In 1989, Dennis and I got a British Shorthair cat named Blondie, who lived for an impressive 21 and a half years. In 2004, we learned that Blondie was diabetic, a diagnosis that initially terrified me because I had no prior knowledge about diabetes in cats. To find help, I joined a group called FelineDiabetes.com, which was founded by a veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Price, who had a diabetic cat, Austin, and struggled to find answers.

The website has a message board that quickly became a valuable resource for us. At the time, many veterinarians were not well-informed about feline and canine diabetes because they deal with various biological entities and may not specialize in these conditions. As a community, we began to share our experiences and knowledge.

I remember when the first veterinarians joined the board; they were enthusiasts who also had diabetic cats and wanted to learn more. Lori Ulrich Fuller, a great contributor, also created the site about her cat Jasper, who had peripheral neuropathy, and revitalized it after I noticed updates in 2013. Thanks to the support from FelineDiabetes.com, I felt less alone in caring for Blondie.

Over the past 20 years, the community has grown to include hundreds of veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians worldwide, available 24/7. This means that someone is always there to provide guidance during emergencies, even on weekends when most clinics are closed.

We also offer resources for those who may struggle to afford diabetic cat care. Our supply closet allows us to send equipment, such as needles, glucose testers, and even unused insulin, to those in need, especially when a beloved pet passes away. This community truly becomes a source of support for pet owners facing similar challenges.