Secret Paws, a gift exchange for cats and their humans, is back!

It’s never too late to think about the holidays, and what better way to give the best gift of all to your cat(s) than by participating in Secret Paws, kind of like a pen pal gift exchange from fellow cat-lovers and their felines.

I am so excited to host and sponsor Secret Paws 2024, because my cats just love getting gifts! A few years ago, my cats received a squawking bird, and they spent endless hours playing with it, say anything about the yummy treats and cool cards and books we’ve received.

We at Paws Catosphere for Cat Lovers have been happy to host the Secret Paws Gift Exchange since 2022. And while the number of people blogging has seriously declined, Paws Cat-O-Sphere wants to keep offering the gift exchange, at least for this year so kitties and their humans can get a surprise.

The past few years have been challenging, and we want to bring out the fun purr-fectly fun kitty gift exchange, by sharing in our many different ways across social media.

Here’s an example of how to use video to showcase the lovely gifts you receive in the exchange Here, I am sharing a link to my YouTube video from 2021 which shows my kitties pawing it up with their goodies, plus an overview of how Secret Paws works.

Who Can Participate

Kitties who are part of a blog can participate in the Secret Paws Exchange. It doesn’t matter if you are posting regularly as long as there is a social media address where people can visit and get to know your cats.

However, what we do ask is that you forward a copy or at least a photo of your cats with their gifts.

Paws is opening Secret Paws to kitties with:

• Blogs – One blog post with at least one share to social media, preferably in video format
• Instagram – 3 shares to IG, preferable with at least one reel
• YouTube – One video with at least one link to your social media account
• Facebook – 3 shares on FB, preferably with one video and one story

We welcome all video, slide shows, and print content showcasing your beloved kitties with their new gifts. We also encourage you to share Secret Paws posts on all your social media accounts. It’s hard to promote Secret Paws without photos from participants.

Please email Paws your links and we will add them to this page.

Once you sign up, we will forward this Secret Paws Badge to share on your blog or other social media accounts.

Here’s how it will work.

We will try to match media, (FB to FB and IG to IG) but we encourage you to share your Secret Paws on your social media accounts even if your main promotional medium is your blog or YouTube.. Examples include:

• Getting ready to shop for Secret Paws, but keep your gift recipient secret.
• Received my Secret Paws Package today.
• Kitties playing and enjoying their gifts.
  
• How Can I Participate?

If you would like to participate in Secret Paws 2024, please email the following information to Paws at our email address (bjbangs1@gmail.com) no later than December 8, 2024 

Please put Secret Paws 2024 in the Subject Line. 

You may fill out the answers to the questions below, and they will be included in your email.

Questions about your kitties
Because your Secret Paws friend needs to know

• Your Name.
• Name of cat(s).  Please specify the name of the cats and the number of cats. 
• Email address.  
• Name of Cat Blog
• Blog address 
• Facebook page
• IG Handle
• YouTube Channel and address
• Complete Mailing address:  It’s important to include your human’s first and last name because some post offices will not deliver to an address without this; especially if you live outside of the United States.
• Phone Number:  This is for mailing purposes.  Some packages required a phone number
• Would you be willing to ship a package to a kitty from another country?  (Remember postage is higher and packages must be shipped earlier when shipping internationally)
• Favorite Color 
• Favorite Treat 
• Favorite Toy 
• Information on items that should be avoided (specific flavors, toys, treats, etc.)
• Anything else you would like your Secret Paw to know about you.

Let’s try to limit this to $35. With Petflation out of control, this might be difficult, but you get the drift.

Important Information

Please send your information to Paws at bjbangs1@gmail.com by December 7, 2024.  The earlier the better.

Mom BJ will help sort everything out within a week and we will email everyone their partner by December 8, 2024, so you can shop for your new kitty pals before the last-minute holiday rush. 

Keep the Secret Paws “secret” this year until you receive yours and then post about your package on this blog and/or yours.  The Secret Paws person/kitty that you send to may not be the same kitty you receive from.  Please try to make sure everyone receives their Secret Paws package by December 20, 2024.  

We will also send everyone an invitation to email a link to their photos of Secret Pawst so we can post pictures and a thank you once you receive yours.

Lots has changed in the online world and blogging community since 2017, and we want to invite shares on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in addition to your blog or other online content.

Here’s why.

While we could not find the exact time Secret Paws started, I did find our beloved cat person Paula Gregg listed it back to 2017. Sadly, Paula lost her short battle with pancreatic cancer in May, 2022 and many scrambled to pick up some of the many programs she spearheaded.

Paws incorrectly thought this was a project of the Cat Blogosphere, but I have been advised that was incorrect.

Paula and her beloved Persian Cats, Truffles, Brulee, and her beloved Praline who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge some years ago was instrumental in getting Secret Paws off the ground. It was in her memory Paula started her blog, Sweet Purrfections, to share much-needed information about cats, particularly Persians.

Lots has changed in the online world and blogging community since 2017, and we want to invite shares on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, in addition to your blog or other online content.

I look forward to hearing from you all, and wish you all a very MEOWy Christmas.

Special Note:  If you know of someone who could use a surprise package during the holidays but may not be able to participate, please let us know.