15 South Aussie Insta-cats you should be following to purrfect your feed
From an Insta-famous feline trio earning their dinner treats to a bow tie-wearing RSPCA furbassador, follow these 15 SA cats to purrfect your feed.
Pets and Wildlife
Don't miss out on the headlines from Pets and Wildlife. Followed categories will be added to My News.
From the dawn of the internet, funny cat videos have brought a light to many people’s lives.
These days, you can get your cute kitty fix on Instagram, where you can indulge in all your crazy cat lady interests and scroll through hundreds of cat pics to your hearts content.
Many South Aussie pet lovers have taken to the popular social media platform to show off their feline friends, with some creating entire accounts dedicated to their purrfect pal.
In July The Advertiser crowned SA’s cutest cat – Luna-Marie a beloved British Shorthair and emotional support cat to Northgate teen Ella.
Want more whiskers than woofs on your Instagram? Here 15 adorable felines to follow.
LEROY, TEDDI AND NEO + LEANNE AND CAT DAD
Handle: @littleleezie
Followers: 32.8k
This Siamese trio may be South Australia’s most Insta-famous cats and they are helping earn their keep and dinner treats.
Leroy, Neo and Teddi rose to fame when their photographer mum swapped sunset snaps for feline photos.
You would be hard pressed to find bigger SA cat people than Leanne Stables and Wayne Lawson who is better known online as ‘Cat Dad’.
The Kilkenny couple say “their boys” have completed their family and they have also boosted Ms Stables’ Instagram following to 32.8k fellow cat lovers.
MEET SA’S INFLUENCERS TURNING INSTAGRAM INTO CAREERS
“I used to take photos of the sunsets, places around Adelaide and then one day, I don’t know why, but I decided to take a photograph of the cats,” Ms Stables said.
“People started liking it and that was just my niche.
“It just took off.”
They use the social media platform to collaborate with pet brands sometimes receiving money, gifts and cat food in return.
It may seem like an enticing deal for pet owners looking to make a quick buck but Mr Lawson said they only promote products their kitties genuinely love to ensure they’re honest with their followers.
Their online success even led to an international Instagram cat meet up in Europe in 2019.
“It’s not about the followers, it’s about the connections that we make,” Ms Stables said.
“People and our followers trust our judgement.
“The products we advertise, we try out first and if the boys don’t like them, then that relationship or collaboration doesn’t actually eventuate.
“We’ve got friends all over the world and when we went to Europe in 2019 we stayed and met a lot of cat friends.”
It was Mr Lawson who introduced Ms Stable to the speciality breed and their unique personalities over 12 years ago.
LISTED: SA’S TOP DOGS TO FOLLOW ON INSTA
“When I met Wayne, he had a Siamese, I thought, ‘oh yeah he knows what he’s doing,” Ms Stables said.
“It’s not like having a moggy, they’re very doglike in their mannerisms,” she said.
All three kitties have brought something special to their clowder, especially RSPCA adoptee Teddi showed a softer side to his usual “street cat” persona during Mr Lawson’s recent battle with lymphoma.
“When I was having treatment, I would spend a bit of time in bed and we noticed that (Teddi) really started snuggling in more … and would spend a lot of time with me,” Mr Lawson said.
“That’s the thing with the breed, they’re very in tune with your emotions and very intelligent.
“That’s why we love the breed.”
It is this candid and down-to-earth approach to the social media app that Mr Lawson and Ms Stables believe keeps their fans coming back for more.
“I think people see themselves through their cats,” Mr Lawson said.
“You sit down with a cat on your lap, and they sleep in your bed, where dogs do stuff and you’re active, but cats connect to your life.”
APOLLO THE BRITISH SHORTHAIR
Handle: @apollo.thebritishshorthair
Apollo only launched his Insta in May and had already amassed over 300 followers.
And there is no questioning why this feline is popular with his cute faces and fluffy mane, Apollo is set for social media stardom.
CAT CALLED KATO
Handle: @kato.quint.23
While his looks may remind you of a panther, Kato is a super smoothie kitty who loves brushes and kisses.
His striking green eyes and white patch on his stomach make this feline the perfect fit for the Instagram life with more than 2000 followers.
