animations! I’m also planning on launching my plush! The plush is called “The Meowdy Cat Plush” and it’ll be available for purchase from Jan 22nd until Feb 13th via https://www.makeship.com/products/the-meowdy-cat-plush. I’ve partnered with Makeship, and they work with limited-edition plushies — so if you like cats and cowboys, don’t miss this chance!

How would you describe your experience with furrend?

Furrend is like gathering the nicest part of the internet in one app, and that’s amazing!

Thank you, Heloísa, for sharing your story with us 🧡

You can follow Heloísa on Twitter and Instagram. And of course, you can catch her stories on Furrend.

Stay tuned for more inspiring Furrend stories, where we celebrate those making a difference in the pet community.

Furrend Year 1: done. Thanks for joining our pawsome journey, we're truly grateful to have you on this adventure.

In 2023, we embarked on the Furrend journey, creating a unique space for pet lovers. From the excitement of our official launch in May to welcoming our first testers and pet content creators, joining the Cronos Accelerator program, integrating Livepeer SDK, and debuting our iOS beta app in August – each step was a paw in the right direction. 

As of today, December 29, over 880 adorable animal videos have been shared on Furrend. Now, you can earn Pawer and collect video NFTs on Base and Cronos. Our recent charity event, Paws for Furrends, raised over $5k, with more than 450 people collecting video NFTs and donating to NGOs. We're thankful for your incredible support. 

We've got plenty in store for you in 2024 – Android beta, app improvements, enhanced editing tools, more Pawer-related features, and beyond. Stay tuned. 

That's it for 2023. We hope you find time to unwind and celebrate your achievements. Happy New Year from the Furrend team! 🧡

What Inspires Paws for Furrends?

At Furrend, spreading joy and making a positive impact are at the core of what we do. Paws for Furrends is our way of giving back and supporting animal NGOs, shelters, and rescuers, such as Toucan Rescue Ranch, Catrix, and Ong Crazy Cat Gang, ensuring our furry friends receive the care and warmth they deserve.

Moreover, we believe in empowering creators — from top-tier influencers to emerging talents. As we venture further into the web3 realm, bringing those creators’ work onchain provides them in an experimental and contemporary way, unlocking vast possibilities for both the creators and their work.

https://x.com/hifurrend/status/1735715272894603567?s=20

How can you join and support the good cause?

It’s simple! Head over to https://paws-charity.furrend.xyz/ to find all the details. You can collect creators’ videos onchain via Base and Cronos, with its affordable and faster transaction fees. Thanks to Base and Cronos, they make it easy for you to collect videos and support the cause without breaking the bank.

What’s in it for you?

Apart from the warm and fuzzy feeling of doing good, you’ll also:

• 😻 Get early access to our app

• 💗 Receive a special NFT badge to honor your contribution to the charity event

And so much more 👀.

Paws for Furrends is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of love and cares for our furrends. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and make this charity event a moment to remember. Together, we can unleash goodness, one video NFT at a time!

Stay tuned and get ready to make a positive impact with Paws for Furrends!

If you need further assistance, contact us at hi@furrend.xyz, or message us via Twitter/X at https://twitter.com/hifurrend.