Deborah Barnes is an award-winning author, blogger and cat-creative designer. She was elected as president of the Cat Writers Association of America (CWA) in June 2018. She will serve as president through June, 2020. She previously served as Vice President of the organization.She is also committed to serving her local community as Secretary of the nonprofit, Pawsitively Humane, Inc. of Miami, Florida, whose mission is to create public awareness and reduce the numbers of animals on the streets and in shelters through an extensive educational campaign.
Barnes is the creator of the award winning blog, Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles and created the innovative marketing concept – “Zee & Zoey’s Cat Ruler of the World Contest and Campaign for a Cause 2012” that raised over $10K in prizes and donations for shelters across the country. Barnes is also the author of the 3-time award winning book, Makin’ Biscuits – Weird Cat Habits and the Even Weirder Habits of the Humans Who Love Them, as well as the industry acclaimed books, Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond and The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary.Most recently Deborah has ventured into custom-designing cat-related T-shirts and accessories as featured on her Zee & Zoey’s Cat Creations shop.
She resides in South Florida with her fiancé and feline family of seven.
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
2018 Cat Writers’ Association – Fear Free Cat Enrichment Award for the article “Is Your Cat Feeling Stir Crazy? 10 Tips to Relieve Feline Boredom in an Everyday Environment.”
2017 Cat Writers’ Association – President’s Award: Makin’ Biscuits – Weird Cat Habits and the Even Weirder Habits of the Humans Who Love Them
2017 Cat Writers’ Association – Good News for Pets Human-Animal Bond Award: Makin’ Biscuits – Weird Cat Habits and the Even Weirder Habits of the Humans Who Love Them
2017 Cat Writers’ Association – Muse Award/Books/Other Category: Makin’ Biscuits – Weird Cat Habits and the Even Weirder Habits of the Humans Who Love Them
2017 Cat Writers’ Association Muse Award – “Break Out of Your Blogging Niche to Make Strides in Cat Welfare” as written for BlogPaw
2017 Cat Writers’ Association Muse Award – “Kitten Introductions” as written for the publication, Kittens 101
2015 Cat Writers’ Association – Adopt a Homeless Cat Award / “Any Cat Can be Feral…Even Yours”
2015 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Books / Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond
2015 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Magazine Article: Health & General Care / “New Kitty on the Block”
2015 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Online Article: “My Cats and Our Shared Water Cooler Moments”
2015 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Online Article: Rescue & Advocacy / “Any Cat Can be Feral…Even Yours”
BlogPaws 2015 Nose to Nose Social Media Awards Finalist – Best Cat Blog
2014 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Monthly Magazine: National / Cat Fancy “Don’t Delay”
2014 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Opinion Piece: “The Many Shades of a Crazy Cat Lady”
2014 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Online Article: Rescue & Advocacy / “World Spay Day: Setting the Record Straight—The Basic Facts on Cats, Conception and the Benefits of Spay/Neuter”
BlogPaws 2014 Nose to Nose Social Media Awards Finalist – Best Pet Blog Post
Petties Finalist 2014 – Best Designed Blog and Best Blog Post
2013 Friskies “Writer of the Year” Award
Petties Finalist 2013 – Best Designed Blog
BlogPaws 2013 Nose to Nose Social Media Awards Finalist – Best Blog Writing
2012 Pettie Award Winner – Best Designed Blog – Resulted in $1000 won for Abandoned Pet Rescue
2012 Pettie Finalist – Best Blog Post – The Controversy of Pedigree Cat Breeding
2012 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Online Article / Rescue: The Japan Disasters and the Surviving Cats
2012 Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence – Online Article / Rescue: Mainstreaming Feral Cats
BlogPaws 2012 Nose to Nose Social Media Awards Finalist – Best Blog Design
BlogPaws 2012 Nose to Nose Social Media Awards Finalist – Best Twitter Page
First Place Award – BlogPaws Photo Caption Contest 2011
Petties Finalist 2011 – Best Designed Blog
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For information about joining the Cat Writers’ Association, please visit www.catwriters.com.
