BRAND NEW PRODUCT!

Hunting an axolotl is a unique experience that your cat can only have in your house.

These ridiculously adorable little salamanders can only be found in the wild in Lake Xochimilco and the canals and waterways of Mexico City, where they are a critically endangered species.

But your kitty can hunt this Little 'Lotl to his or her heart's content, and it will still "live" to play another day!

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A Little 'Lotl is handmade by felt artisans in Nepal of 100% pure New Zealand wool, and gets its vivid coloring from azo-free, cat-safe dyes.

Your cat is going to love the five-foot long tether attached to this toy! The tether, which twirls and swirls and dangles along behind your cat, is super exciting for solo play.

But it's even better when you play, too! Drag this toy by the tether to simulate prey, and you'll stimulate your cat's natural hunting instinct. Indoor cats, especially, need opportunities to act out their natural hunting instincts and to get the kind of exercise a toy like this can provide.

A Little 'Lotl comes in its own zippered pouch, which you can keep and use to store this special toy when it's not in use.

An axo - what?

An axolotl is a charming little salamander that never grows up. They're basically salamander tadpoles their whole lives. 

Their superpower is their ability to regrow body parts when needed: not just their adorable little legs, but their eyes and even parts of their brains.

Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild. Let your cat help spread the word about these special creatures!

When you purchase this toy, you help others

We partner with a special World Fair Trade-certified non-profit organization in Nepal to make this axolotl.

Low-income artisans, mostly women, get a living wage when they make this toy. They also get a retirement fund, medical allowance, and financial incentives to keep their daughters in school.

Buying this product helps real people support their families and plan for their futures.

This is a photo of Mrs. Chandra Kumari, felting wool for our products.

What does azo-free mean?

Many textile dyes in use today are known to cause cancer and birth defects. These dyes, known for containing carcinogenic chemicals called "azos," have been listed under California's Proposition 65 Warning. They have also been banned by the European Union, and some other countries, including Japan, India, and Vietnam.

"Azo-free" dyes do not contain any of these dangerous compounds. They are more expensive to use, but they're better for the environment and may be better for humans who are allergic to, or sensitive to dyes. 

We only use azo-free dyes to make A Little 'Lotl toys.

Hand-sewn details

Each axolotl is completely handmade, right down to the hand-sewn details on the face. 

An artisan painstakingly creates the axolotl's cute features, including two black eyes and an adorable smile.

Here's a photo of Mrs. Sabina Maharjan using her skill with a needle and thread to add some personality to the face of one of our other cat toys.

Why New Zealand wool?

Wool is a 100% natural and renewable resource. It's biodegradable and recyclable and it even has nutrients in it that are essential to plant life. And it grows back every year!

New Zealand is an ideal environment for sheep to live and grow. The air and water are pristine, the climate is temperate, and abundant rainfall ensures rich pastures for grazing. This, in turn, helps create some of the finest wool in the world: New Zealand is known for producing the whitest, cleanest wools that hold dyes better than other wools.

In New Zealand, sheep farming is a way of life. New Zealanders have been raising sheep for generations, passing down the knowledge and experience that contributes to a culture of excellence in this industry.

There's also a strong emphasis on sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices, which help maintain healthy pastures and robust herds.

And finally, New Zealand has some of the strictest animal welfare laws in the world.  In 2007, New Zealand passed a law banning "mulesing," a cruel, mutilating procedure that is still performed on millions of lambs in other countries around the world. 

A Little 'Lotl ships free with any box purchase.

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Mr. Whiskers was at my feet, trying to get my attention.

"Mrow," he said, and waited a few moments. "Mrow," he repeated.

I looked over. "Mrow," he said, adding, very plainly, "meoooooowwwwww."

"Huh? No! Are you kidding? Absolutely not!"

I couldn't believe my ears. Mr. Whiskers was asking if I could bring a few mice into the house, just for fun. He was bored, he said, and he promised he wouldn't hurt them. Not really, anyway.

"That's not the point," I explained. "We can't have rodents in the house. In fact, most people go to great lengths to keep mice OUT of the house."

His face remained impassive.

"You're an indoor cat," I reminded him. "A civilized cat."

I swear Mr. Whiskers rolled his eyes at me before sauntering over to my laptop.

I peeked over his shoulder and there it was, right on the screen. 

"Catch a Mouse by the Tail," I read. 

Well OK then. I guess there are some mice I wouldn't mind having in the house.