A Tampa-based wedding pet care company has made furry family members and adoptable pets a part of weddings. It might sound like a scene from Bridesmaids, the funny movie where Melissa McCarthy’s character Megan takes 9 puppies home from the wedding. But in this case, the company works hard to ensure “responsible pet ownership.”
The best friends, Kelly and Ilana, who started the novel company FairyTail Pet Care in 2015, previously volunteered at local animal shelters.
Screenshots via YouTube/FairyTail Pet Care
Plush Cat Toss Instead of Bouquet
For one wedding, Cassie and Jonathon Roth had an unusual idea to have a “cat toss” instead of the traditional bouquet toss at their wedding. FairyTail Pet Care heard the idea and loved it, but don’t worry, the only cat being tossed is a plushie. Once the bride tossed the plushie, a bridesmaid made a dramatic leap and later, even adopted a real cat!
The company brought five adoptable kittens to the wedding, caring for them and socializing with the guests. As a result, two other guests adopted kittens.
Screenshots via YouTube/FairyTail Pet Care
Sometimes, they have partnered with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, bringing adoptable kittens and puppies to help them find homes. You can imagine how delighted guests are; sometimes, it also leads to donations for the shelter. Today, those donations total over $20K, with over a thousand pets included at weddings and special events.
They also specialize in providing wedding day pet care for family pets so couples can include furry family members on their big day without worrying about herding kittens or puppies.
FairyTail Pet Care’s TikTok about the cat toss went viral and was featured in Newsweek. The guests at the wedding knew that the person who caught the plush cat would adopt a cat, but they didn’t know there were more adoptable kitties at the wedding! As you can see in the video, there was also cat-themed decor.
When the moment came for the cat toss, they said it was “the most intense toss we’ve ever witnessed.” That bridesmaid wanted to adopt a kitten badly!
See for yourself below in the video by FairyTail Pet Care:
How to Have Your Cat At Your Wedding
Below, Kelly and Ilana discuss how to include your cat on your Wedding Day. They also talk about cats they included at past weddings. Most times, adult cats aren’t comfortable in a wedding environment, but a few thrive with all the interaction.
Although they usually work with dogs and puppies, they have helped at least four cats participate in weddings. Sometimes, cats briefly appear for photographs and then return home. All must be previously harness trained and leashed to feel comfortable wearing it during the wedding. For cats that aren’t comfortable, they suggest that a photographer can visit the home before the wedding to include pictures at the ceremony.
Other ideas are to have a cardboard cutout of your cat or have a custom cocktail with your cat’s likeness as the theme.
Video by FairyTail Pet Care:
Sphynx Cat Bam Bam Attends Wedding
A standout cat was a hairless Sphynx cat named Bam Bam. As a therapy cat, Bam Bam was outgoing and affectionate. He wore a custom monogrammed velour suit to the wedding and was going to walk down the aisle. Then, Bam Bam got a little nervous, so FairyTail prioritized his comfort and held him beside the aisle. It all worked out as the bride got to see Bam Bam, and then later, he mingled with the family and even the horse guiding a beautiful carriage!
Sphynx cat named Bam Bam attends wedding with FairyTail Pet Care of Tampa
For more, you can follow FairyTail Pet Care on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
Video by FairyTail Pet Care about Bam Bam:
