Cat dads have a harder time finding dates on dating apps. Some even report that dates have taken one look at their cat, and that’s the end. A joint study by Colorado State University and Boise State University proved this fact as truth by asking roughly a thousand women their thoughts on profile pictures of men with and without cats. Overall, their respondents found men holding cats less masculine, making them, therefore, less dateable.
But a trio of cat lovers, two of them well-known faces in the feline world, have come together to create a space where cat lovers can connect without worrying potential dates will scorn their beloved felines. And with a “Shark Tank” mogul ready to bankroll the app, Tabby Dates is prepared to take things to the next level.
Cat Parents Making Connections
Tabby Dates co-founder Leigh Isaacson got the idea to create a dating app for cat people after learning cat-loving men struggled to make meaningful connections on dating apps. Previously launching Dig, a dating platform for dog lovers, Isaacson and team launched Tabby Dates in August of 2020 so cat lovers could find relationship bliss too.
Cat rescue influencers Sterling “The TrapKing” Davis and Nathan “The CatLady” Kehn joined the Tabby Dates team as they’ve had some horrific dates with non-cat people in the past themselves.
“Guys like me have crazy issues with dating. I’ve had ladies walk out on me. Like the date is amazing, we go to my house, but then they see my cat Rick James walk out and they want to leave,” shared Sterling. “I’ve been through that so many times—Tabby is something that breaks those stereotypes.”
Nathan has had his share of disappointing dates, too, explaining, “People always give people with cats a bad name. Calling them Crazy Cat Ladies because they are so dedicated to their cats.”
But Nathan finds that cat-love appealing for the level of commitment it shows.
“Honestly, I would love to find someone who is as dedicated in a relationship as cat owners are to their cats,” said Nathan.
On Tabby Dates, members can search for connections with fellow cat lovers and find a place to discuss all things cat. Plus, the company donates a portion of its proceeds to rescues and shelters helping cats in need.
Big Cash for Purrfect Dating App
Now, their appearance on “Shark Tank” has brought Tabby Dates before a mainstream eye while bringing them a deal that will help the dating app on the tech front. Sterling, Nathan, and Leigh appeared before the sharks to pitch their app and share the difficulties cat people find in the dating world. Hearing cat people get less love, shark and cat lover Lori Greiner replied, “I don’t get this cat shame.”
And neither does fellow shark Kevin O’Leary, who’s become a cat lover “because it has a lot of cash-flow.” He’s also the smart shark with a stake in Basepaws, the makers of at-home DNA tests for your cat. And O’Leary has now proclaimed himself “king of the litter” thanks to his new investment with Tabby Dates.
When Greiner didn’t bite on Tabby Dates, O’Leary sure did. He struck a deal with the trio worth $300,000 with a 30% stake in the app. That’s a lot of catnip!
Check out Tabby Dates and see if it’s right for you. Your cat will be happy you did!
H/T: www.meaww.com
Feature Image: @nathanthecatlady/Instagram