CHUCK THE BRITISH BLUE
Handle: @chuckthebritishblue
Twelve year old Chuck is the king of his household and his almost 4000 followers.
This cheeky cat is always up to mischief and has no problem waking up his human at 3am to demand breakfast.
Poor Chuck struggles with chronic megacolon but continues to be the light of his owner’s life.
ELLE’S NEW SON WALTER
Handle: @ellexbarker
His career on Insta may only just be starting, but his fur-mum Elle Barker has been a popular Adelaide influencer for years.
Recently, she adopted gorgeous Walter who has already won the hearts of her 23.5k followers.
Who can resist his ginger mane and perfectly squishy face?
FELICITY AND FLASH
Handle: @felicity_and_flash_rescue_cats
First came Flash and then came Felicity and together these rescue kitties have brought so much joy to their “unique family”.
When they’re not knocking over their mum and dad’s pot plants during the “zoomies” this cute pair can be found cuddled up on someone’s lap along with their pug sister.
GASTON NEBELUNG
Handle: @gaston_nebelung
This kitty’s owner has mastered the art of reels which means Gaston’s funniest moments are no longer restricted to still images.
There’s a lot to love about this “chonky” boy who is always up to something hilarious.
A must follow if you need a laugh in your life!
LEXI AND BOO’S LIFE
Handle: @life_of_lexi_and_boo
Lexi and Boo might just be the most photogenic cat-duo in South Australia.
These two are fit for the catwalk and know just how to strike the perfect pose.
They even enjoy getting around town celebrity-style in their kitty-pram.
MAX THE CAT
Handle: @the_maxcat
Maximus Almitus, or Max, was adopted from the Animal Welfare League in 2016 and has since lived a life in the lap of luxury.
He is the perfect sidekick to his pawrent and takes great pride in his gorgeous mane of black and white fur.
PEACHY FELINE
Handle: @thatpeachyfeline
Peachy may be a bengal cat, but according to her Instagram bio, her real breed it “beautiful princess”.
Born in 2021, Peachy got her love story after being adopted by passionate Swifties who always manage to capture her cutest angles and funniest antics.
PUMPKIN CAT
Handle: @pumpkin_cat_2022
Pumpkin by name and pumpkin by colour.
This adorable orange boy was adopted from popular SA non-for-profit Paws & Claw two years ago and has killed it on Instagram from day one.
Pumpkin enjoys keeping an eye on his neighbours from the front window and playing with his wide variety of toys.
SIR ARCHIE
Handle: @sir_archiekins
Archie may have been adopted in 2018 but according to his Instagram bio, he has been the one training his pawrents since then.
This handsome fellow, with more than 8000 followers, has a bow tie in every colour and for every occasion.
He also has a charitable side and is a furbassador for the RSPCA.
TARA’S SPECIAL SAFFY
Handle: @tazstarbilby
Strathalbyn artist, Tara Seekamp’s grid is not only dedicated to pictures of her artwork but also to snaps of her furry friends.
Her ginger kitten, Saffy loves adventuring and exploring outside while on her cat lead.
“It’s been very cute watching her discover a whole new world,” Ms Seekamp said in an Instagram post from June.
THREE PAINTED LEOPARDS
Handle: @paintedleopard
Punch, Bodie and Rufus have found their castle in Adelaide’s suburbs.
All three of these kitties sport their own beautiful bengal cat coat, which look even better when all snuggled up together in bed.
TWO BLUE BURMESE GIRLS
Handle: @2girlieblueburmese
Half-sisters, Coco and Cece rule the roost at their Adelaide home where they can often be spotted lounging in the sun or snuggling up with a blanket on a cold night.
Whatever they’re up to, these pretty ladies are always together and sporting their mirror image expressions.
More Coverage
Internet loses it over celeb look-alike cat
A South Aussie rescue kitten’s “clever name” and celebrity look-alike has won it a litter of fans.
Meet the top wine dogs of South Australia’s famed cellar doors
It’s a pawfect pairing – wine and pats – and these pups are on duty at some of the state’s best wineries specialising greeting wine lovers and eating leftovers.