Play with Kurt!

Who is your favorite cat influencer on social media?

Mine is Abram Engle and his cats Kurt and Gary. 

I'm not the only one addicted to the special bond between Abram and his two special boys, though.  Me and more than 10 million of my kitty-loving friends keep up with their everyday antics on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Who is Kurt?

If it's true that cats rule the internet, then Kurt might just be king.

Kurt is an orange tabby cat and he and his human, Abram, entertain millions of social media followers every day.

Like many rescued cats, Kurt didn't have the most auspicious start in life. He was lucky to cross paths with Abram, and they've enjoyed an extraordinary bond ever since.

Today, they share their home with Abram's wife, Haegan, and Kurt's kitty brother, Gary.

Kurt's special interests include getting chin scratches and loafing and testing new cat products for his growing social-media following.

Your very own Kurt!

Kurt is such a fun cat!

I would just love to play with Kurt, wouldn't you? I bet your cat would love to play with him, too.

That's why I designed this toy. From the ginger fur, to the adorable tabby stripes and tiny pink nose, this toy was designed to look just like Kurt.

Now you and your cat can have a playdate with your very own Kurt.

At the moment, we have a limited number of the Play with Kurt! toys, but more are being made every day.

What is special about this toy?

Play with Kurt! was handmade by felt artisans in Nepal of 100% pure New Zealand wool. It gets its special coloring from azo-free, cat-safe dyes.

But the best feature of this little cute little Kurt is its approximately six-foot long tail! The tail is absolutely irresistible to cats.

But it's even better when you play, too! Drag this toy by the tail and your cat will have a "living" kitty friend to chase. Indoor cats, especially, need a chance to run and pounce.

Play with Kurt! comes in its own zippered pouch, which you can keep and use to store this special toy when it's not in use.

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 toy.

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.

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 Catch a Mouse by the Tail toys.

Hand-sewn details

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

An artisan painstakingly creates the Kurt's adorable features, including the catchlight in his eyes, his upside-down pink triangle of a nose, and his sweet kitty smile. 

The whiskers are firmly anchored beside the nose. Give the whiskers a good tug and you'll see for yourself how carefully they've been sewn.

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. 

Play with Kurt! ships free with any box purchase.