A hardcover book titled 'Tough Kitties' featuring a fluffy cat with a piece of orange string in its mouth on the cover. The book is laid on top of another copy with a similar cover design, both placed on a light gray surface.

Make your cat famous in the photo book of the year

Instinct Pet Photography & Maneki Neko Cat Rescue are publishing Tough Kitties: Book Two! This gorgeous hardcover photo book celebrates Melbourne cats of all kinds - including yours!

100% of book sales will go to Maneki Neko Cat Rescue plus $100 from every photo session.

Entries for Tough Kitties: Book Two are now open!

Purple circular logo with white text reading 'Instinct Pet Photography'.
Cartoon illustration of a happy white cat with a red collar and a black spot on its head, next to text that reads "Maneki Neko Cat Rescue".
White cat with blue eyes sitting on a robotic vacuum cleaner on a tiled floor
An orange tabby cat sitting on a wooden floor looking thoughtfully into the distance.
A gray long-haired cat with green eyes resting on a black fuzzy blanket or surface against a dark background.
A calico cat with green eyes walking on a wooden floor in a cozy home interior.
A white cat with green eyes sitting against a plain white background.
Gray cat walking on a wooden deck with greenery and a fence in the background.
Open magazine displaying a photo of a tabby cat on the left page and text on the right page, with a section titled 'Whiskers' and location Preston, VIC.

Tough Kitties: The Book

Cats are cute, they’re adorable, and you probably have a bunch of nicknames for your cat like Mister Squishypants or Princess Fluff.

But cats are tough. If you’ve shared your life with these incredible animals and cared for them during their highs and lows, you’re probably pretty dang tough yourself.

That’s what Tough Kitties is all about. Inside this gorgeous hardcover book, each cat will have their photograph and story celebrated, to remember forever.

Two books featuring a fluffy cat with a piece of orange string in its mouth on the cover, titled "TOUGH KITTIES" by Dave Mayes and Maneki Neko Cat Rescue.

Limited spots available in this one-of-a-kind book

Don’t miss out! If your cat’s Tough Kitties application is selected, your $200 registration fee will cover a professional cat photo session with Dave Mayes from Instinct Pet Photography in your home.

  • Applications open to all cats, not just rescues

  • 100% of all book sales and 50% of session fees go to Maneki Neko Cat Rescue

  • Successful applicants will receive a professional photo session for one cat in their home with Dave from Instinct Pet Photography

  • Your photo session includes one digital photograph, plus the option to purchase additional artwork from your photo session

  • Applications open to friendly cats in Melbourne

  • Ready to apply? Submit your cat’s Expression of Interest in the form at the top of this page.

Man in yellow jacket and gray beanie holding a camera, smiling, against a plain white background.

Your photographer

The photo portraits in Tough Kitties will be captured by Melbourne pet photographer Dave Mayes, from Instinct Pet Photography. Dave specialises in natural portraits of cats, dogs and the people they love - and he can’t wait to meet your incredible cat.

Your photo experience

Get ready for a seriously fun photo experience. Dave’s cat photo sessions are tailored to your home and your pet, with a variety of behavioural and lighting techniques that capture stunning photographs of your cat truly being themselves.

Living room with a framed photo of a cat hanging on a white wall, a mustard armchair, a side table with glasses and a book, large windows, and houseplants.

Stunning artwork for your home

Your photo session includes one digital photograph. You’ll also have the option to purchase additional artwork from Instinct Pet Photography, including coffee table books, framed wall art and photo boxes.

Plus it’s for a good cause: 5% of all artwork purchases over $500 are donated to Maneki Neko Cat Rescue, in addition to all book sales.

A man with tattoos on his arms holding a fluffy white and cream-colored cat indoors near a window.

Can owners join the photo sessions?

While the Tough Kitties book is all about the cats, owners are a huge part of every cat’s life!

You’re welcome to join your cat’s photo session if you wish. While those photographs will not appear in Tough Kitties (the cats are the stars!) you’ll have the option to purchase these photographs with artwork for your home.